Court Opinion

ID: 4372214
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2019-02-28 16:36:06.466455+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:49:37.161314
License: Public Domain

[Cite as State v. Russell, 2019-Ohio-704.]

                 Court of Appeals of Ohio
                                    EIGHTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
                                       COUNTY OF CUYAHOGA

                                   JOURNAL ENTRY AND OPINION
                                           No. 107215

                                             STATE OF OHIO

                                                        PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE

                                                  vs.

                                         THEODORE RUSSELL

                                                        DEFENDANT-APPELLANT

                                              JUDGMENT:
                                               AFFIRMED

                                       Criminal Appeal from the
                                Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas
                                      Case No. CR-17-616171-A

        BEFORE: S. Gallagher, P.J., Jones, J., and Keough, J.

        RELEASED AND JOURNALIZED: February 28, 2019
ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANT

Edward M. Heindel
2200 Terminal Tower
50 Public Square
Cleveland, Ohio 44113

ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEE

Michael C. O’Malley
Cuyahoga County Prosecutor
By: Kelly N. Mason
Assistant Prosecuting Attorney
Justice Center - 9th Floor
1200 Ontario Street
Cleveland, Ohio 44113

SEAN C. GALLAGHER, P.J.:

       {¶1}    Theodore Russell appeals his conviction for a second-degree felony drug

trafficking offense and claims the trial court failed to consider the principles and purposes of

sentencing under R.C. 2929.11 or the sentencing factors under R.C. 2929.12. In the alternative,

Russell claims his guilty plea was not knowing and voluntary because the court “should have

done more to fully explain the rights” he was waiving. Neither argument has merit, but both

will be addressed in the order presented.

       {¶2} In support of appellate review of his sentence, Russell cites R.C. 2953.08(G)(2) and

State v. Marcum, 146 Ohio St.3d 516, 2016-Ohio-1002, 59 N.E.3d 1231, ¶ 23. Russell concedes

that the trial court was required to impose a minimum two-year sentence, but he claims the

four-year sentence imposed was not supported by the record. The trial court was authorized to

impose a prison term of up to eight years. Russell has not demonstrated error under Marcum.
       {¶3} Marcum authorizes a felony sentencing review of sentences that is not expressly

provided under R.C. 2953.08. Marcum at ¶ 23. That statutory section sets forth the boundaries

of appellate review over felony sentences and establishes a deferential standard of review of the

findings necessary to impose certain sentences. As the Ohio Supreme Court noted, however,

“some sentences do not require the findings that R.C. 2953.08(G) specifically addresses.” Id.

Nevertheless, “it is fully consistent for appellate courts to review those sentences that are

imposed solely after consideration of the factors in R.C. 2929.11 and 2929.12 under a standard

that is equally deferential to the sentencing court.” Id. Marcum provides the only avenue for

appellate review of Russell’s mid-range sentence. None of the express provisions under R.C.

2953.08(A), which statutorily authorize appellate review of certain felony sentences, apply.

State v. Jones, 2018-Ohio-498, 105 N.E.3d 702, ¶ 40-41 (8th Dist.) (S. Gallagher, J., dissenting)

(Marcum reviewed an otherwise unreviewable sentence under R.C. 2953.08(A), and as a result,

the review set forth in Marcum stands apart from the statutory review).

       {¶4} “When sentencing a defendant, the court must consider the purpose and principles of

felony sentencing set forth in R.C. 2929.11 and the serious and recidivism factors in R.C.

2929.12.” State v. White, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 106580, 2018-Ohio-3414, ¶ 7, citing State v.

Hodges, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 99511, 2013-Ohio-5025, ¶ 7. Consideration of the factors is

presumed unless proven otherwise by the defendant. Id. at ¶ 9, citing State v. Seith, 8th Dist.

Cuyahoga No. 104510, 2016-Ohio-8302, ¶ 12, and State v. Keith, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga Nos.

103413 and 103414, 2016-Ohio-5234. Thus, it is the trial court that possesses discretion to

sentence offenders and appellate courts must defer to the trial court’s sentencing decision. State

v. Roberts, 2017-Ohio-9014, 101 N.E.3d 1067, ¶ 20 (8th Dist.), quoting State v. Rahab, 150 Ohio

St.3d 152, 2017-Ohio-1401, 80 N.E.3d 431, ¶ 10; State v. Hairston, 118 Ohio St.3d 289,
2008-Ohio-2338, 888 N.E.2d 1073, ¶ 16; Marcum. As a result, and even under R.C. 2953.08(G)

as interpreted through Marcum, we can reverse an individual felony sentence imposed solely

after consideration of R.C. 2929.11 and 2929.12 only if we clearly and convincingly find that the

record does not support the sentence. Marcum at ¶ 23.

       {¶5} In this case, the trial court reviewed the presentence investigation report and the

state asked for greater emphasis to be given to Russell’s criminal history. In addition, the trial

court expressly considered Russell’s remorse and addictive tendencies, his inability to maintain

employment, and his noted lack of a felony conviction after 2000. Defense counsel asked the

trial court to additionally consider Russell’s age, the fact that Russell had minor children to

support, and to place greater weight on Russell’s lack of a recent felony conviction. Thus, the

trial court considered the relevant purposes and principles of sentencing and the sentencing

factors even if the court did not expressly cite the statutory sections during the sentencing

hearing. Importantly, and even under the Marcum analysis, Russell has failed to demonstrate

that his four-year sentence is clearly and convincingly not supported by the record.

       {¶6} Finally, Russell claims his guilty plea was not knowing and voluntary because the

trial court “should have done more to fully explain the rights” Russell was waiving and failed to

mention that it could proceed to sentencing immediately after the guilty plea was accepted.

       {¶7} “When a defendant enters a plea in a criminal case, the plea must be made

knowingly, intelligently, and voluntarily.”       State v. Engle, 74 Ohio St.3d 525, 527,

1996-Ohio-179, 660 N.E.2d 450. The standard of review for determining whether a plea was

knowing, intelligent, and voluntary within the meaning of Crim.R. 11 for nonconstitutional

issues is substantial compliance and strict compliance for constitutional issues. State v. Nero, 56

Ohio St.3d 106, 108, 564 N.E.2d 474 (1990), citing State v. Stewart, 51 Ohio St.2d 86, 92-93,
364 N.E.2d 1163 (1977).         “Substantial compliance means that under the totality of the

circumstances the defendant subjectively understands the implications of his plea and the rights

he is waiving.” Nero. In addition, when challenging his guilty plea based on the trial court’s

lack of substantial compliance, a defendant must also show a prejudicial effect — that the plea

would not have been otherwise entered but for the error. State v. Clark, 119 Ohio St.3d 239,

2008-Ohio-3748, 893 N.E.2d 462, ¶ 32, citing Nero at 108.

       {¶8} Russell has not demonstrated prejudice, let alone has he argued that the trial court’s

plea colloquy was not in compliance with the criminal rule. His sole argument is that the trial

court should have done more than was required. Although it is always possible to provide more

information to a defendant during the plea colloquy, the failure to do so is not a basis for reversal

if the trial court otherwise complies with Crim.R. 11. On this point, Russell has not suggested,

let alone demonstrated, that the trial court erred.

       {¶9} In the alternative, Russell claims that the trial court failed to inform him that he

could be immediately sentenced as a result of the guilty plea and that such a failure invalidated

the plea. Russell is mistaken, notwithstanding the fact that the trial court postponed sentencing

for the purpose of conducting a presentence investigation. According to the record, the trial

court notified Russell during the plea colloquy that upon accepting the guilty plea, the court was

required to impose a prison sentence of at least two years. This satisfied any Crim.R. 11

concerns. The second, and final, assignment of error is overruled.

       {¶10} The conviction is affirmed.

       It is ordered that appellee recover of appellant costs herein taxed.

       The court finds there were reasonable grounds for this appeal.
       It is ordered that a special mandate issue out of this court directing the common pleas

court to carry this judgment into execution. The defendant’s conviction having been affirmed,

any bail pending appeal is terminated.    Case remanded to the trial court for execution of

sentence.

       A certified copy of this entry shall constitute the mandate pursuant to Rule 27 of the

Rules of Appellate Procedure.

SEAN C. GALLAGHER, PRESIDING JUDGE

LARRY A. JONES, SR., J., and
KATHLEEN ANN KEOUGH, J., CONCUR