Court Opinion

ID: 4229399
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2017-12-15 19:21:46.122079+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:43:09.653755
License: Public Domain

[Cite as State v. Phillips, 2017-Ohio-9063.]

                              IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
                                  SIXTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
                                        WOOD COUNTY

State of Ohio                                      Court of Appeals Nos. WD-16-020
                                                                         WD-16-028
        Appellee                                                         WD-16-029

v.                                                 Trial Court Nos. 2015CR0349
                                                                    2015CR0388
Terrance Lavander Phillips
                                                   DECISION AND JUDGMENT
        Appellant
                                                   Decided: December 15, 2017

                                               *****

        Terrance Phillips, pro se.

                                               *****

        MAYLE, J.

        {¶ 1} In these consolidated cases, Terrance L. Phillips has filed a timely App.R.

26(B) application to reopen the appeals. For the following reasons, we grant the

application.

        {¶ 2} On March 24, 2016, a jury in the Wood County Court of Common Pleas

convicted Phillips on all counts set forth in two, multiple count indictments. In the first,
Phillips was convicted of one count of felonious assault, one count of having weapons

while under disability, and two counts of carrying concealed weapons. The counts

included multiple specifications (case No. 2015CR0349). In the second, Phillips was

convicted of one count of trespass in a habitation and four counts of breaking and

entering (case No. 2015CR0388).

       {¶ 3} On August 4, 2017, we affirmed the convictions on direct appeal. State v.

Phillips, 6th Dist. Wood Nos. WD-16-020, WD-16-028, WD-16-029, 2017-Ohio-7107.

       {¶ 4} On October 2, 2017, Phillips filed his application to reopen the appeals. The

state did not object or otherwise respond.

       {¶ 5} Under App.R. 26(B)(1), a criminal defendant can apply for reopening of his

appeal from a judgment of conviction and sentence based on a claim of ineffective

assistance of appellate counsel. The application for reopening “shall be granted if there is

a genuine issue as to whether the applicant was deprived of the effective assistance of

counsel on appeal.” App.R. 26(B)(5).

       {¶ 6} The two-prong analysis found in Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668,

104 S. Ct. 2052, 80 L. Ed. 2d 67 (1984), is the appropriate standard to assess a defense

request for reopening under App.R. 26(B)(5). State v. Spivey, 84 Ohio St. 3d 24, 25, 701
N.E.2d 696 (1998). Thus, the applicant “must prove that his counsel were deficient for

failing to raise the issues he now presents, as well as showing that had he presented those

claims on appeal, there was a ‘reasonable probability’ that he would have been

successful.” Id., citing State v. Reed, 74 Ohio St. 3d 534, 535, 660 N.E.2d 456 (1996).

2.
The applicant “bears the burden of establishing that there was a ‘genuine issue’ as to

whether he has a ‘colorable claim’ of ineffective assistance of counsel on appeal.” Id.

       {¶ 7} In his application, Phillips argues that his appellate counsel was

ineffective for failing to raise a violation of his right to a speedy trial under the Sixth

Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and the Ohio Constitution, Article I, Section 10.

       {¶ 8} R.C. 2945.71(C)(2) requires that the state bring a person charged with a

felony to trial within 270 days after the person’s arrest. If the person is held in jail,

however, each day spent in jail counts as three days. R.C. 2945.71(E).

       {¶ 9} Once the accused demonstrates that the speedy-trial time period has expired,

he has established a prima facie case for dismissal. State v. Arrington, 6th Dist. Erie

No. E-16-050, 2017-Ohio-2578, ¶ 14. The burden then shifts to the state to demonstrate

that sufficient time was tolled or extended pursuant to R.C. 2945.72 such that no

violation occurred. State v. Hohenberger, 189 Ohio App. 3d 346, 2010-Ohio-4053, 938
N.E.2d 419, ¶ 35.

       {¶ 10} “R.C. 2945.72 contains an exhaustive list of events and circumstances that

extend the time within which a defendant must be brought to trial.” State v. Ramey, 132
Ohio St. 3d 309, 2012-Ohio-309, 971 N.E.2d 937, ¶ 24. In calculating the speedy trial

time, and considering the possible extensions of that time, the provisions of R.C. 2945.72

are to be strictly construed against the state. State v. Singer, 50 Ohio St. 2d 103, 108-109,

362 N.E.2d 1216 (1977).

3.
       {¶ 11} In his application, Phillips makes no effort to analyze the record to

demonstrate that he was not tried on a timely basis. His argument is conclusory only, i.e.

that his right to a speedy trial was violated.

       {¶ 12} We have reviewed the journal entries in each case. In the first, Phillips was

arrested on August 25, 2015; in the second, he was arrested on September 18, 2015. The

speedy trial time begins to run when an accused is arrested for the offense in question,

but the actual day of the arrest does not count. R.C. 2945.71(C)(2); State v. Steiner, 71
Ohio App. 3d 249, 250-251, 593 N.E.2d 368 (9th Dist.1991). Phillips’ trial began on

March 22, 2016. From our review, it does not appear that Phillips ever posted bond and

that he spent the entire time, between his first arrest and the trial, in jail. Therefore, the

triple-count provision of R.C. 2945.71(E) applies, and Phillips’ burden of establishing

that more than 90 days elapsed between his arrest and trial is satisfied. By our count, 210

days elapsed in this case.

       {¶ 13} Moreover, absent any argument by the state to rebut that presumption, with

record evidence that a sufficient number of days within that time period were tolled under

R.C. 2945.72, we find that there is genuine issue as to whether Phillips’ right to a speedy

trial was violated. Under App.R. 26(B), this court shall grant the application upon

finding such an issue. Therefore, Phillips’ motion for reopening is granted.

       {¶ 14} This case shall proceed as on an initial appeal on the sole issue stated,

pursuant to App.R. 26(B)(7).

4.
       {¶ 15} Finding that Phillips is indigent, the court sua sponte appoints Edward

Stechschulte, 5550 W. Central Avenue, P.O. Box 352170, Toledo, Ohio, 43635, to

represent him in this appeal. Phillips may file a motion to supplement the record with

necessary trial transcripts within 20 days and his brief shall be filed within 20 days

thereafter.

       {¶ 16} The clerk shall serve notice of journalization of the entry of this order on

the parties and the clerk of the trial court.

       {¶ 17} It is so ordered.

                                                                        Application granted.

Mark L. Pietrykowski, J.                        _______________________________
                                                            JUDGE
James D. Jensen, P.J.
                                                _______________________________
Christine E. Mayle, J.                                      JUDGE
CONCUR.
                                                _______________________________
                                                            JUDGE

5.