Court Opinion

ID: 2707974
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2014-08-05 13:44:00.985507+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:59:51.962522
License: Public Domain

[Cite as State v. Marshall, 2013-Ohio-5092.]

                                     IN THE COURT OF APPEALS

                            TWELFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT OF OHIO

                                               WARREN COUNTY

STATE OF OHIO,                                       :

        Plaintiff-Appellee,                          :     CASE NO. CA2013-05-042

                                                     :          OPINION
    - vs -                                                      11/18/2013
                                                     :

JAMES C. MARSHALL,                                   :

        Defendant-Appellant.                         :

      CRIMINAL APPEAL FROM WARREN COUNTY COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
                           Case No. 12 CR 28535

David P. Fornshell, Warren County Prosecuting Attorney, Michael Greer, 500 Justice Drive,
Lebanon, Ohio 45036, for plaintiff-appellee

Timothy J. McKenna, 125 East Court Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202, for defendant-appellant

        PIPER, J.

        {¶ 1} Defendant-appellant, James Marshall, appeals his consecutive sentences in the

Warren County Court of Common Pleas.

        {¶ 2} Marshall was convicted of felony drug-related offenses in 2008 and sentenced

to prison. Marshall was later released and placed on postrelease control. While on

postrelease control, Marshall and his girlfriend had a domestic dispute and police were

dispatched to his home. Police learned that Marshall had in his possession a rifle which was
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stored in a guitar case and kept in a storage room in the back of the house. Marshall was

charged with having weapons under disability. After Marshall pled no contest to the charge,

the trial court found him guilty.

       {¶ 3} The trial court ordered a presentence investigation report and held a sentencing

hearing. After Marshall addressed the court with several mitigating factors, the trial court

sentenced Marshall to 12 months on the violation of postrelease control, and nine months on

the having weapons under disability charge. The trial court ordered that Marshall serve the

sentences consecutively.        Marshall now appeals his sentence, raising the following

assignment of error.

       {¶ 4} THE COURT ABUSED IT [sic] DISCRETION BY IMPOSING CONSECUTIVE

PRISON TERMS AND FAILING TO PROPERLY CONSIDER THE SENTENCING FACTORS

SET FORTH IN R.C. 2929.12 AS MANDATED BY STATE V. KALISH.

       {¶ 5} Marshall argues in his assignment of error that his sentence is contrary to law.

       {¶ 6} Despite Marshall's assignment of error regarding the Kalish sentencing

standard, this court has recently established that "the standard of review set forth in R.C.

2953.08(G)(2) shall govern all felony sentences." State v. Crawford, 12th Dist. Clermont No.

CA2012-12-088, 2013-Ohio-3315, ¶ 6, quoting State v. A.H., 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 98622,

2013-Ohio-2525, ¶ 7. Pursuant to R.C. 2953.08(G)(2), when hearing an appeal of a trial

court's felony sentencing decision, "the appellate court may increase, reduce, or otherwise

modify a sentence that is appealed under this section or may vacate the sentence and

remand the matter to the sentencing court for resentencing." However, as explicitly stated in

R.C. 2953.08(G)(2), "[t]he appellate court's standard for review is not whether the sentencing

court abused its discretion."

       {¶ 7} Instead, an appellate court may take any action authorized by R.C.

2953.08(G)(2) only if the court "clearly and convincingly finds" that either: (1) "the record
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does not support the sentencing court's findings under division (B) or (D) of section 2929.13,

division (B)(2)(e) or (C)(4) of section 2929.14, or division (I) of section 2929.20 of the Revised

Code, whichever, if any, is relevant," or (2) "[t]hat the sentence is otherwise contrary to law."

In making such a determination, it is "important to understand that the clear and convincing

standard used by R.C. 2953.08(G)(2) is written in the negative." Crawford at ¶ 8, quoting

Venes, 2013-Ohio-1891 at ¶ 21. "It does not say that the trial judge must have clear and

convincing evidence to support its findings." Id. Instead, "it is the court of appeals that must

clearly and convincingly find that the record does not support the court's findings." Id.

Simply stated, the language in R.C. 2953.08(G)(2) establishes an "extremely deferential

standard of review," as "the restriction is on the appellate court, not the trial judge." Id.

       {¶ 8} A sentence is not clearly and convincingly contrary to law where the trial court

considers the purposes and principles of R.C. 2929.11, as well as the factors listed in R.C.

2929.12, and sentences appellant within the permissible statutory range. Crawford at ¶ 9;

State v. Elliott, 12th Dist. Clermont No. CA2009-03-020, 2009-Ohio-5926, ¶ 10.                  A

consecutive sentence is contrary to law where the trial court fails to make the consecutive

sentencing findings as required by R.C. 2929.14(C)(4). State v. Warren, 12th Dist. Clermont

No. CA2012-12-087, 2013-Ohio-3483, ¶ 16; State v. McCoy, 12th Dist. Warren No. CA2013-

04-033, 2013-Ohio-4647; State v. Crider, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 99396, 2013-Ohio-4594;

State v. Slane, 10th Dist. Franklin No. 12AP-316, 2013-Ohio-2107.

       {¶ 9} According to 2929.14(C)(4)

              If multiple prison terms are imposed on an offender for
              convictions of multiple offenses, the court may require the
              offender to serve the prison terms consecutively if the court finds
              that the consecutive service is necessary to protect the public
              from future crime or to punish the offender and that consecutive
              sentences are not disproportionate to the seriousness of the
              offender's conduct and to the danger the offender poses to the
              public, and if the court also finds any of the following:

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              (a) The offender committed one or more of the multiple offenses
              while the offender was awaiting trial or sentencing, was under a
              sanction imposed pursuant to section 2929.16, 2929.17, or
              2929.18 of the Revised Code, or was under post-release control
              for a prior offense.

              (b) At least two of the multiple offenses were committed as part
              of one or more courses of conduct, and the harm caused by two
              or more of the multiple offenses so committed was so great or
              unusual that no single prison term for any of the offenses
              committed as part of any of the courses of conduct adequately
              reflects the seriousness of the offender's conduct.

              (c) The offender's history of criminal conduct demonstrates that
              consecutive sentences are necessary to protect the public from
              future crime by the offender.

(Emphasis added.) Therefore, according to the statute, before a trial court can order

consecutive sentences, it must find that (1) the consecutive sentence is necessary to protect

the public from future crime or to punish the offender, and (2) that consecutive sentences are

not disproportionate to the seriousness of the offender's conduct and to the danger the

offender poses to the public. In addition to these two findings, the court must find one of the

three factors, as enumerated in subsections (a) through (c).

       {¶ 10} As used in the statute, the verb "finds" means that the court "must note that it

engaged in the analysis" required by the statute. State v. Edmonson, 86 Ohio St.3d 324, 326

(1999). "The statutory language itself does not have magical powers. Instead, it is merely a

vehicle to ensure that the trial court engaged in the required analysis. Even so, there must

be some reference in the record that the trial court considered the statutory requirements and

made the requisite findings." Warren, 2013-Ohio-3483 at ¶ 16.

       {¶ 11} A trial court's general statements as to why the trial court believed a prison term

was necessary do not constitute specific findings as required by the statute. State v. Fort,

8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 80604, 2002-Ohio-5068, ¶ 87. Nor does an indication in the record

that a trial court may have intended to make a finding fulfill the statutory requirement where

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the enumerated findings do "not expressly appear in the record." State v. Byrd, 2d Dist.

Clark No. 03-CA-08, 2004-Ohio-4369, ¶ 36.

      {¶ 12} Compliance with R.C. 2929.14(C)(4) requires separate and distinct findings in

addition to any findings related to the purposes and principles of sentencing within R.C.

2929.11 or the recidivism factors within R.C. 2929.12. Venes, 2013-Ohio-1891 at ¶ 17, citing

State v. Edmonson, 86 Ohio St.3d 324, 326 (1999).

      {¶ 13} As stated by the Eighth District Court of Appeals, sentencing courts

             are clearly bound by the stricter standard for the imposition of
             consecutive sentences created by the General Assembly in H.B.
             86. The revived consecutive sentencing statute requires that the
             trial court make separate and distinct findings before imposing
             consecutive sentences. The legislation envisions and prescribes
             a clear delineation, a preface to the act of imposing the greater
             term of imprisonment that is effectuated by consecutive
             sentences. The law mandates an introduction, by way of
             findings, to the act of imposing the consecutive sentences so that
             the trial court's intent and purpose are clear. "If the word
             'findings' is to have any meaning at all, it means nothing less
             than the court must 'engage[ ] in the required analysis and select
             [ ] the appropriate statutory criteria' before ordering sentences to
             be served consecutively."

State v. Crider, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 99396, 2013-Ohio-4594, ¶ 23, quoting Edmonson, 86

Ohio St.3d at 326. This court has stated similar reasoning for requiring the trial court to

expressly make the consecutive sentence findings on the record.

             Appellate review of a trial court's statements at the sentencing
             hearing becomes increasingly difficult when the trial court does
             not at least track the language of the statute to some extent. If
             the precise words of the statute are not used, it must be clear
             from the record that the trial court engaged in the appropriate
             analysis. In other words, the trial court must make an "equivalent
             finding to the factor that it finds exists," or one that uses
             "conceptually equivalent phraseology." The failure to track the
             wording of the statute forces appellate courts to conduct an
             analysis of the linguistic equivalency of the trial court's
             statements as compared to the language of the statute. This
             analysis is difficult and the result is not always predictable.

State v. Kuykendall, 12th Dist. Clermont No. CA2004-12-111, 2005-Ohio-6872, ¶ 24-25.
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(Internal citations omitted.)

       {¶ 14} After reviewing the record, the trial court failed to make the necessary findings

as required by R.C. 2929.14(C)(4). The trial court did not mention or make any reference to

R.C. 2929.14 during its sentencing colloquy or in its sentencing entry. Instead, the trial court

only made reference to the purposes and principles of sentencing, as well as the recidivism

factors of R.C. 2929.11 and 2929.12. However, and as previously stated, the consecutive

sentence findings must be made wholly separate and apart from any consideration given to

the purposes and principles of sentencing and recidivism factors.

       {¶ 15} For example, according to R.C. 2929.11, a trial court should consider several

factors when considering the purposes and principles of sentencing. These factors include

the need to: protect the public from future crime by the offender and others; punish the

offender using the minimum sanctions that the court determines accomplish those purposes

without imposing an unnecessary burden on state or local government resources;

incapacitate the offender; deter the offender and others from future crime; rehabilitate the

offender, and make restitution to the victim of the offense, the public, or both. R.C. 2929.11

also directs a trial court to calculate its sentence "commensurate with and not demeaning to

the seriousness of the offender's conduct and its impact upon the victim, and consistent with

sentences imposed for similar crimes committed by similar offenders."

       {¶ 16} R.C. 2929.12 goes forward and lists a myriad of factors a court should consider

when sentencing the defendant, including nine separate factors that apply "regarding the

offender, the offense, or the victim, and any other relevant factors, as indicating that the

offender's conduct is more serious than conduct normally constituting the offense." The

statute also includes four factors a sentencing court must consider regarding "the offender,

the offense, or the victim, and any other relevant factors, as indicating that the offender's

conduct is less serious than conduct normally constituting the offense." The sentencing court
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must also consider five factors that apply "regarding the offender, and any other relevant

factors, as factors indicating that the offender is likely to commit future crimes." Then, the

sentencing court must consider five factors specific to whether "the offender is not likely to

commit future crimes."

       {¶ 17} There is some overlap in the factors within R.C. 2929.11 and R.C. 2929.12 as

compared to each other and when compared to R.C. 2929.14(C)(4). This is true, especially

when considering the factors that focus on the defendant as a person and the specifics of his

crime. However, and by virtue of H.B. 86, the legislature specifically revived the requirement

that the trial court make three enumerated findings before imposing consecutive sentences.

These consecutive sentence findings within R.C. 2929.14(C) must be made separate and

apart from any consideration of the factors within R.C. 2929.11 and 2929.12, especially

where the purpose and recidivism statutes require only consideration of factors but do not

require the trial court to make any findings.

       {¶ 18} The trial court sentenced Marshall after reviewing a presentence investigation

report and giving Marshall the opportunity to address the court. The court then stated,

              All right. With respect to that then, Mr. Marshall, you know,
              taking into account the seriousness factors and the purposes and
              principals [sic] of sentencing, specifically with you regarding the
              recidivism factors I think are important, I've read the pre-
              sentence investigation. You know, at the time of this offense,
              you were on post-release control. You do have a history of
              engaging, you have a history of criminal activity, and I'm not sure
              given the close proximity to this offense – that you have
              responded all that favorably to the previous sanctions. I just
              don't see how a prison sentence is not appropriate in this case. I
              think for me not to send you to prison in this case would seriously
              demean the seriousness of the offense and I don't think it does
              justice to your record. So, I'm going to find that you are not
              amenable to community control and I'm going to sentence you to
              prison in this case. I am also going to revoke your post-release
              control because Mr. Marshall when you're put on post release
              control --.

At that point, Marshall asked the court if he could address the court once more, and then
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stated that other than being in possession of his father's gun, he had stayed out of trouble,

had obtained steady employment, and was seeking an education. The trial then court

continued.

             Well, Mr. Marshall, I don't dispute that everything you just said,
             except for the not getting in trouble part, because we have this
             new felony conviction, which is significant. I don't dispute that
             what you're saying is not true. And, I do take into account the
             fact that you are doing better now. But, what you have to
             understand is, that your history with the Court and with the
             system is such that when you come before me - - you don't get
             the benefit of the doubt anymore. You had the benefit of the
             doubt way back when when [sic] you were a first time offender.
             You got the benefit of the doubt. You know you got sent to
             prison, they release you on post-release control, they give you
             rules to follow and you don't follow the rules, Mr. Marshall. So, I
             can't sit up here and say that there's going to be no consequence
             for the fact that there was a decision to put you on post-release
             control, you violated the terms of this post-release control and for
             me to say that there is no sanction for that, I'm not willing to do
             that. I laud your efforts to turn your life around and I am very
             hopeful that you will continue in these efforts when you're
             released from prison, but you are going to prison in this case.
             I'm going to revoke your post-release control and I am going to
             impose 12 months on that. I'm going to impose six months on
             the new charge and those will be consecutive to each other.

      {¶ 19} The prosecutor then reminded the trial court that the minimum sentence for a

third-degree felony is nine months, and the trial court changed the sentence to 12 months on

the postrelease control and nine months on the having weapons under disability charge. The

sentences remained consecutive to each other.

      {¶ 20} Despite the trial court's express reference to the purposes and principles of

sentencing and recidivism factors, the trial court did not make reference to the consecutive

sentence findings. Even if we were to attempt to parcel out findings from the trial court's

colloquy, which we are not permitted to do, the colloquy lacks the necessary reference to

some R.C. 2929.14(C)(4) findings.

      {¶ 21} Stated once more, the trial court was required to make three specific findings:

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(1) the consecutive sentence is necessary to protect the public from future crime or to punish

the offender, and (2) that consecutive sentences are not disproportionate to the seriousness

of the offender's conduct and to the danger the offender poses to the public. In addition to

these two findings, the court must find one of three factors listed in subsections (a) through

(c), one of which includes that the offender was under postrelease control for a prior offense.

       {¶ 22} The record is clear that Marshall was on postrelease control at the time of his

crime, thus fulfilling the third finding requirement.       However, regarding the first two

enumerated findings, the trial court never found that the consecutive sentence was

necessary to protect the public from future crime or to punish the offender; or that the

consecutive sentences were not disproportionate to the seriousness of Marshall's conduct

and to the danger he poses to the public.

       {¶ 23} While it is true that the trial court stated, "I just don't see how a prison sentence

is not appropriate in this case," and determined that there had to be "consequences" for

Marshall's actions, these general statements do not fulfill the statutory requirement to make a

specific finding that consecutive sentences were necessary and not otherwise

disproportionate.

       {¶ 24} Without doubt, the trial court's statements indicate its belief as to why a prison

sentence was necessary and why community control was not appropriate. However, R.C.

2929.14(C) requires a sentencing court to make findings to support a decision to go beyond

ordering a prison sentence to order the harsher penalty of consecutive sentences. The trial

court's colloquy amply supports its statement that it considered the purposes and principles

of sentencing and Marshall's recidivism factors, but the trial court's general statements

regarding its consideration of the factors within R.C. 2929.11 and 2929.12 do not fulfill its

statutory duty to make the enumerated findings required by R.C. 2929.14(C).

       {¶ 25} Having found that the trial court failed to make the necessary findings before
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sentencing Marshall to consecutive sentences, we find Marshall's sentence contrary to law.

As such, Marshall's assignment of error is sustained, and the matter is remanded for the

limited purpose of resentencing.

       {¶ 26} Reversed and remanded for resentencing consistent with this Opinion.

       M. POWELL, J., concurs.

       RINGLAND, P.J., concurs separately.

       RINGLAND, P.J., concurring separately.

       {¶ 27} I agree with the decision of the majority that we are not permitted to parcel out

findings from the trial court's colloquy and must require specific findings under R.C.

2929.14(C)(4).    Nevertheless, such requirement defies this court's ability to use a

commonsense approach in analyzing a trial court's sentencing.               Unfortunately, the

legislature, via the sentencing commission, continues to require the trial court to become

talking parrots, uttering phrases which have no practical value in the administration of justice.

However, until and unless the Supreme Court limits the requirements as it has done in the

past under State v. Foster, 109 Ohio St.3d 1, 2006-Ohio-856, I must follow the law as set

forth even though nonsensical in its application.

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