Court Opinion

ID: 6338486
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-05-06 17:11:38.087237+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:11:27.182785
License: Public Domain

[Cite as State v. Jackson, 2022-Ohio-1522.]

                               IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
                                  SECOND APPELLATE DISTRICT
                                      MONTGOMERY COUNTY

 STATE OF OHIO                                      :
                                                    :
         Plaintiff-Appellee                         :   Appellate Case No. 29226
                                                    :
 v.                                                 :   Trial Court Case No. 2020-CR-1064
                                                    :
 BARNARD M. JACKSON                                 :   (Criminal Appeal from
                                                    :   Common Pleas Court)
         Defendant-Appellant                        :
                                                    :

                                               ...........

                                               OPINION

                                Rendered on the 6th day of May, 2022.

                                               ...........

MATHIAS H. HECK, JR., by ANDREW T. FRENCH, Atty. Reg. No. 0069384, Assistant
Prosecuting Attorney, Montgomery County Prosecutor’s Office, Appellate Division,
Montgomery County Courts Building, 301 West Third Street, Dayton, Ohio 45422
      Attorney for Plaintiff-Appellee

BYRON K. SHAW, Atty. Reg. No. 0073124, 4800 Belmont Place, Huber Heights, Ohio
45424
      Attorney for Defendant-Appellant

                                              .............

WELBAUM, J.
                                                                                        -2-

       {¶ 1} Defendant-appellant, Barnard M. Jackson, appeals from his conviction in the

Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas after pleading no contest to felonious

assault, having weapons while under disability, discharging a firearm on or near a

prohibited premises, and improperly handling firearms in a motor vehicle. On December

8, 2021, Jackson’s appellate counsel filed a brief under the authority of Anders v.

California, 386 U.S. 738, 87 S.Ct. 1396, 18 L.Ed.2d 493 (1967), asserting the absence of

any issues with arguable merit for appeal. On December 10, 2021, this court notified

Jackson that his counsel had found no meritorious claims for appeal, and we granted

Jackson 60 days to file a pro se brief assigning any errors for review. On January 10,

2022, Jackson filed a pro se brief wherein he raised seven assignments of error that

pertained to his speedy trial rights and his presentence motion to withdraw his no contest

plea. The State then filed a notice of intent not to respond to the arguments in Jackson’s

pro se brief.

       {¶ 2} For the reasons outlined below, we find that all of Jackson’s pro se

arguments lack arguable merit. Furthermore, after conducting an independent review of

the record as required by Anders, we find no issues with arguable merit for Jackson to

advance on appeal. Therefore, the judgment of the trial court will be affirmed.

                          Facts and Course of Proceedings

       {¶ 3} On May 14, 2020, a Montgomery County grand jury returned an indictment

charging Jackson with one count of felonious assault in violation of R.C. 2903.11(A)(2),

a felony of the second degree; one count of having weapons while under disability in
                                                                                        -3-

violation of R.C. 2923.13(A)(2), a felony of the third degree; one count of discharging a

firearm on or near a prohibited premises in violation of R.C. 2923.162(A)(3), a felony of

the third degree; one count of tampering with evidence in violation of R.C. 2921.12(A)(1),

a felony of the third degree, and one count of improperly handling firearms in a motor

vehicle in violation of R.C. 2923.16(A), a felony of the fourth degree. The charge for

felonious assault also included a five-year firearm specification.

       {¶ 4} On May 19, 2020, Jackson pled not guilty to all the indicted charges at his

arraignment. Jackson’s counsel thereafter filed a motion to suppress on June 30, 2020.

The motion sought to suppress statements that Jackson had made to law enforcement

while he was arrested and in jail. On July 30, 2020, the trial court held a suppression

hearing. Detective Jacob Rillo of the Dayton Police Department was the only witness to

testify at the hearing. Det. Rillo’s testimony indicated that Jackson had made certain

statements during an attempted jail interview that Jackson terminated before the detective

could provide Miranda warnings. Specifically, Det. Rillo testified that after he introduced

himself to Jackson, Jackson asked him what he had been charged with and if anyone

had been killed. Det. Rillo testified that when he told Jackson that he had been charged

with felonious assault and that no one had been killed, Jackson said: “[T]here’s nobody

killed, so I ain’t got nothing to say.” Suppression Hearing Trans. (July 30, 2020), p. 13.

Det. Rillo testified that after Jackson made that statement he terminated the interview.

Det. Rillo also testified that Jackson’s statement was not made in response to any

questioning.

       {¶ 5} Following the suppression hearing, the trial court accepted post-hearing
                                                                                         -4-

briefs on the motion, which the parties filed on August 6 and 7, 2020. However, before

a decision was rendered on the motion to suppress, on August 24, 2020, Jackson filed a

pro se motion asking the trial court to remove his counsel from the case so that Jackson

could represent himself. In light of Jackson’s motion, and due to Jackson’s failure to

communicate, Jackson’s counsel filed a motion to withdraw from the case.                On

September 16, 2020, Jackson and his counsel attended a scheduling conference, which

turned into a hearing on the aforementioned motions.         During the hearing, Jackson

advised the trial court that he wanted to have new counsel appointed to his case. The

trial court granted Jackson’s request and issued an order appointing new counsel on

September 18, 2020. The scheduling conference was then continued to September 23,

2020.

        {¶ 6} On September 23, 2020, Jackson’s newly-appointed counsel requested a

two-week continuance of the scheduling conference in order to obtain further discovery

from the State. The trial court granted the request, and the scheduling conference was

continued to October 7, 2020. Jackson, who was not pleased with his new counsel’s

representation, thereafter filed another pro se motion asking the trial court to remove his

counsel so that he could represent himself. Because of that motion, the October 7, 2020

scheduling conference was continued for purposes of holding a hearing to ensure that

Jackson understood the consequences of waiving his right to counsel.           The waiver

hearing was held on October 14, 2020. During that hearing, the trial court questioned

Jackson extensively in order to ensure that Jackson was knowingly, intelligently, and

voluntarily waiving his right to counsel. After doing so, the trial court accepted Jackson’s
                                                                                            -5-

oral and written waiver and ordered Jackson’s former counsel to remain in the case as

standby counsel.

       {¶ 7} Following Jackson’s waiver of his right to counsel, the trial court held a status

conference on October 21, 2020. During the status conference, the trial court confirmed

that Jackson had no other evidence or filings pertaining to his motion to suppress. Once

receiving that confirmation, the trial court considered the suppression matter submitted to

the court and advised Jackson that a written decision would be forthcoming. However,

before the trial court could issue a decision, Jackson filed a notice of appeal with this court

on November 10, 2020. In the notice of appeal, Jackson argued that the trial court had

violated his right to a speedy trial.     The State thereafter filed a motion to dismiss

Jackson’s appeal on grounds that Jackson had failed to identify what order of the trial

court he was seeking to appeal. On November 25, 2020, Jackson filed a motion to

voluntarily dismiss his appeal. This court sustained Jackson’s motion and dismissed the

appeal on December 24, 2020. See State v. Jackson, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 28955

(Final Judgment Entry).

       {¶ 8} On December 15, 2020, while Jackson’s appeal was still pending, Jackson

filed a motion in the trial court to dismiss the indicted charges on grounds that he had

been denied his right to a speedy trial. The trial court thereafter issued an entry and

order advising that it lacked jurisdiction over the motion due to Jackson’s pending appeal.

Once Jackson’s appeal was dismissed, on February 10, 2021, the trial court held a brief

hearing on the motion to dismiss. During the hearing, the State asked for three weeks

to file a response to Jackson’s motion, which the trial court granted. The trial court also
                                                                                        -6-

granted Jackson two weeks to file a reply to the State’s response. Thereafter, Jackson

addressed the trial court and asked why the court had not yet ruled on his motion to

suppress. In response, the trial court advised Jackson that the court first needed to rule

on his motion to dismiss since the outcome of that motion could possibly result in the

dismissal of his case.

       {¶ 9} On April 23, 2021, the trial court issued a decision overruling Jackson’s

motion to dismiss on grounds that Jackson’s speedy trial time had been tolled by

Jackson’s filing a motion to suppress. Approximately two months later, on June 18,

2021, the trial court issued a decision overruling Jackson’s motion to suppress.

Specifically, the trial court found that the statement Jackson sought to have suppressed

did not fall under the protections afforded in Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U.S. 436, 86 S.Ct.

1602, 16 L.Ed.2d 694 (1996), because the statement was spontaneous and not made in

response to a custodial interrogation. After overruling Jackson’s motion to suppress, the

trial court scheduled a jury trial for July 12, 2021.

       {¶ 10} On the day of trial, Jackson had a discussion with the trial court and

confirmed that his speedy trial argument would be preserved for appeal if he entered a

no contest plea. After receiving this information, Jackson advised the trial court that he

wanted to accept a plea agreement that was offered by the State and to have standby

counsel reinstated as his counsel. The plea agreement required Jackson to plead no

contest to felonious assault with a reduced three-year firearm specification, having

weapons while under disability, discharging a firearm on or near a prohibited premises,

and improperly handling firearms in a motor vehicle. In exchange for Jackson’s no
                                                                                         -7-

contest plea, the State agreed to dismiss the charge for tampering with evidence. The

parties also jointly agreed to Jackson’s receiving an aggregate, indefinite sentence of five

to six years in prison.

       {¶ 11} After reinstating Jackson’s counsel and giving Jackson an opportunity to

confer with counsel, the trial court conducted a Crim.R. 11 plea colloquy. The trial court

then accepted Jackson’s no contest plea and found him guilty of the aforementioned

charges. The trial court also ordered a presentence investigation report and scheduled

the matter for sentencing.

       {¶ 12} Prior to the sentencing hearing, Jackson filed a pro se motion to withdraw

his no contest plea. In the motion, Jackson failed to cite any basis or reasoning for

wanting to withdraw his plea.     At the sentencing hearing, the trial court addressed

Jackson’s plea withdrawal motion and asked both Jackson and his counsel if they wanted

to add anything to the motion. In response, neither Jackson nor his counsel made any

comment about the motion, and Jackson specifically indicated that there was nothing

more he wanted to add. The State argued that Jackson’s motion should be overruled

because it provided no basis for withdrawing the plea and because it represented a mere

change of heart.

       {¶ 13} After hearing from the parties, the trial court overruled Jackson’s motion to

withdraw his no contest plea. Following that ruling, Jackson briefly stated that he had

filed the motion because he felt that he was forced to take the plea and because he had

never had time to speak with his counsel about the plea. The trial court, however, found

that the matter had already been ruled on and proceeded to sentencing.
                                                                                         -8-

       {¶ 14} During Jackson’s sentencing, the trial court imposed an indefinite term of

two to three years in prison for felonious assault, and a mandatory three-year prison term

for the attendant firearm specification. The trial court ordered the three-year prison term

for the firearm specification to run prior and consecutively to the indefinite two-to-three

year term for felonious assault. The trial court also imposed 24 months in prison for

having weapons while under disability, 24 months in prison for discharging a firearm on

or near a prohibited premises, and 18 months in prison for improperly handling firearms

in a motor vehicle.    The trial court ordered those three sentences to run concurrently

with each other and concurrently with the sentences imposed for felonious assault and

the firearm specification.    Therefore, the trial court ultimately imposed the agreed

indefinite sentence of five to six years in prison.

       {¶ 15} After sentencing, Jackson appealed from his conviction. As previously

discussed, Jackson’s appellate counsel filed a brief under the authority of Anders, 386

U.S. 738, 87 S.Ct. 1396, 18 L.Ed.2d 493, asserting the absence of any issues with

arguable merit for appeal. Counsel did not raise any potential assignments of error in

the Anders brief. Jackson, however, filed a pro se brief raising seven assignments of

error for review. Therefore, we will first review Jackson’s pro se assignments of error

and then conduct an independent review of the record as required by Anders.

                                    Standard of Review

       {¶ 16} In Anders cases, we are charged with conducting an independent review of

the record “to determine whether any issues involving potentially reversible error that are
                                                                                         -9-

raised by appellate counsel or by a defendant in his pro se brief are ‘wholly frivolous.’ ”

State v. Marbury, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 19226, 2003-Ohio-3242, ¶ 7, quoting Anders

at 744. An issue is wholly frivolous if it lacks arguable merit, meaning that “on the facts

and law involved, no responsible contention can be made that it offers a basis for

reversal.” Id. at ¶ 8, citing State v. Pullen, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 19232, 2002-Ohio-

6788, ¶ 4. If we find that any issue—whether presented by appellate counsel, presented

by the appellant, or found through an independent analysis—is not wholly frivolous, we

must appoint different appellate counsel to represent the appellant. Id. at ¶ 7, citing

Pullen.

                              Pro Se Assignments of Error

       {¶ 17} The arguments raised under Jackson’s first six pro se assignments of error

all concern Jackson’s claim that he was denied his right to a speedy trial. To assist in

addressing each of these arguments, we will first discuss the general principles of law

pertaining to speedy trial claims.

                           Constitutional Right to Speedy Trial

       {¶ 18} The right to a speedy trial is guaranteed by the Sixth Amendment to the

United States Constitution and by Section 10, Article I of the Ohio Constitution. State v.

Taylor, 2d Dist. Greene No. 2021-CA-2, 2021-Ohio-2701, ¶ 7, citing State v. Lackey,

2015-Ohio-5492, 55 N.E.3d 613, ¶ 21 (2d Dist.), citing State v. Adams, 43 Ohio St.3d 67,

68, 538 N.E.2d 1025 (1989). To determine whether a defendant’s constitutional right to
                                                                                            -10-

a speedy trial has been violated, courts should apply the four-factor balancing test in

Barker v. Wingo, 407 U.S. 514, 92 S.Ct. 2182, 33 L.Ed.2d 101 (1972). The four factors

to be balanced are: (1) the length of the delay between accusation and trial; (2) the reason

for the delay; (3) the defendant’s assertion, if any, of his right to a speedy trial; and (4)

the prejudice, if any, to the defendant. State v. Voris, 2d Dist. Miami No. 2021-CA-2,

2022-Ohio-152, ¶ 16, citing Barker, Doggett v. United States, 505 U.S. 647, 651, 112

S.Ct. 2686, 120 L.Ed.2d 520 (1992), and State v. Adams, 144 Ohio St.3d 429, 2015-Ohio-

3954, 45 N.E.3d 127, ¶ 88. “[T]hese four factors are balanced considering the totality of

the circumstances, with no one factor controlling.” State v. Perkins, 2d Dist. Clark No.

2008-CA-81, 2009-Ohio-3033, ¶ 8, citing Barker.

       {¶ 19} We note that “[u]ntil there is some delay which is presumptively prejudicial,

there is no necessity for inquiry into the other [three] factors that go into the balance.”

Barker at 530; Adams at ¶ 89.          “A delay becomes presumptively prejudicial as it

approaches one year in length.” Adams at ¶ 90, citing Doggett at 652. However, “a

finding of ‘presumptive prejudice’ is merely a triggering mechanism under the first Barker

factor, which justifies an inquiry into the other three factors.” Voris at ¶ 24, citing State

v. Kraus, 2d Dist. Greene No. 2011-CA-35, 2013-Ohio-393, ¶ 23.

                              Statutory Right to Speedy Trial

       {¶ 20} In Ohio, the constitutional right to a speedy trial is statutorily enforced by the

provisions in R.C. 2945.71 et seq. Lackey, 2015-Ohio-5492, 55 N.E.3d 613, at ¶ 21,

citing Adams at 68. Under R.C. 2945.71(C)(2), the State is required to bring a felony
                                                                                               -11-

defendant to trial within 270 days after the defendant’s arrest. Each day the person is

held in jail in lieu of bail on the pending charge is counted as three days.                  R.C.

2945.71(E). Therefore, if a felony defendant is held in jail the entire time preceding trial,

the time for bringing the defendant to trial is reduced to 90 days. Voris at ¶ 26, citing

State v. Dankworth, 172 Ohio App.3d 159, 2007-Ohio-2588, 873 N.E.2d 902, ¶ 31 (2d

Dist.). “For a violation of the rights these sections confer, a defendant may seek a

discharge from criminal liability pursuant to R.C. 2945.73.” State v. Kerby, 162 Ohio

App.3d 353, 2005-Ohio-3734, 833 N.E.2d 757, ¶ 18.

                                   First Assignment of Error

       {¶ 21} Under his first assignment of error, Jackson contends that his right to a

speedy trial was violated because the trial court did not schedule his trial date in

accordance with R.C. 2945.02. R.C. 2945.02 provides that: “The court of common pleas

shall set all criminal cases for trial for a day not later than thirty days after the date of entry

of the plea of the defendant.” The statute also provides that: “The failure of the court to

set such criminal cases for trial, as required by this section, does not operate as an

acquittal[.]” R.C. 2945.02.

       {¶ 22} In this case, it is clear from the record that Jackson’s case was not set for

trial within 30 days after Jackson pled not guilty at his arraignment hearing.               R.C.

2945.02, however, specifically indicates that the trial court’s failure to comply with the 30-

day requirement does not operate as an acquittal.               Such a failure also does not

necessarily amount to a speedy-trial violation. As previously discussed, a speedy trial
                                                                                             -12-

violation is determined by applying the four-factor balancing test in Barker and the

relevant provisions in R.C. 2945.71 et seq.          Therefore, contrary to Jackson’s claim

otherwise, the trial court’s failure to set a trial date within 30 days after Jackson’s

arraignment was not a basis for dismissing the indicted charges on speedy trial grounds.

         {¶ 23} For the foregoing reasons, Jackson’s first assignment of error lacks

arguable merit.

                       Second, Third, and Fourth Assignments of Error

         {¶ 24} Jackson’s second, third, and fourth assignments of error all relate to

whether the trial court violated the speedy trial time requirement set forth in R.C. 2945.71.

Specifically, Jackson claims that the trial court took too long to rule on his pending motions

to dismiss and suppress, and that the resulting delay deprived him of his right to a speedy

trial.

         {¶ 25} The record indicates that Jackson was held in jail in lieu of bail from the date

of his arrest, April 10, 2020. Therefore, the triple-count provision in R.C. 2945.71(E)

applied, and the State was required to bring Jackson to trial within 90 days after April 10,

2020. This time limit, however, may be extended or “tolled” for the reasons listed in R.C.

2945.72. State v. Sanchez, 110 Ohio St.3d 274, 2006-Ohio-4478, 853 N.E.2d 283, ¶ 8.

As relevant to this case, those reasons include:

         (E) Any period of delay necessitated by reason of a plea in bar or

         abatement, motion, proceeding, or action made or instituted by the accused;

         ***
                                                                                       -13-

      (G) Any period during which trial is stayed pursuant to an express statutory

      requirement, or pursuant to an order of another court competent to issue

      such order;

      (H) The period of any continuance granted on the accused’s own motion,

      and the period of any reasonable continuance granted other than upon the

      accused’s own motion[.]

R.C. 2945.72(E), (G) and (H).

      {¶ 26} Jackson does not dispute that his 90-day speedy trial time was tolled as a

result of the General Assembly’s passing Am.Sub.H.B. 197 in response to the COVID-19

pandemic. This legislation applied to Jackson because it tolled speedy trial times that

were set to expire between March 9, 2020 and July 30, 2020, and Jackson’s speedy trial

time was set to expire on July 9, 2020. The tolling order “effectively [froze] time from

March 9 until the expiration of the order. For example, if a deadline was set to expire on

March 19 (10 days after the effective date of the order), then the deadline [would] expire

10 days after the end of the emergency period.” State v. Lewis, 2d Dist. Montgomery

No. 28962, 2021-Ohio-1895, ¶ 42. “The Supreme Court of Ohio also issued an order on

March 27, 2020, tolling deadlines retroactively for the same period of time.” Id. at ¶ 41,

citing In re Tolling of Time Requirements Imposed by Rules Promulgated by Supreme

Court & Use of Technology, 158 Ohio St.3d 1447, 2020-Ohio-1166, 141 N.E.3d 974.

      {¶ 27} As previously noted, Jackson’s speedy trial deadline was set to expire on

July 9, 2020, which was 122 days after the effective date of the tolling order. Therefore,

Jackson’s new speedy trial deadline was calculated by adding 122 days to the tolling
                                                                                                 -14-

order’s expiration date (July 30, 2020). Id. at ¶ 42-43. Accordingly, the tolling order

extended Jackson’s speedy trial deadline to November 29, 2020.

          {¶ 28} In addition to that tolling period, Jackson’s motion to suppress tolled the

speedy trial time pursuant to R.C. 2945.72(E), as did the multiple pro se motions that

Jackson subsequently filed in order to have two of his appointed counsels removed. The

pro se motions resulted in several hearings and continuances that also delayed the trial

court’s ability to rule on the motion to suppress. Because of this, the suppression matter

was not deemed submitted to the trial court until October 21, 2020. Shortly after the

suppression matter was deemed submitted, Jackson filed an appeal on November 10,

2020, which divested the trial court of jurisdiction over the case. The appeal was also a

tolling event under R.C. 2945.72(E).         Furthermore, while the appeal was pending,

Jackson filed a pro se motion to dismiss the indicted charges on speedy trial grounds,

which tolled the speedy trial time under R.C. 2945.72(E) as well.

          {¶ 29} The following is a breakdown of the tolling events and the days tolled as a

result of the motions, continuances, and the appeal filed by Jackson:

   Days           Tolling Period                             Tolling Events
  Tolled

 0 days      6-30-2020 to 7-30-2020   Motion to Suppress - R.C. 2945.72(E)
                                           • June 30, 2020 – Jackson’s appointed counsel files a
                                               motion to suppress.
                                      (This event takes place within the period of the COVID-19
                                      tolling order, which expired on July 30, 2020. Therefore, the
                                      period of time between the filing of the motion to suppress
                                      and the expiration of the tolling order was already tolled by
                                      virtue of the COVID-19 tolling order.)
                                                                                                   -15-

25 days   7-30-2020 to 8-24-2020     Motion to Suppress Continued- R.C. 2945.72(E)
                                        • July 30, 2020 - The trial court holds a hearing on
                                            Jackson’s motion to suppress.
                                        • August 6, 2020 - Jackson files a post-hearing brief on
                                            motion to suppress.
                                        • August 7, 2020 - State files a response opposing
                                            Jackson’s post-hearing brief.
                                        • August 24, 2020 - The trial court’s suppression ruling
                                            is delayed by Jackson’s filing his first pro se motion to
                                            remove counsel.

25 days   8-24-2020 to 9-18-2020     First Pro Se Motion to Remove Counsel - R.C. 2945.72(E)
                                         • August 24, 2020 - Jackson files his first pro se motion
                                              to remove counsel.
                                         • September 16, 2020 - The trial court converts
                                              scheduling conference to a hearing on Jackson’s
                                              motion to remove counsel.
                                         • September 18, 2020 – The trial court issues an order
                                              appointing new counsel to Jackson.

14 days   9-23-2020 to 10-7-2020     Requested Continuance - R.C. 2945.72(H)
                                        • September 23, 2020 - Jackson’s new counsel requests
                                            a two-week continuance of the September 23rd
                                            scheduling conference in order to obtain further
                                            discovery from the State. The trial court granted
                                            the requested continuance and reset the scheduling
                                            conference for October 7, 2021.

7 days    10-7-2020 to 10-14-2020    Second Pro Se Motion to Remove Counsel - R.C. 2945.72(E)
                                        • October 7, 2020 - The trial court continues the
                                            scheduling conference due to Jackson’s filing a
                                            second pro se motion to remove counsel on
                                            September 30, 2020.
                                        • October 14, 2020 - The trial court holds a waiver of
                                            right to counsel hearing.

20 days   10-21-2020 to 11-10-2020   Motion to Suppress Continued - R.C. 2945.72(E)
                                        • October 21, 2020 – The trial court deems the
                                            suppression matter officially submitted to the court
                                            following Jackson waiving his right to counsel.
                                                                                                 -16-

                                         •   November 10, 2020 – The suppression ruling is
                                             delayed by Jacksons filing an appeal which divests the
                                             trial court of jurisdiction.

 44 days   11-10-2020 to 12-24-2020   Appeal - R.C. 2945.72(E)
                                         • November 10, 2020 - Jackson files notice of appeal.
                                         • December 24, 2020 - Jackson’s appeal is dismissed.

 120       12-24-2020 to 4-23-2021    Pro Se Motion to Dismiss - R.C. 2945.72(E)
 days                                     • December 15, 2020 - Jackson files a pro se motion to
                                             dismiss the indicted charges on speedy trial grounds,
                                             which the trial court did not have jurisdiction to
                                             consider until after the appeal was dismissed on
                                             December 24, 2020.
                                          • February 10, 2021 - The trial court holds a brief
                                             hearing on Jackson’s motion to dismiss and grants the
                                             State three weeks to file a memorandum in response
                                             and grants Jackson two weeks to file a reply.
                                          • April 23, 2021 - The trial court overrules Jackson’s
                                             motion to dismiss.

 56 days   4-23-2021 to 6-18-2021     Motion to Suppress Continued - R.C. 2945.72(E)
                                         • June 18, 2021 – The trial court overrules Jackson’s
                                             motion to suppress approximately two months after
                                             overruling Jackson’s motion to dismiss.

        {¶ 30} When added together, the foregoing breakdown of days tolled shows that a

total of 311 days were tolled for reasons set forth in R.C. 2945.72. That extended the

November 29, 2020 speedy trial deadline occasioned by Am.Sub.H.B. 197 to October 6,

2021. The record indicates that Jackson’s trial was scheduled on July 12, 2021, which

was well before the October 6, 2021 deadline. Therefore, we do not find that the trial

court violated the speedy trial time requirement under R.C. 2945.71, as the delay in
                                                                                          -17-

bringing Jackson to trial was permitted under the provisions of R.C. 2945.72.

Accordingly, there was no statutory speedy trial violation.

       {¶ 31} Although not specifically argued by Jackson, we also do not find a

constitutional speedy trial violation.      As previously noted, we use the four-factor

balancing test in Barker to determine whether a constitutional speedy trial violation has

occurred. Voris, 2d Dist. Miami No. 2021-CA-2, 2022-Ohio-152, at ¶ 16, citing Barker,

407 U.S. 514, 92 S.Ct. 2182, 33 L.Ed.2d 101. The first factor—the length of the delay

between accusation and trial—triggers our review of the other three factors since the

delay in this case is over a year and thus presumptively prejudicial. See id. at ¶ 24;

Adams, 144 Ohio St.3d 429, 2015-Ohio-3954, 45 N.E.3d 127, at ¶ 90, citing Doggett, 505

U.S. 647 at 652, 112 S.Ct. 2686, 120 L.Ed.2d 520. As previously discussed, the three

other factors are: (1) the reason for the delay; (2) whether the defendant asserted his right

to a speedy trial; and (3) whether the defendant suffered any prejudice. Voris at ¶ 16,

citing Barker. (Other citations omitted.)

       {¶ 32} In reviewing those factors, we find that Jackson asserted his right to a

speedy trial multiple times during the proceedings in this case and in his pro se motion to

dismiss, which weighs in favor of finding a constitutional speedy trial violation. Voris at

¶ 23. However, the record also reveals that the delay in this case was largely attributable

to Jackson’s continuous filings and to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, which was

outside the trial court’s control. This weighs against finding a constitutional speedy trial

violation. Id. at ¶ 22. Since the delay was largely attributable to Jackson’s own actions,

we also find no resulting prejudice, which also weighs against finding a constitutional
                                                                                        -18-

speedy trial violation.   Id. at ¶ 24-25.   While we agree that the trial court took an

extended period of time to rule on Jackson’s motion to suppress, we find that the delay

was reasonable given the ongoing, unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, which has

caused considerable backlogs and scheduling difficulties in the trial courts. Therefore,

when weighing these factors, we do not find a constitutional speedy trial violation under

the circumstances of this case.

       {¶ 33} For the foregoing reasons, Jackson’s second, third, and fourth assignments

of error lack arguable merit.

                                  Fifth Assignment of Error

       {¶ 34} Under his fifth assignment of error, Jackson contends that his right to a

speedy trial was violated because the trial court failed to comply with Rule 39 of the Ohio

Rules of Superintendence. That rule provides, in relevant part, as follows:

       (B) Criminal Case Time Limits.

       (1) In common pleas court, all criminal cases shall be tried within six months

       of the date of arraignment on an indictment or information. In municipal and

       county court, all criminal cases shall be tried within the time provided in

       Chapter 2945 of the Revised Code. Whenever a hearing or trial time is

       extended or shortened pursuant to section 2945.72 of the Revised Code or

       Criminal Rule 5 or 45, the judge shall state the reason for the change in an

       order and journalize the order.

Sup.R. 39(B)(1).
                                                                                          -19-

       {¶ 35} It is well-established that “ ‘the Rules of Superintendence are only general

guidelines for the court to follow * * * and do not give rise to substantive rights. * * * In

other words, the Ohio Rules of Superintendence are purely internal housekeeping rules

which do not create substantive rights in individuals or procedural law.” In re J.S., 2d

Dist. Clark No. 2013-CA-48, 2013-Ohio-5756, ¶ 44, quoting In re R.S., 4th Dist. Highland

No. 11CA29, 2012-Ohio-2016, ¶ 41. Because “the Rules of Superintendence do not

alter the basic substantive rights of a criminal defendant[,]” Jackson cannot use Sup.R.

39(B)(1) to establish that his speedy trial rights were violated. State v. Burnette, 7th Dist.

Columbiana No. 09 CO 44, 2011-Ohio-6400, ¶ 13, citing State v. Singer, 50 Ohio St.2d

103, 110, 362 N.E.2d 1216 (1977).         Whether Jackson’s right to a speedy trial was

violated is instead determined by applying the four-factor balancing test in Barker and the

relevant provisions in R.C. 2945.71 et seq.

       {¶ 36} For the foregoing reasons, Jackson’s fifth assignment of error lacks

arguable merit.

                                 Sixth Assignment of Error

       {¶ 37} Under his sixth assignment of error, Jackson contends that the trial court

erred by failing to grant his December 15, 2020 motion to dismiss because the trial court

misconstrued the motion as challenging the sufficiency of the indictment as opposed to

raising a speedy trial violation. While the trial court did analyze the sufficiency of the

indictment in its decision overruling Jackson’s motion to dismiss, the trial court also

determined that there was no speedy trial violation since the speedy trial time had been
                                                                                          -20-

tolled by Jackson filing a motion to suppress—a motion which was still pending at the

time Jackson filed his motion to dismiss. As discussed more fully under Jackson’s

second, third, and fourth assignments of error, we find that, due to various tolling events

caused by Jackson and the COVID-19 pandemic, Jackson was not subject to a

constitutional or statutory speedy trial violation. Therefore, the trial court did not err in

denying Jackson’s motion to dismiss.

       {¶ 38} For the foregoing reasons, Jackson’s sixth assignment of error lacks

arguable merit.

                               Seventh Assignment of Error

       {¶ 39} Under his seventh assignment of error, Jackson contends that the trial court

erred by overruling his presentence motion to withdraw his no contest plea without holding

a hearing.

       {¶ 40} In State v. Xie, 62 Ohio St.3d 521, 584 N.E.2d 715 (1992), the Supreme

Court of Ohio held that when ruling on a presentence motion to withdraw a plea, “[a] trial

court must conduct a hearing to determine whether there is a reasonable and legitimate

basis for the withdrawal of the plea.” Id. at paragraph one of the syllabus. Xie, however,

did not specifically indicate what type of hearing is required for such a motion. State v.

Hurlburt, 10th Dist. Franklin No. 12AP-231, 2013-Ohio-767, ¶ 7; State v. Robinson, 8th

Dist. Cuyahoga No. 89651, 2008-Ohio-4866, ¶ 24; State v. Taylor, 12th Dist. Butler No.

CA2013-10-186, 2014-Ohio-3080, ¶ 9.

       {¶ 41} This court has previously held that a trial court’s “inviting and hearing oral
                                                                                         -21-

arguments on a motion to withdraw a guilty plea at the sentencing hearing, immediately

before sentence is imposed, can constitute a full and fair hearing on that motion.” State

v. Forest, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 19649, 2003-Ohio-1945, ¶ 19, citing State v.

Holloman, 2d Dist. Greene No. 2000-CA-82, 2001 WL 699533 (June 22, 2001) and State

v. Mooty, 2d Dist. Greene No. 2000-CA-72, 2001 WL 991976 (Aug. 31, 2001). Accord

State v. Santiago, 195 Ohio App.3d 649, 2011-Ohio-5292, 961 N.E.2d 264, ¶ 75 (2d Dist.)

(Hall, J., concurring in part and dissenting in part), citing Forest, Holloman, Mooty, State

v. Griffin, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 82832, 2004-Ohio-1246, State v. Hairston, 10th Dist.

Franklin Nos. 07AP-160 and 07AP-161, 2007-Ohio-5928, and State v. Eversole, 6th Dist.

Erie Nos. E-05-073, E-05-076, E-05-074, and E-05-075, 2006-Ohio-3988 (“Time and

again, this court and other courts of appeals have found a hearing on a motion to withdraw

a plea to be adequate when it consisted of no more than a brief opportunity for the defense

to state the reasons why the defendant wanted to withdraw his plea.”).

       {¶ 42} “An opportunity to be heard with respect to a motion to withdraw a guilty

plea requires, at a bare minimum, an opportunity to inform the trial court of the basis for

the motion.” State v. Burnett, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 20496, 2005-Ohio-1036, ¶ 23.

Therefore, “[i]f a trial court invites and hears argument on a motion to withdraw a guilty

plea at a sentencing hearing before it imposes sentence, this procedure may constitute a

full and fair motion hearing.” State v. Harmon, 4th Dist. Pickaway No. 20CA6, 2021-

Ohio-2610, ¶ 25, citing Griffin at ¶ 18, Holloman, and Mooty.

       {¶ 43} In this case, Jackson filed a presentence motion to withdraw his no contest

plea that provided absolutely no basis for withdrawing the plea. Jackson’s motion was
                                                                                          -22-

nothing more than a general request to have his plea withdrawn. Prior to imposing a

sentence, the trial court addressed the motion at Jackson’s sentencing hearing by asking

Jackson and his counsel if they wanted to add anything to the motion. Jackson’s counsel

declined to make any comment about the motion and Jackson specifically indicated that

he had nothing further to add. Therefore, no basis for withdrawing the plea, let alone a

reasonable and legitimate one, was provided to the trial court at the hearing.

       {¶ 44} It was not until after the trial court overruled the motion that Jackson spoke

up and claimed that he had filed the motion because he felt that he had been forced to

take the plea and because he had not had a chance to speak with his counsel about the

plea. The record, however, establishes that Jackson did have an opportunity to speak

with counsel about his no contest plea. Jackson specifically advised the trial court at the

plea hearing that he had the opportunity to discuss the no contest plea with his counsel

and that no further discussion was needed on the matter. See Plea Hearing Trans. (July

12, 2021), p. 114. In any event, the trial court had already ruled on the motion and was

not obligated to address Jackson’s latent claims, which at best would be considered a

motion for reconsideration—a legal nullity at the trial court level. State ex rel. Pendell v.

Adams Cty. Bd. of Elections, 40 Ohio St.3d 58, 60, 531 N.E.2d 713 (1988); Pitts v. Ohio

Dept. of Transp., 67 Ohio St.2d 378, 381, 423 N.E.2d 1105 (1981); Cleveland Hts. v.

Richardson, 9 Ohio App.3d 152, 154, 458 N.E.2d 901 (8th Dist.1983); State v. Kramer,

10th Dist. Franklin No. 03AP-633, 2004-Ohio-2646, ¶ 7.

       {¶ 45} We note that this case is distinguishable from our holding in Burnett, 2d Dist.

Montgomery No. 20496, 2005-Ohio-1036, wherein we reversed the trial court’s judgment
                                                                                            -23-

overruling a motion to withdraw a guilty plea under circumstances where the trial court

overruled the motion without ever hearing from counsel or the defendant as to the basis

of the motion. Unlike Burnett, the trial court in this case provided Jackson and his

counsel an opportunity to state a basis for the motion at the sentencing hearing, but they

provided none. Therefore, the present case is not like Burnett or other similar cases

where the trial court simply failed to hold any hearing at all. See, e.g., Robinson, 8th

Dist. Cuyahoga No. 89651, 2008-Ohio-4866, at ¶ 30-34; Hurlburt, 10th Dist. Franklin No.

12AP-231, 2013-Ohio-767, at ¶ 7.

       {¶ 46} The present case is also distinguishable from our holding in State v. Bush,

2d Dist. Clark Nos. 2015-CA-39, 2015-CA-40, 2015-CA-41, 2015-CA-42, 2016-Ohio-

5536, wherein the appellant moved to withdraw his guilty plea and actually made factual

assertions and referred to documents and evidence in support of his motion at the

sentencing hearing. In Bush, we found that although the trial court gave the appellant

an opportunity to explain the basis for his motion, the trial court erred by failing to hold an

evidentiary hearing on the motion so that the defendant could call witnesses and present

his documentary evidence. Id. at ¶ 12-14. Unlike the defendant in Bush, however,

Jackson made no factual assertions or references to documentary evidence in support of

his motion to withdraw no contest plea.        Therefore, an evidentiary hearing was not

necessary in this case. Instead, the hearing requirement was satisfied by the trial court’s

giving Jackson and his counsel an opportunity to state a basis for the motion at the

sentencing hearing.

       {¶ 47} For the foregoing reasons, Jackson’s seventh assignment of error lacks
                                                                                  -24-

arguable merit.

                             Independent Anders Review

      {¶ 48} In addition to reviewing Jackson’s pro se assignments of error, we

conducted an independent review of the record as required by Anders, 386 U.S. 738, 87

S.Ct. 1396, 18 L.Ed.2d 493. Our independent review, however, revealed no issues with

arguable merit for Jackson to advance on appeal.

                                      Conclusion

      {¶ 49} Because Jackson’s pro se arguments lack arguable merit, and because our

independent Anders review revealed no issues with arguable merit for Jackson to

advance on appeal, the judgment of the trial court is affirmed.

                                     .............

DONOVAN, J. and EPLEY, J., concur.

Copies sent to:

Mathias H. Heck, Jr.
Andrew T. French
Byron K. Shaw
Barnard M. Jackson
Hon. Dennis J. Adkins