State v. Fisher , 2012 Ohio 6144 ( 2012 )

[Cite as State v. Fisher, 2012-Ohio-6144.]
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
FOURTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
ROSS COUNTY
STATE OF OHIO, :
:
Plaintiff-Appellee, : Case No. 11CA3292
:
vs. : RELEASED 12/07/12
:
JASON D. FISHER, : DECISION AND JUDGMENT
: ENTRY
Defendant-Appellant. :
_____________________________________________________________
APPEARANCES:
Stephen K. Sesser, Chillicothe, Ohio, for Appellant.
Matthew S. Schmidt, Ross County Prosecuting Attorney, Richard W. Clagg,
Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, Chillicothe, Ohio, for Appellee.
_____________________________________________________________
McFarland, J.:
{¶1} Appellant, Jason D. Fisher, appeals his conviction of one count of
possession of cocaine by the Ross County Court of Common Pleas. Appellant
asserts the trial court erred when it overruled Appellant’s motion to dismiss the
charge against him on speedy trial grounds. For the reasons which follow, we
agree. Accordingly, we reverse the decision of the trial court and discharge the
Appellant.
Ross App. No. 11CA3292 2
FACTS
{¶2} On October 16, 2009, Appellant was indicted on one count of
possession of crack cocaine, in violation of R.C. 2925.11(A). The trial court
docket reflects Appellant was served the indictment on March 26, 2010, and
arrested the same day. He was arraigned on March 29, 2010. Appellant was
held on a $50,000.00 cash or real estate bond, which he never posted. The trial
court established a jury trial date of June 8, 2010.
{¶3} During the pendency of the proceedings, Appellant’s initial counsel
filed a motion to withdraw. When Appellant obtained new counsel, a motion
for leave to file a motion to suppress was filed. In addition, Appellant
subsequently filed: (1) a request for preservation of specimen of substances for
the purposes of independent analysis by a defense expert, and (2) a motion for
production of laboratory data for the purposes of independent review.
{¶4} Likewise, the State of Ohio also filed various motions throughout
2010 and 2011. The State filed a motion to compel. The State also filed five
motions to continue the jury trial date. Four of the motions to continue were
based upon the unavailability of the State’s key witnesses. The fifth motion to
continue was based upon the unavailability of the assistant prosecuting
attorney. Eventually, a trial date of June 15, 2011 was established by the trial
court.
Ross App. No. 11CA3292 3
{¶5} On May 19, 2011, Appellant filed a motion to dismiss for the
State’s failure to bring him to trial within the statutory speedy trial time limits
set forth in R.C. 2945.71. The trial court vacated the June trial date and set the
motion to dismiss for hearing on July 5, 2011. The motion to dismiss was
denied at the hearing. The court rescheduled trial for September 7 and 8, 2011.
{¶6} The jury trial commenced on September 7, 2011. On September 8,
2011, the duly empaneled jury found Appellant guilty as charged. Appellant
was sentenced on September 29, 2011. This appeal ensued.
ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR
I. THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN OVERRULING FISHER’S
MOTION TO DISMISS ON SPEEDY TRIAL GROUNDS.
LEGAL ANALYSIS
{¶7} In his sole assignment of error, Appellant asserts that he was
entitled to a dismissal of the charge against him, based on failure to try him in
accordance within the statutory speedy trial time limit. Specifically, Appellant
argues that his right to speedy trial was violated because the State of Ohio
repeatedly filed motions to continue his trial, based on unavailability of
witnesses and unavailability of an assistant prosecutor. Appellant contends that
the State’s requests were not reasonable or supported by the record. Appellee
has responded that it used due diligence in attempting to secure its witnesses
Ross App. No. 11CA3292 4
for trial and that Appellant fails to recognize his own actions in causing initial
delays in bringing the case to trial.
STANDARD OF REVIEW
{¶8} We begin by noting that appellate review of a trial court’s decision
regarding a motion to dismiss based upon a violation of the speedy trial
provisions involves a mixed question of law and fact. See, e.g., State v.
Horsley, 4th Dist. No. 10CA3152, 2011-Ohio-1355, 2011 WL 1025113, at ¶9;
State v. Skinner, 4th Dist. No. 06CA2931, 2007-Ohio-6320, 2007 WL
4200591, at ¶9. We accord due deference to the trial court’s findings of fact if
supported by competent credible evidence. However, we independently review
whether the trial court properly applied the law to the facts of the case. Id. See
e.g., State v. Woltz, 4th Dist. No. 93CA1980, 1994 WL655905. Furthermore,
when reviewing the legal issues presented in a speedy trial claim, we must
strictly construe the relevant statutes against the state. Skinner, at ¶8;
Brecksville v. Cook, 75 Ohio St.3d 53, 57, 1996-Ohio-171, 661 N.E.2d 706;
State v. Miller, 113 Ohio App.3d 606, 608, 681 N.E.2d 90 (1996); State v.
Cloud, 122 Ohio App.3d 626, 702 N.E.2d 500 (1997).
STATUTORY RIGHT TO SPEEDY TRIAL
{¶9} Ohio recognizes both a constitutional and statutory right to a
speedy trial. State v. Alexander, 4th Dist. No. 08CA3221, 2009-Ohio-1401,
2009 WL 795212, at ¶15. See e.g. State v. King, 70 Ohio St.3d 158, 1994-
Ross App. No. 11CA3292 5
Ohio-412,637 N.E.2d 903, syllabus. R.C. 2945.71 embodies the statutory right
and states “a person against whom a charge of felony is pending shall be
brought to trial within two hundred seventy (270) days after his arrest.” R.C.
2945.71(C)(2). Section 10, Article I of the Ohio Constitution and the Sixth
Amendment to the United States Constitution embody the constitutional right
to a speedy trial. Alexander, at ¶15, citing State v. Selvage, 80 Ohio St.3d 465,
466, 1997-Ohio-287, 687 N.E.2d 433. See, also, Klopfer v. North Carolina,
386 U.S. 213, 223, 87 S.Ct. 988 (1967) (applying the Sixth Amendment to the
states through application of the Fourteenth Amendment).
{¶10} Under R.C. 2945.71(E), each day that a defendant is incarcerated
in lieu of bond on the pending charge counts as three days. State v. Toler, 4th
Dist. No. 09CA3 101, 2009-Ohio-6669, 2009 WL 4863350, at ¶17.
{¶11} An accused presents a prima facie case for discharge by
demonstrating his case was pending for a time exceeding the statutory limits
provided in R.C. 2945.71. Id.; State v. Butcher, 27 Ohio St.3d 28, 30-31, 500
N.E.2d (1986). The burden then shifts to the state to produce evidence
demonstrating that the accused was not entitled to be brought to trial within the
two hundred seventy (270) day period. State v. Chambers, 4th Dist. No.
10CA12, 2011-Ohio-1055, 2011 WL 809571, at ¶11, citing State v. Baker, 92
Ohio App.3d 516, 525, 636 N.E.2d 363 (1993).
Ross App. No. 11CA3292 6
{¶12} R.C. 2945.72 sets forth the circumstances under which the two
hundred seventy (270) day period may be extended. The running of the
speedy-trial clock may be temporarily stopped, or tolled, only for reasons listed
in R.C. 2945.72, which states in pertinent part:
“[the time within which an accused must be brought to trial, or, in the case of
felony, to preliminary hearing and trial, may be extended only by the
following:***(D) Any period of delay occasioned by the neglect or improper
act of the accused; (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;***(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 (D), (E), and (H). State v. King,
3rd Dist. No. 16-11-07, 2012-Ohio-1281, 2012 WL 1029454, at ¶33.
{¶13} These tolling events “do not unconditionally extend the time limit
in which an accused must be brought to trial, but, rather, this limit is ‘merely
extended by the time necessary in light of the reason for the delay.’” State v.
Arrizola, 79 Ohio App.3d 72, 75, 606 N.E.2d 1020, (3rd Dist.1992), quoting
Committee Comment to H.B. 511. “In reviewing a speedy-trial issue, a court is
required to count the days of delay chargeable to either side and determine
whether the case was tried within applicable time limits.” State v. Sanchez, 110
Ohio St.3d 274, 2006-Ohio-4478, 853 N.E.2d 283, ¶8.
{¶14} When computing any period of time prescribed by an applicable
statute, the date of the act or event from which the period begins to run is not
included. Alexander, at ¶18, citing State v. Saffin, 4th Dist. No. 07CA2967,
2008-Ohio-338, ¶9; R.C.1.14; Crim R.45(A). Time is calculated to run the day
Ross App. No. 11CA3292 7
after the date of arrest. State v. Miller, 9th Dist. Nos. 10CA009922,
10CA009915, 2012-Ohio-1263, 2012 WL 1020239, at ¶9, quoting State v.
Brownard, 9th Dist. No. 06CA009053, 2007-Ohio-4342, 2007 WL 2409752, at
¶12. Additionally, we do not include the date a motion was filed when
calculating speedy trial time, unless that date also was the date the court entered
an order resolving the motion. See e.g., Toler, at ¶19. See also Staffin, at ¶9,
fn. 1.
{¶15} Before we calculate the speedy trial time, we begin with a
summary of the relevant dates and events:
October 16, 2009 Indictment by Ross County
Grand Jury.
March 26, 2010 Indictment served; Appellant
arrested.
March 29, 2010 Appellant arraigned.
April 1, 2010 Court’s pretrial order;
jury trial June 8, 2010.
April 2, 2010 Appellant’s initial counsel files
motion to withdraw.
April 29, 2010 Appellant’s new counsel files
notice of appearance. 27 days
have elapsed between the
filing of the motion to
withdraw and the notice of
new counsel.
June 4, 2010 Appellant’s counsel files
motion for leave to file motion
Ross App. No. 11CA3292 8
to suppress.
August 20, 2010 Suppression hearing date. 77
days have elapsed between the
suppression filing and hearing
dates.
August 26, 2010 State files motion to compel.
August 30, 2010 State files 1st motion to
continue jury trial date of
September 2, 2010, based on
unavailability of Mary Cisco.
9 days have elapsed between
resolution of the suppression
motion and the State’s 1st
motion to continue.
September 1, 2010 Court grant’s State’s motion
to continue; new jury trial date
set for December 6, 2010.
September 9, 2010 Appellant’s request for
preservation of specimen of
substances for purposes of
independent analysis.
September 17, 2010 Court sustains State’s motion
to compel.
October 25, 2010 Court grants Appellant’s
request for preservation.
December 2, 2010 State files 2nd motion to
continue jury trial date of
December 6, 2010 based on
unavailability of Jeffrey
Turneau. 94 days have
elapsed between the filing of
the States 1st and 2nd motions
to continue trial.
Ross App. No. 11CA3292 9
December 15, 2010 Court grants State’s 2nd
motion to continue; trial
rescheduled to January 24,
2011.
December 21, 2010 Appellant files motion for
production of laboratory data
for purposes of independent
review; court grants motion.
January 20, 2011 State files 3rd motion to
continue trial based on
unavailability of Trooper
Mikesh. 47 days have elapsed
between the filing of the State’s
2nd and 3rd motions to
continue trial.
January 21, 2011 Court grants motion to
continue; sets new trial date
of April 20, 2011.
April 1, 2011 State files 4th motion to
continue trial based on the
unavailability of Jeffrey
Turneau; 71 days have elapsed
between the filing of the 3rd
4th State’s motions to continue.
April 12, 2011 Court grants State’s motion;
sets new trial date of May 19,
2011.
May 11, 2011 State files 5th motion to
continue based on
unavailability of the
assistant prosecuting attorney.
40 days have elapsed between
the filing of the State’s 4th
and 5th motions to continue.
Ross App. No. 11CA3292 10
May 18, 2011 Court grants motion; sets new
trial date of June 15, 2011.
May 19, 2011 Appellant files motion to
dismiss based on speedy trial
grounds; court sets hearing on
motion for July 5, 2011. 8 days
elapse between the 5th motion
to continue and Appellant’s
motion to dismiss.
July 5, 2011 Court denies Appellant’s
motion to dismiss in open
court; entry denying motion
filed July 22, 2011; new trial
set for September 7, 2011.
47 days elapse between the
filing of Appellant’s motion to
dismiss and the court’s ruling.
{¶16} Here, Appellant was arrested on March 26, 2010. The speedy trial
count begins one day later on March 27, 2010. Appellant never posted bond
and was held in jail on the single charge. Pursuant to the triple-count rule of
R.C. 2945.71(E), he had to be brought to trial in ninety (90) days, i.e. by June
24, 2010. As previously noted, Appellant was not brought to trial until
September 7, 2011, five hundred and thirty (530) days after his arrest.
Consequently, Appellant has made a prima facie showing that his speedy trial
rights were violated by four hundred and forty (440) days. We turn next to
analysis of the reasonableness and necessity of the continuances requested by
the State.
Ross App. No. 11CA3292 11
{¶17} Pursuant to R.C. 2945.72(H), the time within which an accused
must be brought to trial is extended by “[t]he 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.” State v. Carmon, 10th
Dist. No. 11AP-818, 2012-Ohio-1615, 2012 WL 1247173, at ¶16.
{¶18} It is permissible for a trial court to grant the state a continuance of
a trial date beyond the statutory speedy trial time limit if the continuance is
reasonable and necessary under the circumstances. State v. Baker,12th Dist.
No. CA2005-05-017, 2006-Ohio-2516, 2006 WL 1381698, at ¶33, citing State
v. Saffell, 35 Ohio St.3d 90, 91, 518 N.E.2d 934 (1988); Aurora v. Patrick, 61
Ohio St.2d 107, 109, 399 N.E.2d 1220 (1980). In these circumstances, the
concept of “reasonable” must be strictly construed against the state. State v.
Stamps, 127 Ohio App.3d 219, 224, 712 N.E.2d 762 (1998), fn. 5. If the
continuance is not reasonable, the continuance must be charged against the
state for speedy trial purposes. Id., at *225. “To evidence reasonable, [a
continuance] must be supported by an explanation.” Id. “[A] trial court must
journalize the continuance before the expiration of the time limit set forth in
R.C. 2945.71 and must state the reason for the continuance.” Id.
The State’s First Continuance
{¶19} August 30, 2010 was the State’s first motion for continuance. In
its motion, the State advised that Mary Cisco was unavailable for trial. The
Ross App. No. 11CA3292 12
State considered Ms. Cisco an essential witness because she had analyzed the
DNA which would prove ownership of the drugs at issue. The reason for
unavailability was “due to a pre-planned trip out of town. Further, she has a
previously issued subpoena to appear for trial in Butler County.” The record
reflects that on August 23, 2010, the State issued its subpoenas for necessary
witnesses to appear at trial on September 2, 2010. In its journal entry dated
September 1, 2010, the trial court found that the motion was well-taken and
reasonable as Cisco was a necessary state’s witness. The entry further noted
that the speedy trial provisions of 2945.71 were tolled pursuant to R.C.
2945.72(H). The trial was continued to December 6, 2010. This was the first
continuance sought by the State and was based upon the unavailability of a key
witness. Consequently, we consider the trial court’s decision to continue this
matter to have been reasonable and necessary under the circumstances. As a
result of this continuance, the trial date was extended to December 6, 2010.
During this time, ninety-eight (98) days would have elapsed, however, the State
sought a second continuance on December 2, 2010 and thus, ninety-four (94)
days actually elapsed.
The State’s Second Continuance
{¶20} The record reflects that subpoenas were issued to the State’s
necessary witnesses for the December 6th trial date on November 16, 2010.
The State’s second request to continue trial was made on December 2, 2010.
Ross App. No. 11CA3292 13
This motion stated that another essential witness, Jeffrey Turneau, was
unavailable to appear at trial on December 6th because of a previously issued
subpoena to appear in Licking County. The motion informed Mr. Turneau was
necessary because he analyzed the drugs in question and was a witness for the
chain of custody of DNA swabs used.
{¶21} The trial court granted the State’s motion, and the entry was
journalized on December 15, 2010. The court found the motion was well -
taken, the State’s witness was “necessary,” and the reason for continuance
reasonable. The trial was continued to January 24, 2011. The trial court also
noted that speedy trial provision was tolled pursuant to R.C. 2945.72(H). We
believe the State acted diligently in obtaining attendance of its witnesses for
trial. We also find the trial court properly journalized its decision and that the
continuance was reasonable under the circumstances. During this time, fifty-
one (51) days would have elapsed. However, the State requested a third
continuance on January 20, 2011. Thus forty-seven (47) days actually elapsed.
The State’s Third Continuance
{¶22} The State issued subpoenas for attendance at the third scheduled
trial date, January 24, 2011, on December 22, 2010. The State filed its third
motion to continue trial on January 20, 2011. The reason for this motion was
the unavailability of Trooper Teresa Mikesh, a canine handler who performed a
search of Appellant’s vehicle and acted as the arresting officer. It was advised
Ross App. No. 11CA3292 14
that Trooper Mikesh would be unavailable due to mandatory canine training.
On January 21, 2011, the trial court journalized its grant of the motion for
continuance, finding that Trooper Mikesh was necessary and the request was
reasonable. The court further noted that the speedy trial provisions of
2945.72(H) were tolled. The trial was continued to April 20, 2011. Again, we
find no impropriety with the journal entry or the reason for continuance. During
this time, ninety (90) days would have elapsed. However, on April 1, 2011, the
State requested a fourth continuance, and thus, seventy-one (71) days actually
elapsed.
The State’s Fourth Continuance
{¶23} The State’s fourth request for continuance was based upon, again,
the unavailability of Jeffrey Turneau. The State’s subpoenas for the pertinent
witnesses was filed March 16, 2011. The motion, filed April 1, 2011, stated
that Turneau was unavailable due to a previously issued subpoena for his
attendance in Knox County and, as previously noted, his necessity as a State’s
witness to prove chain of custody. On April 12, 2011, the trial court
journalized its entry of continuance again noting that the request was
reasonable as Turneau was a necessary state’s witness. The entry also stated
speedy trial provisions were tolled pursuant to R.C. 2945.72(H). The jury trial
was continued to May 19, 2011. During this time, forty-eight (48) days would
have elapsed. However, on May 11, 2011, the State requested its fifth and final
Ross App. No. 11CA3292 15
continuance so only forty (40) days actually elapsed. We also find this
continuance to be necessary and reasonable in light of the circumstances.
The State’s Fifth Continuance
{¶24} On May 6, 2011, a subpoena was issued for the necessary state
witnesses. The State then filed a motion to continue trial on May 11, 2011,
based on the unavailability of the prosecutor due to a pre-planned vacation, his
honeymoon. Defense counsel was notified of the request for continuance. The
trial court’s entry of May 18, 2011, states that for good cause shown, the trial
was continued to June 15, 2011, and that the speedy trial provisions were tolled
pursuant to R.C. 2945.72. On May 19, 2011, the State issued its subpoena for
the necessary witnesses to appear at the June trial date.
{¶25} Appellant asserts the State’s fifth request was not reasonable
because the assistant prosecutor had just been assigned the case in April or May
and the previous prosecutor had a fuller and more comprehensive knowledge of
the case, having been assigned it for the previous year or so. Thirty-five (35)
days would have elapsed between the fifth continuance request and the June
15th trial date. However, on May 19, 2011, Appellant filed his motion to
dismiss based on speedy trial grounds. Actually only eight (8) days elapsed.
{¶26} Throughout these proceedings, we perceive no lack of due
diligence on the part of the State in securing its witnesses. We also find that
the continuances requested were reasonable and supported by a properly
Ross App. No. 11CA3292 16
journalized record. We find the number of tolled days due to the State’s
requests for continuances totaled two hundred and sixty (260) days. Subtracting
two hundred and sixty (260) from the four hundred and forty (440) days of
overage, there remains one hundred and eighty (180) days of overage. We turn
next to consideration of delays caused by Appellant.
Appellant’s Attorney’s Motion to Withdraw
{¶27} On April 2, 2010, Appellant’s initial counsel filed a leave to
withdraw as attorney. On April 29, 2010, Appellant’s current counsel filed a
notice of representation. R.C. 2945.72 (C) provides that time for trial may be
extended in the circumstance wherein an accused is without counsel as follows:
“Any period of delay necessitated by the accused’s lack of counsel, provided
that such delay is not occasioned by any lack of diligence in providing counsel
to an indigent accused upon his request as required by law….” In this matter,
Appellant’s first attorney filed a motion to withdraw due to possible conflict
because he had previously represented Appellant’s co-defendant. The record
does not reflect that this motion was ruled on; however, new counsel eventually
filed a notice of appearance. The motion to withdraw constituted a tolling event
of twenty-seven (27) days, chargeable against Appellant. This time did not
overlap with any continuance granted to Appellee.
Appellant’s Motion to Suppress
Ross App. No. 11CA3292 17
{¶28} A defendant’s motion for discovery or for a bill of particulars tolls
the speedy trial clock. See e.g., State v. Brown, 98 Ohio St.3d 121, 2002-Ohio-
7040, 781 N.E.2d 159, syllabus. Additionally, a defense motion tolls the time,
for a reasonable time, even if the trial date is not rescheduled. Toler, at ¶20.
See, State v. Sanchez, 110 Ohio St.3d 274, 2006-Ohio- 4478, 853 N.E.2d
283,¶25-26. Courts also recognize that a motion to disclose the identity of a
confidential informant tolls the speedy trial clock. Toler, ¶20. See, e.g., State
v. Nelson,12th Dist. No. CA2007-11-046, 2009-Ohio-555, 2009 WL 295400, at
¶10. A motion to suppress was deemed to have contributed to delay, pursuant
to R.C. 2945.72 (E) in State v. Myers, 97 Ohio St. 3d 335, 780 N.E.2d 186(2002), at ¶44.
{¶29} In this matter, Appellant’s case was initially assigned to trial on
June 8, 2010. The trial assignment was made by entry dated April 30, 2010.
On May 20, 2010, the State issued subpoenas for its various witnesses to
appear on June 6, 2010.1 Appellant filed a motion for leave to file a motion to
suppress on June 4, 2010. Although there is no entry vacating the June 8th trial
date, there is an entry dated June 14, 2010, setting the suppression for hearing
on August 20, 2010. Pursuant to R.C. 2945.72(E), the suppression motion
constitutes a tolling event of seventy-seven (77) days between the June 4th
filing and the August 20th resolution of the motion. This time does not overlap
1
An apparently corrected subpoena was issued on May 24, 2010 for the same witnesses to appear at trial
on June 8, 2010.
Ross App. No. 11CA3292 18
with the first continuance requested by the State of Ohio. The new trial date
was scheduled pursuant to a scheduling order filed by the court on August 20,
2010, presumably after the conclusion of the suppression hearing. This time is
also chargeable against Appellant.
Appellant’s Motion to Dismiss
{¶30} Appellant filed his motion to dismiss and the June trial date was
vacated. The motion set for hearing on July 5, 2011. On July 5th, the motion
was overruled and trial rescheduled for September 6, 2011. During the time
between the filing of the motion to dismiss and the court’s ruling on it, forty-
seven (47) days elapsed. These days are chargeable against Appellant.
{¶31} The total number of days for delays chargeable against Appellant
is one hundred and fifty-one (151). After subtracting one hundred and fifty-one
(151) days from one hundred and eighty (180) days, the remaining amount of
overage after analysis of the continuances requested by Appellee, there
remained twenty-nine (29) days. For further purposes of clarity, we now
consider miscellaneous remaining events which transpired during these
proceedings.
The State’s Motion to Compel
{¶32} A defendant’s failure to respond within a reasonable time to a
prosecution’s request for reciprocal discovery constitutes neglect that tolls the
running of speedy-trial time pursuant to R.C. 2945.72(D). King, supra at 38,
Ross App. No. 11CA3292 19
citing State v. Palmer, 112 Ohio St.3d 457, 2007-Ohio-374, ¶24. Here, The
speedy trial clock had begun running again on August 20, 2010, after resolution
of the motion to suppress. Then, the State filed its motion to compel on August
26, 2010. The speedy trial clock tolled again on August 30, 2010, when the
State filed its first motion to continue. On September 17, 2010, the court
granted the State’s motion to compel. Discovery was not provided until
November 2, 2010. However, this time would run concurrent or overlap with
the time already granted on the State’s first continuance of trial until December
6, 2010, except for the nine (9) days between August 20, 2010 and August 30,
2010. This number of days would reduce the remaining overage from twenty-
nine (29) days to twenty (20) days.
Appellant’s request for preservation of substances for the purpose of
independent analysis
{¶33} On September 9, 2010, Appellant filed the above request. We
construe the request for preservation of substances and the supplemental
request for discovery as another tolling event. See State v. Miller, 9th Dist. No.
10CA009922, 10CA009915, 2012-Ohio-1263, 2012 WL 1020239, at ¶13,
(appellate court held that defense counsel’s request to continue trial for
purposes of obtaining and expert report from accident reconstructionist was
held to be tolling event.) The trial court granted Appellant’s request for
preservation on October 25, 2010. During this time, forty-six (46) days
Ross App. No. 11CA3292 20
elapsed. However, this time also coincides with the time previously granted as
the State’s first continuance. Therefore, the time overlaps and does not add
additional time for speedy trial purposes of the State.
Appellant’s motion for production of laboratory data for purposes of
independent review.
{¶34} Appellant also filed a motion for production of laboratory data for
purposes of independent review on December 21, 2010. The motion was
granted on the same date. However, at this point, the trial court had granted the
State’s second request for continuance and trial was currently scheduled for
January 24, 2011. Therefore, the one (1) day which would have been
chargeable against Appellee was encompassed in the continuance period.
{¶35} In the case sub judice, Appellant was held in jail on one charge
and should have been brought to trial within ninety (90) days. He was arrested
on March 27, 2010, and did not go to trial until September 7, 2011. He was
originally scheduled for trial on June 8, 2010, but he filed a motion to suppress
which tolled time initially. In sum, five hundred thirty (530) days elapsed from
the date of Appellant’s arrest until he was brought to trial. Subtracting ninety
(90) days from five hundred and thirty (530) leaves a total of four hundred and
forty (440) days. Of those remaining four hundred and forty (440) days of
overage, Appellant’s trial dates were continued at the State’s request for a total
of two hundred and sixty (260) days. These continuances were reasonable,
Ross App. No. 11CA3292 21
necessary, and properly journalized. Delays were also occasioned at the
request of the Appellant for another one hundred and fifty-one (151) days. The
speedy trial clock was also running for nine (9) days between the resolution of
the suppression motion on August 20, 2010 and the filing of the State’s first
motion to continue on August 30, 2010. We summarize as follows:
530 days The total number of days Appellant
awaited trial.
90 Speedy trial time.
440 days Overage
260 days Attributed to continuance sought by
the State and granted by the court.
151 days Attributed to delays occasioned by
the Appellant.
9 days Span of time between resolution of
Appellant’s motion to suppress and
filing of the State’s first motion to
continue.
{¶36} We add the two hundred and sixty days (260) days attributed to
the State’s continuances, the one hundred and fifty-one (151) days attributed to
Appellant’s delays, and the nine (9) miscellaneous days for a total of four
hundred and twenty (420) days. Subtracting four hundred and twenty (420)
days from five hundred and thirty (530) days, (the time Appellant awaited
trial,) we are left with a surplus of one hundred and ten (110) days. Thus, for
statutory speedy trial purposes, Appellant was brought to trial in one hundred
Ross App. No. 11CA3292 22
and ten (110) days, outside of the 90-day triple-count provision of R.C.
2945.71’s time limitation. Appellant’s speedy trial rights were violated by
twenty (20) days. Accordingly, we sustain the assignment of error, reverse the
trial court’s judgment, and order that Appellant be discharged.
JUDGMENT REVERSED
Harsha, J. Concurring.
{¶37} I do not agree that granting five continuances for the state to
secure its witness and a trial attorney was reasonable. Thus, I concur in
Judgment Only.
Ross App. No. 11CA3292 23
JUDGMENT ENTRY
It is ordered that the JUDGMENT BE REVERSED and that the
Appellant recover of Appellee 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 Ross County Common Pleas Court to carry this judgment into execution.
A certified copy of this entry shall constitute the mandate pursuant to
Rule 27 of the Rules of Appellate Procedure.
Exceptions.
Harsha, J.: Concurs in Judgment Only with Opinion.
Abele, P.J.: Dissents.
For the Court,
BY: _________________________
Matthew W. McFarland, Judge
NOTICE TO COUNSEL
Pursuant to Local Rule No. 14, this document constitutes a final
judgment entry and the time period for further appeal commences from
the date of filing with the clerk.