Court Opinion

ID: 5117824
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2021-10-12 17:14:29.291782+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:22:04.321859
License: Public Domain

[Cite as State v. Long, 2021-Ohio-3651.]

                                     IN THE COURT OF APPEALS

                            TWELFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT OF OHIO

                                           WARREN COUNTY

 STATE OF OHIO,                                  :     CASE NO. CA2021-02-014

         Appellee,                               :             OPINION
                                                               10/12/2021
                                                 :
   - vs -
                                                 :

 RONALD G. LONG, II,                             :

         Appellant.                              :

      CRIMINAL APPEAL FROM WARREN COUNTY COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
                           Case No. 18 CR 34790

David P. Fornshell, Warren County Prosecuting Attorney, and Kirsten A. Brandt, Assistant
Prosecuting Attorney, for appellee.

Young & Caldwell, LLC, and Tyler E. Cantrell, for appellant.

        M. POWELL, P.J.

        {¶ 1} Appellant, Ronald G. Long, appeals a decision of the Warren County Court of

Common Pleas dismissing his petition for postconviction relief.

        {¶ 2} In 2018, the Warren County Grand Jury indicted Long on one count of rape

of a person less than 13 years of age, and three counts of gross sexual imposition. The
                                                                         Warren CA2021-02-014

charges related to allegations that Long sexually abused A.H., between January 1, 2011,

and February 23, 2018. On May 6, 2019, the case proceeded to a three-day jury trial.

         {¶ 3} At trial, A.H. testified that Long made sexual contact with her for approximately

seven years, starting when she was around five years old. A.H. described Long calling her

into his bedroom before school and asking her to cuddle with him. Long would have A.H.

lay down next to him on the bed and would massage her buttocks and vaginal area with his

hands over and under her panties. In his defense, Long advanced a theory that A.H. made

up the allegations to please her father, who wanted custody of A.H. in order to reduce or

eliminate his child support payment.

         {¶ 4} Long was found guilty of two counts of gross sexual imposition and acquitted

of the remaining two charges. The trial court sentenced Long to three years on each of the

gross sexual imposition convictions, to run consecutively, for an aggregate six-year prison

sentence.

         {¶ 5} Long appealed his convictions and sentence, raising five assignments of

error.   State v. Long, 12th Dist. Warren No. CA2019-08-078, 2020-Ohio-2678.                 Long

asserted in his direct appeal that his convictions were against the manifest weight of the

evidence and were not supported by sufficient evidence because A.H.'s testimony was

inconsistent and lacked credibility. Id. at ¶ 13-29. In overruling this assignment of error,

we held that by virtue of the verdict, the jury found portions of A.H.'s testimony lacked

credibility regarding one count of gross sexual imposition and the rape charge, but that A.H.

was credible when she testified about two of the instances of gross sexual imposition. Id.

at ¶ 28. Thus, although A.H.'s "testimony and interviews exhibited some inconsistencies,

the jury was in the best position to judge the credibility of her trial testimony and her

explanation for the inconsistencies." Id. at ¶ 27.

         {¶ 6} Long also claimed in his direct appeal that the trial court erred in failing to seat

                                                -2-
                                                                    Warren CA2021-02-014

a fair jury when it denied his motion to strike a juror for cause; the trial court erred in

permitting the state to use a demonstrative exhibit during trial; and that his sentence was

excessive. Id. at ¶ 6, 32, 42. This court overruled each of Long's assignments of error and

affirmed his conviction and sentence on April 27, 2020. Id. at ¶ 51. On September 1, 2020,

the Ohio Supreme Court declined jurisdiction of Long's discretionary appeal. State v. Long,

159 Ohio St.3d 1488, 2020-Ohio-4232.

       {¶ 7} On August 12, 2020, Long sought postconviction relief ("PCR petition"),

claiming that Lisa Wells, his lead trial counsel, provided ineffective assistance of counsel.

Long claimed that Wells failed to investigate witnesses and evidence as suggested by

Long's family; failed to retain an expert witness; and failed to attend his sentencing hearing

due to her substance abuse and pending criminal charges. Long attached the affidavits of

Kristina Long and Mabel Long, two newspaper articles, and additional documentation

related to Wells' personal struggles with substance abuse and criminal charges.

       {¶ 8} Kristina Long is Long's wife and the mother of A.H. Her affidavit avers that

she was involved with the preparation of Long's case and that she observed several items

of concern, including Wells joking about her drug abuse. Kristina states that Wells began

meeting with her approximately two weeks prior to trial, and that during those meetings

Wells' co-counsel and paralegal "had to continually show [Wells] where and what was going

on[.]" Kristina avers she informed Wells of additional witnesses and evidence which would

have shown many of A.H.'s allegations to be impossible and false, including the production

of Long's gym records and testimony from Long's boss and the children's babysitter;

however, Wells indicated such evidence was not needed. Kristina further avers Wells did

not review the Mayerson video until one week before trial, received a DVD copy of the

Mayerson video the day of trial, and failed to call an expert witness, despite the family's

willingness to pay for one and their suggestion that one was necessary.

                                             -3-
                                                                        Warren CA2021-02-014

          {¶ 9} Regarding Wells' substance abuse, Kristina avers in her affidavit that "[d]uring

trial it seemed that Ms. Wells may have been under the influence of substances" and that

she discovered after Long's trial that "Wells ha[d] violated her probation due to substance

abuse, which appears to have been occurring during the same time as [Long's] trial and the

preparation for the same." Kristina further avers that she approached Wells' co-counsel

regarding Long's appeal, who "made it clear that if [they] wanted to go against Ms. Wells

that he would not file the appeal" and further discouraged Long from raising an ineffective

assistance of counsel claim on appeal.

          {¶ 10} Mabel Long is Long's mother. Her affidavit is substantially similar to Kristina's

and contains several of the same averments. Specifically, Mabel also avers that she was

involved in most of the meetings, conversations, and preparation of Long's case, and had

similar concerns with Wells' performance. Mabel states she desired to fire Wells at one

point, and discussed her concerns with Wells' co-counsel, but was assured that Wells was

a "'good attorney' and 'did a great job'" and that "there was nothing to be worried about."

Like Kristina, Mabel also avers that Wells began meeting with her approximately two weeks

before trial, that Wells' co-counsel and paralegal had to assist her during those meetings,

and that Wells declined to consider additional evidence and witnesses as suggested by the

family.

          {¶ 11} Relating to Long's direct appeal, Mabel avers she requested Wells' co-

counsel to file an appeal on the conviction, but co-counsel indicated he would not file the

appeal if she "was going to go against Ms. Wells[.]" Mabel states that, after the appeal was

filed, she questioned co-counsel about the ineffective assistance of counsel claim "being

left out and was told that he must have misunderstood what [they] wanted." Lastly, Mabel's

affidavit echoes Kristina's concerns regarding Wells' substance abuse during Long's trial,

but further avers that she "truly believe[s] that Ms. Wells was dealing with substance abuse

                                                 -4-
                                                                               Warren CA2021-02-014

issues during the pendency of [Long's] case and that it greatly affected the outcome of the

same."

        {¶ 12} One of the newspaper articles, dated November 7, 2019, details Wells'

ongoing criminal charges in Miami County. The article indicates that Wells was charged

with felony drug possession and was granted intervention in lieu of conviction ("ILC") in April

2017.1 By April 2019, Wells had not complied with the terms of her ILC and due to missing

a mandatory hearing in July 2019, an arrest warrant was issued. Wells submitted to a drug

test in late August 2019 and tested positive for cocaine, marijuana, and oxycodone. In

September 2019 Wells was admitted into a substance abuse rehabilitation facility. After

her release, she missed an additional hearing, which resulted in her arrest in October 2019.

Wells was later sentenced to three years of probation due to the above incidents.2

        {¶ 13} The second newspaper article, dated August 1, 2019, discusses the events

resulting in Wells' criminal charges, as well as her failure to attend the July 2019 hearing

and the issuance of an arrest warrant.

        {¶ 14} Long also attached several documents from Wells' criminal case in Miami

County, including entries revoking Wells' bond; setting a sentencing and show cause

hearing; granting a continuance of that hearing; and detailing her community control

violations. Long also included an affidavit of Wells, which she submitted to the Ohio

Supreme Court in her disciplinary case. In the affidavit, Wells avers she has not engaged

in the practice of law since August 1, 2019, and that she complied with the various

conditions required by the Court.

1. Due to Wells' placement in ILC, she was not suspended from the practice of law at that time.

2. In November 2019, the Miami County Court of Common Pleas determined that Wells had violated the terms
of her ILC. The court revoked her ILC and found Wells guilty of four counts of aggravated drug possession.
In December 2019, the Ohio Supreme Court confirmed Wells' felony conviction and imposed an interim
suspension against Wells' ability to practice law.
                                                    -5-
                                                                         Warren CA2021-02-014

       {¶ 15} The trial court dismissed the PCR petition without an evidentiary hearing. The

trial court initially determined that Long's petition was untimely, as Long filed the petition

more than 365 days after the trial transcript was filed. The trial court also determined that,

even if the petition was timely, Long's claim of ineffective assistance of counsel was barred

by the doctrine of res judicata, because any prejudice created by Wells' alleged substance

abuse and criminal issues could have, and should have, been brought to the trial court's

attention prior to and during trial, or on direct appeal. Finally, the trial court held that even

if res judicata did not bar Long's petition, his ineffective assistance of counsel claim still fails

as Kristina's and Mabel's affidavits were not credible, and the petition and its supporting

evidence did not set forth sufficient operative facts to establish that Wells' assistance was

ineffective.

       {¶ 16} Long now appeals, raising three assignments of error for our review. For the

ease of review, we will address Long's assignments of error out of order.

       {¶ 17} Assignment of Error No. 2:

       {¶ 18} THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN DISMISSING THE DEFENDANT-

APPELLANT'S POST-CONVICTION RELIEF PETITION ON THE GROUND THAT IT WAS

UNTIMELY.

       {¶ 19} In his second assignment of error Long argues the trial court erred in finding

his petition was untimely and in dismissing his petition on that basis.

       {¶ 20} R.C. 2953.21(A)(1)(a) provides, in pertinent part:

               [a]ny person who has been convicted of a criminal offense * * *
               and who claims that there was such a denial or infringement of
               the person's rights as to render the judgment void or voidable
               under the Ohio Constitution or the Constitution of the United
               States * * * may file a petition in the court that imposed sentence,
               stating the grounds for relief relied upon, and asking the court
               to vacate or set aside the judgment or sentence or to grant other
               appropriate relief. The petitioner may file a supporting affidavit
               and other documentary evidence in support of the claim for

                                                -6-
                                                                                  Warren CA2021-02-014

                relief.

R.C. 2953.21(A)(2) provides that a PCR petition shall be filed no later than 365 days after

the date on which the trial transcript is filed in the court of appeals in the direct appeal of

the judgment of conviction.

         {¶ 21} Here, the record reflects the transcript was filed with this court in Long's direct

appeal on August 12, 2019. Long did not file his PCR petition with the trial court until August

12, 2020, one day after the 365-day deadline had passed.3 On appeal, Long initially argues

his petition is timely because he filed the petition on the "one year anniversary of the filing

of the transcripts in this matter." However, Ohio law is clear that PCR petitions must be

filed within 365 days after the trial transcript is filed in the court of appeals, not on the date's

"one year anniversary." R.C. 2953.21(A)(2). As a result, Long's first argument is without

merit.

         {¶ 22} Next, Long argues there was an error on the online docket of the trial court,

which at one point indicated the transcript was filed with this court on August 13, 2019.

Long attached to his merit brief two versions of the trial court's online docket in this case,

one which notes the transcript was filed on August 13, 2019, and one which notes the

transcript was filed on August 12, 2019. According to Long, because the docket at one time

reflected the August 13, 2019 date, the trial court erred in concluding his PCR petition was

untimely.

         {¶ 23} After a review of the record, we reject Long's argument. Long does not

dispute that the transcripts were time stamped on August 12, 2019, or that the transcripts

were filed on that date.4 Although we are mindful of the apparent discrepancy between the

3. 2020 was a leap year adding an additional day between the filing of the transcript in Long’s direct appeal
and the filing of his PCR petition.

4. Long does not argue on appeal that he relied upon the incorrect online docket in timing the filing of his PCR
petition.
                                                      -7-
                                                                     Warren CA2021-02-014

previous online docket notation of August 13, 2019, and the current notation of August 12,

2019, Long did not inquire with the clerk's office regarding the discrepancy, nor did he

attempt to obtain an explanation, via an affidavit or otherwise, from the clerk's office

regarding the timing or reason for the subsequent date change. The record contains

additional documentation evidencing the August 12, 2019 date, including a notarized notice

from the official court reporter stating the various transcripts were filed on that date. Under

these circumstances, we find the record adequately reflects that the transcripts were filed

on August 12, 2019. Consequently, Long was required to file his PCR petition within 365

days of that date, which, as noted above, he failed to do. As such, the trial court did not err

in concluding his petition was untimely and dismissing his petition on that basis.

       {¶ 24} Long's second assignment of error is overruled.

       {¶ 25} Assignment of Error No. 1:

       {¶ 26} THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN OVERRULING DEFENDANT'S POST-

CONVICTION       RELIEF     PETITION     AS    THE    DEFENDANT-APPELLANT'S             TRIAL

COUNSEL PROVIDED INEFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE OF COUNSEL.

       {¶ 27} Assignment of Error No. 3:

       {¶ 28} THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN DENYING DEFENDANT-APPELLANT'S

PETITION ON THE GROUND OF RES JUDICATA.

       {¶ 29} Because they are interrelated, we will discuss Long's remaining assignments

of error together. In his first and third assignments of error, Long argues the trial court

abused its discretion in summarily dismissing his PCR petition without a hearing.

       {¶ 30} A postconviction proceeding is not an appeal of a criminal conviction, but

rather, is a collateral civil attack on a criminal judgment. State v. Dillingham, 12th Dist.

Butler Nos. CA2012-02-037 and CA2012-02-042, 2012-Ohio-5841, ¶ 8. An evidentiary

hearing is not automatically guaranteed each time a defendant files a PCR petition. State

                                              -8-
                                                                       Warren CA2021-02-014

v. Wilson, 12th Dist. Madison No. CA2013-10-034, 2014-Ohio-2342, ¶ 16. A trial court

properly denies a PCR petition without a hearing if the supporting affidavits, the

documentary evidence, the files, and the records of the case do not demonstrate that the

petitioner set forth sufficient operative facts to establish substantive grounds for relief. State

v. Hicks, 12th Dist. Butler No. CA2004-07-170, 2005-Ohio-1237, ¶ 9, citing State v.

Calhoun, 86 Ohio St.3d 279 (1999), paragraph two of the syllabus.

       {¶ 31} As noted above, Long supported his PCR petition with affidavits from his wife,

Kristina, and his mother, Mabel. The Ohio Supreme Court has stated that in reviewing a

PCR petition, "a trial court should give due deference to affidavits sworn to under oath and

filed in support of the petition, but may, in the sound exercise of discretion, judge the

credibility of the affidavits in determining whether to accept the affidavits as true statements

of fact." Calhoun at paragraph one of the syllabus.          "In determining the credibility of

supporting affidavits in postconviction relief proceedings," courts "should consider all

relevant factors[,]" including:

              whether the judge reviewing the postconviction relief petition
              also presided at the trial, (2) whether multiple affidavits contain
              nearly identical language, or otherwise appear to have been
              drafted by the same person, (3) whether the affidavits contain
              or rely on hearsay, (4) whether the affiants are relatives of the
              petitioner, or otherwise interested in the success of the
              petitioner's efforts, and (5) whether the affidavits contradict
              evidence proffered by the defense at trial. Moreover, a trial court
              may find sworn testimony in an affidavit to be contradicted by
              evidence in the record by the same witness, or to be internally
              inconsistent, thereby weakening the credibility of that testimony.

Id. at 285.

       {¶ 32} Depending on the entire record, one or more of these or other factors may be

sufficient to justify the conclusion that an affidavit asserting information outside the record

lacks credibility. Id. Such a decision is within the discretion of the trial court. Id.

       {¶ 33} Applying the factors to this case, we find the trial court did not abuse its

                                               -9-
                                                                       Warren CA2021-02-014

discretion in discounting Kristina's and Mabel's affidavits. First, the record reflects the same

judge reviewing the PCR petition in this case also presided over Long's trial. Additionally,

the two affidavits are nearly identical in language and averments and appear to have been

drafted by the same person. The affiants are also Long's close relatives, being his wife and

mother, who are clearly interested in the success of Long's PCR efforts. As noted by the

trial court, Kristina has significant interest in Long's success, as she testified at trial in his

defense and clearly indicated she did not believe her daughter's allegations against him.

Lastly, many of the averments in the affidavits are summary and conclusory, and do not set

forth any basis for the affiants' conclusions. When considering these factors, the trial court

did not abuse its discretion in concluding the affidavits were not credible and declining to

accept the affidavits as true statements of fact.

       {¶ 34} Turning to the alleged constitutional deficiency underlying Long's PCR

petition, Long asserts that he was denied effective assistance of counsel. To prevail on an

ineffective of assistance of counsel claim, an appellant must show (1) a deficiency in his

trial counsel's performance, and (2) that there is a reasonable probability that, but for his

trial counsel's errors, he would not have been convicted. State v. Xie, 62 Ohio St.3d 521,

524 (1992), citing Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 687, 104 S.Ct. 2052 (1984). A

trial counsel's performance will not be deemed deficient unless it fell below an objective

standard of reasonableness. State v. Mathes, 12th Dist. Clermont No. CA2013-02-014,

2013-Ohio-4128, ¶ 13. Thus, there is a "strong presumption that counsel's conduct falls

within the wide range of reasonable professional assistance." State v. Cunningham, 12th

Dist. Butler No. CA2017-03-034, 2018-Ohio-912, ¶ 25. Even debatable trial tactics and

strategies do not fall outside this wide range of reasonable assistance. Id. The failure to

satisfy either prong of the Strickland test is fatal to an ineffective assistance of counsel

claim. Id.

                                              - 10 -
                                                                    Warren CA2021-02-014

       {¶ 35} A trial court's decision resolving a postconviction claim of ineffective

assistance of counsel "will be upheld absent an abuse of discretion when the trial court's

finding is supported by competent and credible evidence." State v. Widmer, 12th Dist.

Warren No. CA2012-02-008, 2013-Ohio-62, ¶ 133.             "The term 'abuse of discretion'

connotes more than an error of law or of judgment; it implies that the court's attitude is

unreasonable, arbitrary or unconscionable." State v. Thornton, 12th Dist. Clermont No.

CA2012-09-063, 2013-Ohio-2394, ¶ 34.

       {¶ 36} Long first claims his counsel was deficient for failing to investigate the

witnesses and evidence provided by Long and his family. According to Kristina's and

Mabel's affidavits, this evidence includes gym records and potential testimony from Long's

boss and the children's babysitter. Long asserts this evidence "might have been helpful to

Long's defense," as it could have impeached the testimony of A.H. and corroborated the

defense's case.

       {¶ 37} As an initial note, Long did not attach any affidavit from the babysitter or his

boss to his PCR petition, nor did he include his gym records for the trial court or this court

to review. Thus, neither this court nor the trial court can evaluate the importance of this

evidence or confirm that such evidence supports what the affiants claim.

       {¶ 38} Notwithstanding the above, and despite Wells' alleged decision not to

investigate additional evidence as suggested by Mabel and Kristina, the record reflects

defense counsel presented similar evidence at trial. Specifically, during cross-examination,

A.H. admitted she went to a babysitter in the morning before school while living on

Pennyroyal Road. This was corroborated during Kristina's testimony, who indicated A.H.

went to a babysitter in the morning before school from February 2014 until February 2016,

making it improbable that Long committed the acts against A.H. when she claimed. Kristina

further testified Long went to the gym at 5:30 a.m. every morning between January and

                                            - 11 -
                                                                     Warren CA2021-02-014

August 2015, further calling into question Long's ability to assault A.H. in bed during the

morning hours. Consequently, when considering the evidence that was produced via A.H.'s

and Kristina's testimonies, even if the evidence Wells elected not to investigate supports

what Kristina and Mabel claim, such evidence would have been cumulative at best.

Pursuant to Ohio law, "'the failure to put on cumulative evidence is not indicative of

ineffective assistance of counsel.'" State v. Kean, 10th Dist. Franklin No. 17AP-427, 2019-

Ohio-1171, ¶ 98, quoting State v. Johnson, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 16803, 1998 Ohio

App. LEXIS 3592 (Aug. 7, 1998).

       {¶ 39} Furthermore, Wells' trial performance contradicts Long's claims that she did

not adequately investigate this case or sufficiently prepare a defense. Specifically, this case

involves incidents that were alleged to have occurred at three different residences, with

different family members residing in each home, and over the course of several years.

Despite the case's convoluted factual history, Wells demonstrated a thorough knowledge

of the family's background, including their employment history, custody schedule, child

support obligations, family pets, social media postings, and family members' schedules and

routines. Additionally, a review of the transcript indicates Wells thoroughly cross-examined

the victim and brought out several specific inconsistencies between her statements during

her child-advocacy center ("CAC") interviews, to her school counselor, in her deposition,

and what she told her parents. Wells also presented evidence from Long's wife, mother-in-

law, and A.H.'s aunt, who each testified that they never saw Long interact inappropriately

with A.H. and called into question A.H.'s credibility. As such, there is no evidence in the

record to support Long's assertion that Wells was unprepared for trial or failed to adequately

investigate his case.

       {¶ 40} We also reject Long's claim that Wells' performance was deficient because

she failed to obtain or consult with a forensic psychology expert. According to Long, if Wells

                                             - 12 -
                                                                        Warren CA2021-02-014

had consulted with a forensic psychology expert, she would have learned that many of the

questions posed during the CAC interviews of the minor child were inappropriate and

violated the Confrontation Clause. However, A.H.'s statements from the CAC interviews

were introduced into evidence by Wells during cross-examination of A.H. Using those

statements, Wells demonstrated numerous inconsistencies between the details A.H.

disclosed during the interviews, the details she disclosed during a subsequent deposition,

and the details she testified to at trial. Thus, it is clear Wells' trial strategy was to show that

A.H.'s allegations were incredible based upon these inconsistencies. If the CAC interviews

were largely discredited and A.H.'s statements were rendered inadmissible via expert

testimony, Wells could not have executed that strategy. This court has repeatedly held that

trial strategy, even debatable strategy, is not a basis for finding ineffective assistance of

counsel. State v. Woody, 12th Dist. Clinton No. CA2019-01-001, 2020-Ohio-621, ¶ 10. As

such, this court will not second-guess Wells' trial strategy, which we note resulted in Long's

acquittal on the most serious charge of rape and one count of gross sexual imposition.

       {¶ 41} Moreover, Long's argument that a defense expert was necessary to impeach

the opinions and methods of the examiner is purely speculative. Long fails to identify the

expert witness who should have been called or what the expert would have said. State v.

Hunter, 131 Ohio St.3d 67, 2011-Ohio-6524, ¶ 66. As such, this court has no way of

knowing how an expert would have aided Long's defense. State v. Deck, 12th Dist. Warren

CA2020-10-066, 2021-Ohio-3145, ¶ 26.

       {¶ 42} We also reject Long's claim that Wells' representation was ineffective because

she failed to retain an expert witness to rebut the testimony of the state's experts. It is well

settled that declining to call an expert and opting to rely on cross-examination, as Wells

opted to do in this case, does not amount to ineffective assistance of counsel. State v.

Myers, 12th Dist. Warren No. CA2019-07-074, 2021-Ohio-631, ¶ 106, quoting Hunter at ¶

                                               - 13 -
                                                                      Warren CA2021-02-014

66.   Further, even if the wisdom of such an approach is debatable, "debatable trial tactics"

do not constitute ineffective assistance of counsel. State v. Clayton, 62 Ohio St.2d 45, 49,

402 N.E.2d 1189 (1980).

       {¶ 43} Lastly, we find no merit to Long's allegation that Wells was ineffective due to

her personal legal troubles and substance abuse. In his PCR petition, Long asserts that

because the documentation from Long's criminal case indicates Long tested positive for

illegal substances in August 2019, it is evident she was using drugs during his trial in May

2019. Long does not offer any evidence that Wells was, in fact, using drugs during her

representation of Long, aside from the affidavits of Kristina and Mabel indicating it

"appeared" and "seemed" like Wells "may" have been under the influence.                  These

averments are simply unsupported conclusions made without any basis and were properly

discounted by the trial court after consideration of the Calhoun factors. Furthermore, and

as discussed in greater detail above, Wells' trial performance does not reflect that she was

impaired during the three-day trial.

       {¶ 44} We also find Long cannot establish any prejudice as a result of Wells' alleged

drug use. Although Wells did not attend Long's sentencing hearing, Long was represented

at the hearing by Wells' co-counsel, who participated in Long's trial. Long claims Wells' co-

counsel was unprepared to handle the sentencing hearing and did not offer all mitigating

facts to the trial court. After a review of the record, we disagree with Long's characterization

of co-counsel's performance at the sentencing hearing. Specifically, co-counsel prepared

a sentencing memorandum prior to the hearing, presented several mitigating factors to the

trial court, and argued for community control as opposed to prison time. Moreover, the

record is devoid of any comments from Long at the sentencing hearing regarding Wells'

absence, and Long did not raise any issue related to her absence in his direct appeal. Thus,

not only has Long failed to establish any prejudice resulting from Wells' absence, any

                                             - 14 -
                                                                        Warren CA2021-02-014

argument regarding Wells' failure to attend the sentencing hearing is clearly barred by res

judicata. See State v. Miller, 12th Dist. Clermont No. CA2016-08-057, 2017-Ohio-2801, ¶

18, 21 (PCR claim of ineffective assistance of counsel is barred by the doctrine of res

judicata where the petitioner could have, and should have, raised the issue on direct

appeal).

       {¶ 45} In light of the foregoing, we find Long has failed to set forth sufficient operative

facts to establish substantive grounds for relief. Therefore, the trial court did not abuse its

discretion in summarily dismissing his PCR petition without a hearing.

       {¶ 46} Turning to Long's remaining argument that the trial court erred in dismissing

his petition on the basis of res judicata, we conclude that any error in the trial court's decision

to dismiss Long's PCR petition on the grounds of res judicata is harmless. See e.g., State

v. Moore, 2d Dist. Clark No. 2007 CA 123, 2008-Ohio-5376, ¶ 12 (the trial court's error in

finding an ineffective assistance of counsel claim was barred by res judicata is harmless

where the appellant failed to satisfy the substantive requirement of R.C. 2953.21); State v.

Merkle, 1st Dist. Hamilton Nos. C-020454 and C-030557, 2004-Ohio-1913, ¶ 47-48.

Specifically, even if some of the issues raised by Long's PCR petition were not barred by

res judicata, he cannot establish any prejudice he suffered as a result of the trial court's res

judicata analysis. This is because, as noted above, the trial court properly determined Long

failed to demonstrate substantive grounds for relief, which is required under R.C. 2953.21.

Id., see also Hicks, 2005-Ohio-1237 at ¶ 9. Consequently, even if Long's petition was timely

filed, we find the trial court did not abuse its discretion in summarily dismissing the PCR

petition without a hearing.

       {¶ 47} Finding no merit to any of the arguments raised herein, we overrule Long's

first and third assignments of error.

       {¶ 48} Judgment affirmed.

                                               - 15 -
                                        Warren CA2021-02-014

S. POWELL and BYRNE, JJ., concur.

                               - 16 -