State v. Bass , 2017 Ohio 7059 ( 2017 )

[Cite as State v. Bass, 2017-Ohio-7059.]
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
FOURTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
WASHINGTON COUNTY
STATE OF OHIO, :
: Case No. 16CA32
Plaintiff-Appellee, :
:
vs. : DECISION AND JUDGMENT
: ENTRY
MARTY L. BASS, :
:
Defendant-Appellant. : Released: 07/25/17
_____________________________________________________________
APPEARANCES:
Brian A. Smith, Brian A. Smith Law Firm, LLC, Akron, Ohio, for
Appellant.
Kevin A. Rings, Washington County Prosecuting Attorney, and Alison L.
Cauthorn, Washington County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, Marietta,
Ohio, for Appellee.
_____________________________________________________________
McFarland, J.
{¶1} Marty Bass appeals from the trial court’s judgment sentencing
him to maximum and consecutive prison terms after he pleaded guilty to two
counts of trafficking in cocaine in violation of R.C. 2925.03(A)(1) and
(C)(4)(a), both felonies of the fifth degree. On appeal, Appellant contends
that 1) his consecutive sentences were contrary to law; and 2) his sentences
were not supported by the record. Because we have concluded that the
sentences imposed by the trial court were supported by the record and were
Washington App. No. 16CA32 2
not contrary to law, both of Appellant’s assignments of error are overruled.
Accordingly, the judgment of the trial court is affirmed.
FACTS
{¶2} Appellant, Marty Bass, was indicted for six felony counts on
March 24, 2016 as follows: 1) count one – trafficking in heroin, in the
vicinity of a school, a fourth degree felony in violation of R.C.
2925.03(A)(1) and (C)(6)(b); 2) count two – aggravated trafficking in drugs
(fentanyl), in the vicinity of a school, a third degree felony in violation of
R.C. 2925.03(A)(1) and (C)(1)(b); 3) count three – trafficking in cocaine, in
the vicinity of a school, a fourth degree felony in violation of R.C.
2925.03(A)(1) and (C)(4)(b); 4) count four – trafficking in cocaine, a fifth
degree felony in violation of R.C. 2925.(A)(1) and (C)(4)(a); 5) count five –
breaking and entering, a fifth degree felony in violation of R.C. 2911.13(B)
and (C); and 6) count six – possession of cocaine, a fifth degree felony in
violation of R.C. 2925.11(A) and (C)(4)(a). Appellant initially entered pleas
of not guilty to the charges contained in the indictment.
{¶3} A change of plea hearing was held on August 19, 2016 at which
Appellant entered pleas of guilt to count three, which was amended to a fifth
degree felony, and count four, in exchange for the dismissal of counts one,
two, five and six. Appellant was subsequently sentenced to twelve-month
Washington App. No. 16CA32 3
prison terms on each count, to be served consecutively. It is from the trial
court’s imposition of consecutive sentences that Appellant now brings his
timely appeal, assigning the following errors for our review.
ASSIGNMENTS OF ERROR
“I. APPELLANT’S CONSECUTIVE SENTENCES WERE
CONTRARY TO LAW.
II. THE TRIAL COURT’S SENTENCE OF APPELLANT WAS
NOT SUPPORTED BY THE RECORD.”
LEGAL ANALYSIS
{¶4} As both of Appellant’s assignments of error challenge the trial
court’s imposition of consecutive prison terms, we address them in
conjunction with one another. In his first assignment of error, Appellant
contends that his consecutive sentences were contrary to law, arguing that
although the trial court made the necessary findings for imposition of
consecutive sentences on the record during the sentencing hearing, it failed
to include the necessary findings in the sentencing entry. The State agrees
the required statutory findings for imposition of consecutive sentences were
omitted from the sentencing entry and suggests this matter should be
remanded to correct the clerical error with a nunc pro tunc order. In his
second assignment of error, Appellant contends that the record does not
support the imposition of consecutive sentences.
Washington App. No. 16CA32 4
{¶5} R.C. 2953.08(G)(2) defines appellate review of felony sentences
and provides, in relevant part, as follows:
“The court hearing an appeal under division (A), (B), or (C) of
this section shall review the record, including the findings
underlying the sentence or modification given by the sentencing
court.
The appellate court may increase, reduce, or otherwise modify a
sentence that is appealed under this section or may vacate the
sentence and remand the matter to the sentencing court for
resentencing. The appellate court's standard for review is not
whether the sentencing court abused its discretion. The
appellate court may take any action authorized by this division
if it clearly and convincingly finds either of the following:
(a) That the record does not support the sentencing court's
findings under division (B) or (D) of section 2929.13, division
(B)(2)(e) or (C)(4) of section 2929.14, or division (I) of section
2929.20 of the Revised Code, whichever, if any, is relevant;
(b) That the sentence is otherwise contrary to law.”
{¶6} “[A]n appellate court may vacate or modify a felony sentence on
appeal only if it determines by clear and convincing evidence that the record
Washington App. No. 16CA32 5
does not support the trial court's findings under relevant statutes or that the
sentence is otherwise contrary to law.” State v. Marcum, 146 Ohio St.3d
516, 2016–Ohio–1002, 59 N.E.3d 1231, ¶ 1. This is a deferential standard.
Id. at ¶ 23. Furthermore, “appellate courts may not apply the abuse-of-
discretion standard in sentencing-term challenges.” Id. at ¶ 10. Additionally,
although R.C. 2953.08(G) does not mention R.C. 2929.11 or 2929.12, the
Supreme Court of Ohio has determined that the same standard of review
applies to findings made under those statutes. Id. at ¶ 23 (stating that “it is
fully consistent for appellate courts to review those sentences that are
imposed solely after consideration of the factors in R.C. 2929.11 and
2929.12 under a standard that is equally deferential to the sentencing court,”
meaning that “an appellate court may vacate or modify any sentence that is
not clearly and convincingly contrary to law only if the appellate court finds
by clear and convincing evidence that the record does not support the
sentence”).
“Clear and convincing evidence is that measure or degree of
proof which is more than a mere ‘preponderance of the
evidence,’ but not to the extent of such certainty as is required
‘beyond a reasonable doubt’ in criminal cases, and which will
produce in the mind of the trier of facts a firm belief or
Washington App. No. 16CA32 6
conviction as to the facts sought to be established.’ ” Cross v.
Ledford, 161 Ohio St. 469, 120 N.E.2d 118 (1954), paragraph
three of the syllabus; Id. at ¶ 22.
{¶7} Further, as noted by the Eighth District Court of Appeals:
“It is important to understand that the ‘clear and convincing’
standard applied in R.C. 2953.08(G)(2) is not discretionary. In
fact, R.C. 2953.08(G)(2) makes it clear that ‘[t]he appellate
court's standard for review is not whether the sentencing court
abused its discretion.’ As a practical consideration, this means
that appellate courts are prohibited from substituting their
judgment for that of the trial judge.
It is also important to understand that the clear and convincing
standard used by R.C. 2953.08(G)(2) is written in the negative.
It does not say that the trial judge must have clear and
convincing evidence to support its findings. Instead, it is the
court of appeals that must clearly and convincingly find that the
record does not support the court's findings. In other words, the
restriction is on the appellate court, not the trial judge. This is
an extremely deferential standard of review.” State v. Venes, 8th
Washington App. No. 16CA32 7
Dist. Cuyahoga No. 98682, 2013–Ohio–1891, ¶ 20–21, 992
N.E.2d 453.
Here, it appears the sentences Appellant received on counts three and four,
although maximum sentences, were within the statutory range for each
offense. Thus, it cannot be said that the length of either sentence is contrary
to law. Further, “[m]aximum sentences do not require specific findings.
State v. Sawyer, 4th Dist. Meigs No. 16CA2, 2017-Ohio-1433, ¶ 16; citing
State v. McClain, 4th Dist. Pickaway No. 13CA17, 2014–Ohio–4192, ¶ 36;
State v. Lister, 4th Dist. Pickaway No. 13CA15, 2014–Ohio–1405, ¶ 10;
citing State v. White, 2013–Ohio–4225, 997 N.E.2d 629, ¶ 7 (1st Dist.).
{¶8} Additionally, with respect to the trial court’s decision to order
the sentences be served consecutively, under the tripartite procedure set forth
in R.C. 2929.14(C)(4) for imposing consecutive sentences, the trial court
had to find that (1) consecutive sentences are necessary to protect the public
from future crime or to punish the offender; (2) consecutive sentences are
not disproportionate to the seriousness of the offender's conduct and to the
danger the offender poses to the public; and (3) that one of three
circumstances specified in the statute applies. See generally State v. Baker,
4th Dist. Athens No. 13CA18, 2014–Ohio–1967, ¶ 35–36. The three
circumstances are as follows:
Washington App. No. 16CA32 8
“a) The offender committed one or more of the multiple
offenses while the offender was awaiting trial or sentencing,
was under a sanction imposed pursuant to section 2929.16,
2929.17, or 2929.18 of the Revised Code, or was under post-
release control for a prior offense.
(b) At least two of the multiple offenses were committed as part
of one or more courses of conduct, and the harm caused by two
or more of the multiple offenses so committed was so great or
unusual that no single prison term for any of the offenses
committed as part of any of the courses of conduct adequately
reflects the seriousness of the offender's conduct.
(c) The offender's history of criminal conduct demonstrates that
consecutive sentences are necessary to protect the public from
future crime by the offender.”
{¶9} The trial court is required to make these findings at the
sentencing hearing and to incorporate its findings in its sentencing entry.
State v. Bonnell, 140 Ohio St.3d 209, 2014–Ohio–3177, 16 N.E.3d 659,
syllabus. “The trial court need not use talismanic words to comply with
R.C. 2929.14(C)(4), but it must be clear from the record that the trial court
Washington App. No. 16CA32 9
actually made the required findings.” State v. Campbell, 4th Dist. Adams
No. 13CA969, 2014–Ohio–3860, at ¶ 25.
{¶10} Although the trial court must make the required findings before
imposing consecutive sentences, the court is under no obligation to make
specific findings under the various factors in these statutes. See State v.
Kulchar, 4th Dist. Athens No. 10CA6, 2015–Ohio–3703, ¶ 47. Nor did the
trial court have any obligation under R.C. 2929.14(C)(4) to state reasons to
support its findings to impose consecutive sentences. Bonnell at syllabus
(“In order to impose consecutive terms of imprisonment, a trial court is
required to make the findings mandated by R.C. 2929.14(C)(4) at the
sentencing hearing and incorporate its findings into its sentencing entry, but
it has no obligation to state reasons to support its findings”).
{¶11} We reject Appellant’s assertion that consecutive sentences are
contrary to law and unsupported by the record. Here, the trial court’s
judgment entry stated that it had considered the principles and purposes of
sentencing under R.C. 2929.11 through 2929.19, as well as the record, oral
statements and a pre-sentence report. The trial court’s sentencing entry
further expressly balanced and weighed the seriousness and recidivism
factors, and determined Appellant was not amenable to any available
Washington App. No. 16CA32 10
community control sanctions. The trial court further expressly stated in the
sentencing entry, contrary to the arguments of both parties, as follows:
“(1) Imposition of consecutive sentences is necessary to protect
the public from future crime or to punish the offender;
(2) Imposition of consecutive sentences is not disproportionate
to the seriousness of the offenders [sic] conduct and to the
danger the offender poses to the public; and
(3) Offender’s criminal history shows that consecutive terms
are needed to protect the public.”
Thus, the required findings were made by the trial court before imposing
consecutive sentences and further, the trial court was under no obligation to
state its reasons for making its findings.
{¶12} In State v. Campbell, 4th Dist. Adams No. 15CA1012, 2016-
Ohio-415, ¶ 15, we recently noted that courts have upheld the imposition of
consecutive sentences that even included a life sentence as long as the trial
court makes the required findings. Citing State v. Peak, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga
No. 102850, 2015-Ohio-4702, ¶ 8-14 (affirming the imposition of two
consecutive life sentences with the possibility of parole after ten years on
each of the two counts for rape of a victim less than thirteen years old.). In
light of that reasoning, we concluded Campbell had “failed to establish that
Washington App. No. 16CA32 11
the trial court clearly and convincingly imposed a sentence that was either
not supported by the record or otherwise contrary to law.” Id. at ¶16. The
same reasoning applies herein and leads to the same result.
{¶13} Here, Appellant pleaded guilty to two felony drug offenses
involving trafficking in cocaine, one of which was amended as part of the
plea deal from a fourth degree felony to a fifth degree felony, in exchange
for the dismissal of four other felony counts. While Appellant argues on
appeal that he simply trafficked to support his own drug use, the resultant
harm to the community is still the same. The trial court considered all of the
pertinent statutes, balanced all of the pertinent factors and made all of the
necessary findings before imposing consecutive sentences. And, again,
despite the arguments of both parties, these findings were made on the
record during the sentencing hearing, and were also expressly included on
pages five and six of the sentencing entry. As such, we cannot conclude that
the imposition of consecutive sentences was contrary to law or unsupported
by the record. Accordingly, both of Appellant’s assignments of error are
overruled.
JUDGMENT AFFIRMED.
Washington App. No. 16CA32 12
JUDGMENT ENTRY
It is ordered that the JUDGMENT BE AFFIRMED and costs be
assessed to Appellant.
The Court finds there were reasonable grounds for this appeal.
It is ordered that a special mandate issue out of this Court directing
the Washington County Common Pleas Court to carry this judgment into
execution.
IF A STAY OF EXECUTION OF SENTENCE AND RELEASE
UPON BAIL HAS BEEN PREVIOUSLY GRANTED BY THE TRIAL
COURT OR THIS COURT, it is temporarily continued for a period not to
exceed sixty days upon the bail previously posted. The purpose of a
continued stay is to allow Appellant to file with the Supreme Court of Ohio
an application for a stay during the pendency of proceedings in that court. If
a stay is continued by this entry, it will terminate at the earlier of the
expiration of the sixty day period, or the failure of the Appellant to file a
notice of appeal with the Supreme Court of Ohio in the forty-five day appeal
period pursuant to Rule II, Sec. 2 of the Rules of Practice of the Supreme
Court of Ohio. Additionally, if the Supreme Court of Ohio dismisses the
appeal prior to expiration of sixty days, the stay will terminate as of the date
of such dismissal.
A certified copy of this entry shall constitute the mandate pursuant to
Rule 27 of the Rules of Appellate Procedure.
Harsha, J. & Abele, J.: Concur in Judgment and Opinion.
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.