State v. Mondie , 2019 Ohio 5337 ( 2019 )

[Cite as State v. Mondie, 2019-Ohio-5337.]
COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
EIGHTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
COUNTY OF CUYAHOGA
STATE OF OHIO, :
Plaintiff-Appellee, : No. 108030
v. :
CEDRIC MONDIE, :
Defendant-Appellant. :
JOURNAL ENTRY AND OPINION
JUDGMENT: AFFIRMED
RELEASED AND JOURNALIZED: December 26, 2019
Criminal Appeal from the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas
Case No. CR-17-621490-A
Appearances:
Michael C. O’Malley, Cuyahoga County Prosecuting
Attorney, and Brian D. Kraft, Assistant Prosecuting
Attorney, for appellee.
Susan J. Moran, for appellant.
ANITA LASTER MAYS, J.:
Defendant-appellant Cedric Mondie (“Mondie”) appeals his
convictions and sentence, and asks this court to reverse and remand the matter for
a new trial. We affirm Mondie’s convictions and sentence.
After a jury trial, Mondie was found guilty under an accomplice
liability theory 0f two counts of aggravated murder, in violation of R.C. 2903.01(A)
and 2903.01(B); one count of kidnapping, a first-degree felony, in violation of
R.C. 2905.01(A)(3); one count of murder, in violation of R.C. 2903.02(B); one count
of felonious assault, a second-degree felony, in violation of R.C. 2903.11(A)(1).
Count 6, weapons under disability, a third-degree felony, in violation of
R.C. 2923.13(A)(3), was bifurcated and tried to the bench. Mondie was also found
guilty under an accomplice-liability theory on Count 6. All counts except having
weapons under disability, had a one- and three-year firearm specification attached.
Mondie was sentenced to an aggregate of 44 years to life
imprisonment. The trial court imposed a prison sentence of 30 years to life with a
three-year firearm specification on Count 1, aggravated murder; eight years with a
three-year firearm specification on Count 3, kidnaping, to run consecutively to
Count 1; and 36 months on Count 6, having a weapon while under a disability.
Count 6 was ordered to run concurrent to Counts 1 and 3. The state conceded that
Counts 2, 4, and 5 merged into Count 1. Defense counsel objected to the consecutive
sentence and failure to merge the charges.
I. Facts and Procedural History
On April 14, 2013, Charles Braxton (“Braxton”) asked his friend
Demetrius Robinson (“Robinson”) to give him a ride to a local gas station. On the
way to the gas station, Braxton made a call at 8:34 pm, to a number later associated
with Mondie, but no one answered. Within a minute, the caller returned the call to
Braxton. Robinson heard Braxton tell the caller that he sees him and Braxton
instructed Robinson to turn around. Robinson pulled his red Jeep up to a gas pump
and right on the other side of the gas pump was a white car. Braxton exited
Robinson’s car and entered the rear door on the passenger side of the white vehicle.
Robinson observed three people in the white car, but could not clearly see their faces
because he only had one contact lens in his eye. However, Robinson was able to give
a complete description of the driver’s clothing and size. The description matched
the surveillance video of Mondie at the gas station. According to Robinson, after
two minutes or so, the white car pulled away with Braxton inside. Robinson saw
Braxton’s face, and Braxton looked concerned. Robinson immediately tried to
follow the white car that Braxton was inside. He testified that the driver observed
that Robinson was trying to follow and darted into oncoming traffic to lose
Robinson’s tail.
At 8:43 p.m., a citizen made a call to Cleveland Division of Police’s
dispatch unit stating that there was a man lying face down in the middle of the street.
Prior to that 911 call, Jeffery Richard (“Richard”) was in his bathroom when he heard
someone outside say “Come on, man. Come on.” Richard then heard a single
gunshot and ran outside to see what happened. He observed a white car speed away
from the scene. Richard also observed an unidentified young man standing over a
body that was later identified as Braxton. Richard asked the young man if someone
was shot. The young man replied affirmatively and Richard moved closer to Braxton
and realized that he was still breathing. Richard and another neighbor attempted to
render aid.
The police arrived at the scene and found a single, spent .45 caliber
shell casing near Braxton’s body. Braxton was rushed to the hospital where he died
from complications of a gunshot wound. The death was classified by the medical
examiner as a homicide.
Braxton’s murder went unsolved for three years. Then, in November
2016, the police received a tip regarding the identity of the driver of the white car.
Using the security camera footage from the gas station, the tipster was able to
identify the driver from the red star tattoo on his neck. The driver was identified as
Mondie. From phone records, Mondie was also identified as the person associated
with the phone number Braxton called on his way to the gas station on the day of his
murder.
Mondie was subsequently charged in a six-count indictment and
pleaded not guilty to all counts. After a jury trial, Mondie was found guilty on Counts
1 through 5, and the trial court found Mondie guilty on Count 6. Mondie was
convicted under an accomplice liability theory. Mondie was sentenced to 44 years
to life imprisonment. Mondie filed this instant appeal assigning three errors for our
review:
I. Appellant’s convictions are against the manifest weight of the
evidence;
II. The trial court erred by denying appellant’s motion for acquittal
pursuant to Crim.R. 29 when the state failed to submit
sufficient evidence of appellant’s identification and failed to
submit evidence that firearms were used as part of the
kidnapping denying the appellant of due process; and
III. The trial court erred in imposing a maximum consecutive
sentence which was not supported by the record.
II. Manifest Weight and Sufficiency of the Evidence
A. Standard of Review
We will review the manifest weight and sufficiency of the evidence
and the assignments of error together. The Ohio Supreme Court has addressed the
standard of review we must apply for a criminal manifest weight challenge:
The criminal manifest-weight-of-the-evidence standard was
explained in State v. Thompkins, 78 Ohio St.3d 380, 678 N.E.2d 541(1997). In Thompkins, the court distinguished between sufficiency of
the evidence and manifest weight of the evidence, finding that these
concepts differ both qualitatively and quantitatively. Id. at 386. The
court held that sufficiency of the evidence is a test of adequacy as to
whether the evidence is legally sufficient to support a verdict as a
matter of law, but weight of the evidence addresses the evidence’s
effect of inducing belief. Id. at 386-387. In other words, a reviewing
court asks whose evidence is more persuasive — the state’s or the
defendant’s? * * * Id. at 387. “When a court of appeals reverses a
judgment of a trial court on the basis that the verdict is against the
weight of the evidence, the appellate court sits as a ‘thirteenth juror’
and disagrees with the factfinder’s resolution of the conflicting
testimony.” Id. at 387, citing Tibbs v. Florida, 457 U.S. 31, 42, 102
S.Ct. 2211, 72 L.Ed.2d 652 (1982).
State v. Wilson, 113 Ohio St.3d 382, 2007-Ohio-2202, 865 N.E.2d 1264, ¶ 25.
In evaluating a criminal manifest weight challenge, an appellate court
must review the entire record, weigh the evidence and all reasonable
inferences, and consider the credibility of all witnesses and determine
whether, in resolving conflicts in the evidence, the jury clearly lost its
way and created such a manifest miscarriage of justice that the
conviction must be reversed and a new trial ordered. Thompkins at
387, citing State v. Martin, 20 Ohio App.3d 172, 172, 485 N.E.2d 717(1st Dist.1983), paragraph three of the syllabus. Accordingly, reversal
of a conviction on manifest weight grounds is reserved for “the
exceptional case that the evidence weighs heavily against the
conviction.” Id.In conducting this review, this court remains mindful that the weight
of the evidence and the credibility of the witnesses are matters
primarily for the factfinder to assess. State v. Bradley, 8th Dist.
Cuyahoga No. 97333, 2012-Ohio-2765, ¶ 14, citing State v. DeHass,
10 Ohio St.2d 230, 227 N.E.2d 212 (1967), paragraph one of the
syllabus. The rationale behind this principle is that the trier of fact is
in the best position to take into account inconsistencies, along with
the witnesses’ manner and demeanor, and determine whether the
witnesses’ testimonies are credible. Id.State v. Hernandez, 2018-Ohio-738, 107 N.E.3d 182, ¶ 27-28 (8th Dist.).
B. Whether Appellant’s Convictions are Against the
Manifest Weight of the Evidence
Mondie contends that his convictions are against the manifest weight
of the evidence because there was not competent credible evidence that he
committed the offenses and the car he was seen driving was different from the car
that was identified at the crime scene. More specifically, Mondie states that the
vehicle identified by the witnesses had different tail lights, shape, and a missing
hubcap.
A review of the record reveals that Robinson and Richard described
seeing a white car. Richard stated that he saw a white or silver Sea Breeze or Taurus
with a rounded body and the tail light stretched across the body. It was also stated
that there was no hubcap on the passenger side of the white vehicle. Robinson
described a white Concord or Taurus. Mondie contends that the vehicle in the video
had a square or rectangular rear window, with single tail lights on each side and no
missing hubcaps. The record reveals that both witnesses were unsure of the make
and model, but described cars similar to Mondie’s, which was a white Taurus. The
surveillance video shows Robinson pull next to a gas pump with a white vehicle on
the other side of the gas pump.
The video shows Braxton exiting the red car but does not show him
getting into the white car because the time stamp is blocking a portion of the video.
However, Robinson clearly states that he watched Braxton enter the white car and
Mondie return to the same white car and enter the driver’s seat. Additionally, the
tipster identified Mondie as the individual driving the white car at the gas station on
the evening of Braxton’s murder.
Mondie then argues that even if he was the driver of the white car at
the scene, he was not complicit in the murder because he drove away from the scene
without the shooter. Mondie contends that this shows that he was not in agreement
with the conduct of the shooter. Mondie was convicted under an accomplice-
liability theory. R.C. 2923.03(A) and 2923.03(F) states,
(A) No person, acting with the kind of culpability required for the
commission of an offense, shall do any of the following:
(1) Solicit or procure another to commit the offense;
(2) Aid or abet another in committing the offense;
(3) Conspire with another to commit the offense in violation
of section 2923.01 of the Revised Code;
(4) Cause an innocent or irresponsible person to commit the
offense.
(F) Whoever violates this section is guilty of complicity in the
commission of an offense, and shall be prosecuted and
punished as if he were a principal offender. A charge of
complicity may be stated in terms of this section, or in terms of
the principal offense.
“The complicity statute treats the accomplice as though ‘he was the one who
committed every act of the underlying principal offense.’ State v. Jackson, 90 Ohio
App.3d 702, 705, 630 N.E.2d 414 (6th Dist.1993); R.C. 2923.03(F).” Mondie
claims, however that, if he had been an accomplice, he would have provided the
shooter a means of escape in his car.
The state, at trial, argued that Mondie was the principal offender of
the kidnapping and an aider and abettor of the aggravated murder. Evidence was
offered demonstrating that Mondie lured Braxton to the gas station for a proposed
drug purchase in order to kidnap him by driving to another area where Mondie
could be robbed and murdered. The state and defense counsel stipulated that the
cell phone number in question was in fact Mondie’s cell phone number on the day
of Braxton’s murder. The evidence showed that Braxton had called Mondie’s cell
phone at 8:34 p.m.
The state’s evidence also included video evidence from the gas station,
Robinson and Richard’s testimony, and the tipster identifying Mondie as the driver
of the white vehicle that Braxton entered. Robinson testified that after Braxton
informed the caller that he saw him, he exited Robinson’s car and entered the white
car. The driver of the white car suddenly drove off with Braxton looking back with a
concerned look. In fact, Robinson stated that he had never seen Braxton look that
way. To Robinson, Braxton’s face looked like he was saying “help me”. Robinson
described Mondie’s clothing and that description matched the gas station’s
surveillance video. The driver of the white vehicle suddenly drove away and
intentionally evaded Robinson in an effort to keep him from following him.
Robinson lost sight of the white vehicle.
Then, Richard testified while in his home he heard someone say
“come on man, come on” and then a single gunshot. Richard stated that after
hearing the gun shot, it took him between five to 10 seconds to get to his porch.
While on the porch, he saw a white car near the man that was standing over
Braxton’s body. Richard believed that the white car was connected with the incident.
Richard stated that the white car moved forward, stopped and then pulled away.
Richard observed that Braxton only had on underwear and socks but, no other
clothing was located at the scene. The state also relied on evidence that Braxton was
shot and killed within four minutes of entering Mondie’s vehicle and leaving the gas
station.
We have to weigh the evidence Mondie presented at trial against the
state’s evidence.
Although we review credibility when considering the manifest weight
of the evidence, we are cognizant that determinations regarding the
credibility of witnesses and the weight given to the evidence are
primarily matters for the trier of fact to decide. State v. DeHass, 10
Ohio St.2d 230, 227 N.E.2d 212 (1967). The trier of fact is best able
“to view the witnesses and observe their demeanor, gestures, and
voice inflections, and use these observations in weighing the
credibility of the proffered testimony.” State v. Wilson, 113 Ohio St.3d
382, 2007-Ohio-2202, 865 N.E.2d 1264, ¶ 24. Thus, an appellate
court will overturn a conviction due to the manifest weight of the
evidence only in extraordinary circumstances where the evidence
presented at trial weighs heavily against the conviction. Thompkins at
388.
State v. Freeman, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 106374, 2018-Ohio-3587, ¶ 19.
We find that Mondie’s contentions are without merit and the evidence
presented at trial does not weigh heavily against Mondie’s conviction.
Mondie also contends that because the gas station surveillance video
incorrectly displays the time the police cars were seen after the emergency call was
made, the time of the kidnapping, and shooting were insufficient to demonstrate
that he was involved. The evidence presented at trial by several officers
demonstrated that the time on the gas station surveillance video was incorrect and
did not accurately reflect the time that evening. However, the state presented
evidence of the time stamp from the police cruiser’s dash camera footage, the time
of the 911 calls, and the surveillance camera video showing the time that the police
cruisers sped past the gas station to demonstrate the actual time. The results showed
the time on the gas station surveillance camera was 4 minutes and 49 seconds faster
than the actual time. We find that Mondie’s argument is misplaced.
We find that the state’s evidence presented at trial regarding the time
on the video does not weigh heavily against Mondie’s conviction.
Mondie’s first assignment of error is overruled.
C. Whether the Trial Court Erred by Denying Appellant’s
Motion for Acquittal Pursuant to Crim.R. 29 when the
State failed to Submit Sufficient Evidence of
Appellant’s Identification and Failed to Submit
Evidence that Firearms were Used as Part of the
Kidnapping Denying the Appellant of Due Process
Mondie contends that the evidence was not sufficient to convict him,
and that the trial court erred by denying his Crim.R. 29 motion.
A Crim.R. 29(A) motion for acquittal tests the sufficiency of the
evidence. State v. Capp, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 102919, 2016-Ohio-
295, ¶ 19. Crim.R. 29 mandates that the trial court issue a judgment
of acquittal where the state’s evidence is insufficient to sustain a
conviction for an offense. Id. Accordingly, an appellate court reviews
a trial court’s denial of a defendant’s motion for acquittal using the
same standard it applies when reviewing a sufficiency-of-the-evidence
claim. Id.State v. Hoskin-Hudson, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 103615, 2016-Ohio-5410, ¶ 7.
Mondie argues that the state failed to demonstrate that a gun was
used in Braxton’s kidnapping. Mondie claims that Robinson did not testify that he
saw a gun in the car as it drove away with Braxton. Also, Mondie argues that since
the murder and kidnapping were ruled to have separate animus, the gun used for
the murder was not necessarily used for the kidnapping.
Mondie was convicted of aggravated murder, in violation of
R.C. 2903.01(A) and 2903.01(B); kidnapping, in violation of R.C. 2905.01(A)(3);
murder, in violation of R.C. 2903.02(B); felonious assault, in violation of,
R.C. 2903.11(A)(1); and having a weapon while under disability, in violation of
R.C. 2923.13(A)(3). The statutes read as follows:
No person shall purposely, and with prior calculation and design,
cause the death of another * * *.
No person shall purposely cause the death of another * * * while
committing or attempting to commit, or while fleeing immediately
after committing or attempting to commit, kidnapping, rape,
aggravated arson, arson, aggravated robbery, robbery, * * *.
R.C. 2903.01(A) and 2903.01(B).
No person, by force, threat, or deception, or, * * *, by any means, shall
remove another from the place where the other person is found or
restrain the liberty of the other person, for any of the following
purposes:
To terrorize, or to inflict serious physical harm on the victim or
another.
R.C. 2905.01(A)(3).
No person shall cause the death of another as a proximate result of the
offender’s committing or attempting to commit an offense of violence
that is a felony of the first or second degree and that is not a violation
of section 2903.03 or 2903.04 of the Revised Code.
R.C. 2903.02(B).
No person shall knowingly do either of the following:
Cause serious physical harm to another * * *.
R.C. 2903.11(A)(1).
Unless relieved from disability under operation of law or legal process,
no person shall knowingly acquire, have, carry, or use any firearm or
dangerous ordnance, if any of the following apply:
The person is under indictment for or has been convicted of any felony
offense involving the illegal possession, use, sale, administration,
distribution, or trafficking in any drug of abuse * * *.
R.C. 2923.13(A)(3).
The state argued that the kidnapping began at the gas station and
continued until Braxton was shot on the street. The state offered circumstantial
evidence that Mondie was responsible, under the accomplice-liability theory, for the
aforementioned crimes.
“Proof of guilt may be made by circumstantial evidence, real evidence,
and direct evidence, or any combination of the three, and all three
have equal probative value.” State v. Zadar, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga
No. 94698, 2011-Ohio-1060, ¶ 18. Direct evidence exists when “a
witness testifies about a matter within the witness’s personal
knowledge such that the trier of fact is not required to draw an
inference from the evidence to the proposition that it is offered to
establish.” State v. Cassano, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 97228, 2012-
Ohio-4047, ¶ 13. In contrast, “circumstantial evidence requires the
drawing of inferences that are reasonably permitted by the evidence.”
Id. See also State v. Hartman, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 90284, 2008-
Ohio-3683, ¶ 37 (“circumstantial evidence is the proof of facts by
direct evidence from which the trier of fact may infer or derive by
reasoning other facts in accordance with the common experience of
mankind”).
Circumstantial evidence and direct evidence inherently possess the
same probative value. [State v.] Jenks, 61 Ohio St.3d 259, 574 N.E.2d
492, paragraph one of the syllabus. “Although there are obvious
differences between direct and circumstantial evidence, those
differences are irrelevant to the probative value of the evidence —
circumstantial evidence carries the same weight as direct evidence.”
Cassano at ¶ 13, citing State v. Treesh, 90 Ohio St.3d 460, 485, 739
N.E.2d 749 (2001). “Since circumstantial evidence and direct
evidence are indistinguishable so far as the jury’s fact-finding function
is concerned, all that is required of the jury is that it weigh all of the
evidence, direct and circumstantial, against the standard of proof
beyond a reasonable doubt.” Jenks at 272. “‘Circumstantial evidence
is not only sufficient, but may also be more certain, satisfying, and
persuasive than direct evidence.’” State v. Hawthorne, 8th Dist.
Cuyahoga No. 96496, 2011-Ohio-6078, quoting Michalic v. Cleveland
Tankers, Inc., 364 U.S. 325, 330, 81 S.Ct. 6, 5 L.Ed.2d 20 (1960).
State v. Rodano, 2017-Ohio-1034, 86 N.E.3d 1032, ¶ 35-36 (8th Dist.).
The evidence showed that the entire interaction between Braxton and
Mondie was less than 10 minutes. Braxton’s initial call to Mondie was at 8:34 p.m.
The 911 call was made at 8:43 p.m. Because of the shortness of the entire incident,
it can be inferred that the gun and shooter were in the vehicle when Mondie drove
away from the gas station. It was also implied that the gun was used in the
kidnapping of Braxton as he was driven away by Mondie. Richard testified that he
heard a gunshot, and then observed a man standing near the white car. The white
car moved forward, stopped then sped away. Therefore, it can be inferred that
Braxton was restrained inside of the vehicle with a gun and the driver of the vehicle
knew that Braxton was shot. “When performing a sufficiency inquiry, an appellate
court does not assess whether the state’s evidence is to be believed but whether, if
believed, the evidence admitted at trial supported the conviction.” (Citations
omitted.) Capp, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 102919, 2016-Ohio-295, ¶ 20.
Mondie also argues that the evidence was insufficient to identify him
as the driver of the white vehicle. The gas station surveillance video showed Mondie
exiting the white vehicle, entering the convenience store to conduct a transaction,
and exiting the store, returning to the same white vehicle. The surveillance video
inside the convenience store clearly captures Mondie’s image. Robinson testified
that Braxton entered a white vehicle and described the driver and his clothing.
Robinson stated that the driver was heavier and was wearing a name brand red
jacket with white writing on it. The description given by Robinson matched the
clothing Mondie was wearing in the video. Richard and Robinson described a white
Sea Breeze, Contour or Taurus, when in fact the vehicle was a white Ford Taurus.
Additionally, testimony was presented that three years after Braxton’s murder, a
tipster identified Mondie as the individual in the gas station convenience store
surveillance video. Finally, evidence presented at trial determined the correct time
of the surveillance video.
In light of the state’s evidence, we find that the trial court did not err
is denying Mondie’s Crim.R. 29 motion on all of Mondie’s arguments.
Therefore, we overrule Mondie’s second assignment of error.
III. Maximum Consecutive Sentences
A. Standard of Review
“[W]e may disturb a felony sentence only if we clearly and
convincingly find that either ‘the record does not support the sentencing court’s
findings’ or ‘the sentence is otherwise contrary to law.’ R.C. 2953.08(G)(2); State v.
Marcum, 146 Ohio St.3d 516, 2016-Ohio-1002, 59 N.E.3d 1231, ¶ 1, 21-23.” State v.
Bush, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 106392, 2018-Ohio-4213, ¶ 22.
Therefore,
[a] sentence is contrary to law if the sentence falls outside the
statutory range or if the trial court fails to consider the purposes and
principles of felony sentencing set forth in R.C. 2929.11 and the
sentencing factors set forth in R.C. 2929.12. See, e.g., State v. Pawlak,
8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 103444, 2016-Ohio-5926, ¶ 58; State v. Keith,
8th Dist. Cuyahoga Nos. 103413 and 103414, 2016-Ohio-5234, ¶ 8,
citing State v. Hinton, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 102710, 2015-Ohio-
4907, ¶ 10.
State v. Jung, 2018-Ohio-1514, 111 N.E.3d 54, ¶ 14 (8th Dist.).
B. Whether the Trial Court Erred in Imposing a
Maximum Consecutive Sentence that was not
Supported by the Record
Specifically, Mondie claims that the trial court failed to make an
appropriate finding for the imposition of a consecutive sentence for the kidnapping
charge, and that the record does not support a finding that a consecutive sentence
was appropriate under the circumstances. “Although a general presumption exists
for the imposition of concurrent sentences, R.C. 2929.41(A) expressly recognizes
certain exceptions, including when the record requires the imposition of consecutive
sentences under R.C. 2929.14(C) for multiple offenses.” State v. Rice, 8th Dist.
Cuyahoga No. 102443, 2015-Ohio-3885, ¶ 9.
R.C. 2929.14(C)(4) provides as follows:
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:
(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
postrelease 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.
During the sentencing hearing, the trial court stated,
[t]he Court must make a finding to support the imposition of
consecutive sentences. The Court finds that it is necessary to punish
Mr. Mondie or protect the public from future crime and that his
sentence that is consecutive is not disproportionate to the seriousness
of the conduct and the danger posed by you, and that two or more of
the offenses are part of one or more courses of conduct and that the
harm caused is so great and unusual that a single prison term would
not adequately reflect the seriousness of the conduct.
(Tr. 722.)
The trial court also incorporated its findings in the journal entry.
After review of the record, we find that the trial court made all of the required
findings under R.C. 2929.14(C) to justify the imposition of consecutive sentences.
The trial court has no obligation to state reasons to support its findings. Nor is it
required to give a talismanic incantation of the words of the statute, provided that
the necessary findings can be found in the record and are incorporated into the
sentencing entry. State v. Bonnell, 140 Ohio St.3d 209, 2014-Ohio-3177, 16 N.E.3d
659, ¶ 37. We find that the trial court did not violate the presumption of concurrent
sentencing when it sentenced Mondie.
Mondie claims that there was nothing in the record to support a
finding that the kidnapping of a drug dealer was so great or unusual from another
identical offense, or how the offenses were a course of conduct to justify the
imposition of consecutive terms. The trial court stated,
The Court must and has also considered the seriousness and
recidivism factors relevant to the offense and the offender.
Mr. Mondie, you and I both sat through this trial. The evidence
presented made it very clear to the Court that you were the one
orchestrating everything that went down here.
You didn’t pull the trigger — that’s not what the evidence presented —
but Mr. Braxton was kidnapped and shot dead in the street at your
request. That’s what the evidence presented. That’s why those
firearm specifications are there. That’s why the jury found you guilty
with the firearm specifications. That's why you were found guilty with
having weapons while under disability.
The Court must and has ensured that the sentence being imposed does
not demean the seriousness of the crime and the impact that it has on
the victims. And I say victims because while Mr. Braxton was the only
one that was shot dead, there’s a courtroom full of victims here today.
They’re suffering the loss over and over and over again by being here
in court throughout the entire trial and by listening, by seeing pictures
of their brother and of their son in a morgue at the Medical Examiner’s
office and what his sacred body had to go through. They sat through
all that. They watched all of that. And there were times where they
couldn’t watch it anymore and had to get up and leave the courtroom.
Hopefully today will be a new chapter in their life.
(Tr. 719-720.)
Braxton’s kidnapping and murder were a part of one or more courses
of conduct. Mondie lured Braxton to the gas station with the intent of assisting in
Braxton’s kidnapping, robbery, and murder. As soon as Braxton entered the car,
Mondie sped away, and less than 10 minutes after the initial phone call between
Braxton and Mondie, Braxton was shot and left dying in the street. After Braxton
was shot, Mondie drove away.
We find that the trial court did not err in sentencing Mondie to
consecutive sentences. Therefore, Mondie’s third assignment of error is overruled.
Judgment is affirmed.
It is ordered that the appellee recover from appellant 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
common pleas court to carry this judgment into execution. The defendant’s
conviction having been affirmed, any bail pending appeal is terminated.
A certified copy of this entry shall constitute the mandate pursuant to
Rule 27 of the Rules of Appellate Procedure.
_____________________________
ANITA LASTER MAYS, JUDGE
EILEEN T. GALLAGHER, P.J., and
EILEEN A. GALLAGHER, J., CONCUR