Court Opinion

ID: 2703433
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2014-08-04 20:09:25.488203+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:54:11.971817
License: Public Domain

[Cite as Gaston v. Reid, 2012-Ohio-2937.]

                 Court of Appeals of Ohio
                               EIGHTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
                                  COUNTY OF CUYAHOGA

                              JOURNAL ENTRY AND OPINION
                                       No. 98192

                                     JOSEPH GASTON
                                                           PETITIONER

                                                 vs.

                              ROBERT REID, SHERIFF
                                                           RESPONDENT

                                       JUDGMENT:
                                   PETITION DISMISSED

                                        Writ of Habeas Corpus
                                         Motion No. 454119
                                         Order No. 455829

RELEASE DATE: June 27, 2012
FOR PETITIONER

Joseph Gaston
Inmate No. 0232528
Cuyahoga County Jail
P.O. Box 5600
Cleveland, Ohio 44101

ATTORNEYS FOR RESPONDENT

William D. Mason
Cuyahoga County Prosecutor
T. Allan Regas
Assistant County Prosecutor
8th Floor Justice Center
1200 Ontario Street
Cleveland, Ohio 44113
MARY EILEEN KILBANE, J.:

       {¶1} Joseph Gaston has filed a petition for a writ of habeas corpus. Gaston argues

that his right to a speedy trial has been violated in State v. Gaston, Cuyahoga C.P. No.

CR-555107. Specifically, Gaston argues that he has not been brought to trial within 270

days, as required by R.C. 2945.71(C)(2), which mandates his immediate release from the

custody of the Cuyahoga County Sheriff, Robert Reid. Sheriff Reid has filed a motion to

dismiss.1 We grant the motion to dismiss for the following reasons.

       {¶2} Gaston’s petition for a writ of habeas corpus is procedurally defective for the

following reasons:

       {¶3} (1) petition fails to contain a sworn and notarized affidavit that complies with

Loc.App.R. 45(B)(1)(a);

       {¶4} (2) petition fails to contain a sworn and notarized affidavit of indigency;

       {¶5} (3) petition fails to contain a statement that sets forth the balance in Gaston’s

inmate account for the preceding six months and/or all of the cash and things of value

owned by Gaston, as required by R.C. 2969.25;

       {¶6} (4) petition fails to contain a sworn and notarized affidavit that describes each

civil action or appeal filed by Gaston within the previous five years in any state or federal

court; and

       1We shall only consider respondent’s motion to dismiss based upon the claim
that petitioner fails to state a claim upon which relief can be granted per Civ.R.
12(B)(6). Summary judgment per Civ.R. 56(C) is not appropriate.
       {¶7} (5) petition fails to contain copies of all pertinent commitment papers as

required by R.C. 2725.04(D).

       {¶8} See Tisdale v. Eberlin, 114 Ohio St.3d 201, 2007-Ohio-3833, 870 N.E.2d

1191; Chari v. Vore, 91 Ohio St.3d 323, 2001-Ohio-49, 744 N.E.2d 763. See also State

ex rel. Leon v. Cuyahoga Cty. Court of Common Pleas, 123 Ohio St.3d 124,

2009-Ohio-4688, 914 N.E.2d 402; Martin v. Woods, 121 Ohio St.3d 609,

2009-Ohio-1928, 906 N.E.2d 1113.

       {¶9} It must also be noted that Gaston’s petition fails to state a claim upon which

relief can be granted. Habeas corpus is not available to challenge the denial of the right

to a speedy trial. Boles v. Knab, 130 Ohio St.3d 339, 2011-Ohio-5049, 958 N.E.2d 554;

In re Jackson, 36 Ohio St.3d 189, 522 N.E.2d 540 (1988).

       {¶10} Accordingly, we grant Sheriff Reid’s motion to dismiss. Gaston to pay

costs. The court directs the clerk of court to serve notice of this judgment and its date of

entry upon all parties as required by Civ.R. 58(B).

       {¶11} Petition dismissed.

MARY EILEEN KILBANE, JUDGE

PATRICIA A. BLACKMON, A.J., and
SEAN C. GALLAGHER, J., CONCUR