STATE OF OHIO v. DAVID M. ARMSTRONG
C.A. CASE NO. 2015-CA-31
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO SECOND APPELLATE DISTRICT CHAMPAIGN COUNTY
August 5, 2016
2016-Ohio-5263
T.C. NO. 15CR111 (Criminal Appeal from Common Pleas Court)
OPINION
Rendered on the 5th day of August, 2016.
JANE A. NAPIER, Atty. Reg. No. 0061426, Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, 200 N. Main Street, Urbana, Ohio 43078 Attorney for Plaintiff-Appellee
ANDREW R. PRATT, Atty. Reg. No. 0063764, 18 East Water Street, Troy, Ohio 45373 Attorney for Defendant-Appellant
FROELICH, J.
{¶ 1} David M. Armstrong appeals from a judgment of the Champaign County Court of Common Pleas, which found him guilty on his guilty pleas of two counts of
I. Procedural History
{¶ 2} On January 9, 2015, Armstrong pled guilty to one count of attempted felonious assault, with a one-year firearm specification (Count I, a felony of the third degree), one count of attempted felonious assault, without a firearm specification (Count II, a felony of the third degree), and one count of aggravated possession of drugs (Count III, a felony of the fifth degree).1 A presentence investigation report was prepared, and Armstrong filed a sentencing memorandum, to which he attached a forensic psychological evaluation and other exhibits.
{¶ 3} On August 3, 2015, the trial court sentenced Armstrong to prison as follows: 1) 24 months on Count I, with an additional mandatory 12 months on the firearm specification, 2) 24 months on Count II, and 3) 12 months on Count III, all to be served consecutively. The court also imposed a three-year term of post-release control, ordered him to pay court costs and restitution, and noted that, as part of the plea agreement, Armstrong had agreed to forfeit certain property (firearms, ammunition, and firearms’ equipment) to the sheriff‘s office.
{¶ 4} Armstrong appeals from the trial court‘s sentence, arguing that the trial court erred in imposing the maximum prison term on Count III and in ordering that his sentences
II. Facts of the Offense and Information Relevant to Sentencing
{¶ 5} According to the presentence investigation, on the afternoon of May 15, 2015, sheriff‘s deputies were dispatched to Armstrong‘s residence on State Route 29 in Champaign County on reports of shots being fired at vehicles and objects being thrown into the roadway. Specifically, a 911 caller had been driving by in a car with her young grandson when shots were fired at their car; there was a bullet hole above the rear passenger-side brake light of the car, but neither of the occupants had been struck. Two motorists in another vehicle also reported hearing “a slapping noise on the outside” of their vehicle several times as they passed Armstrong‘s residence, and they realized a short time later that there was damage to the vehicle.
{¶ 6} Sheriff‘s deputies issued a “CODERED alert” to nearby residents advising them to remain in their residences, and the deputies shut down a portion of State Route 29. Deputies also stopped a woman (presumably a neighbor) who was walking along State Route 29; she had been walking toward Armstrong‘s house because she heard a hissing noise that she believed to be a propane tank leak. Deputies later observed a bullet hole in the propane tank behind Armstrong‘s residence, from which “was leaking a large amount of propane.”
{¶ 7} Some deputies formed a perimeter around Armstrong‘s property, while others approached his residence in an unmarked patrol vehicle. By that time, Armstrong had walked toward and sat inside a motor vehicle parked by a barn behind the residence; he had not seemed to be carrying anything in his hands. Armstrong was ordered out of the vehicle and taken into custody without further incident. He stated that he had been
{¶ 8} When Armstrong was patted down, a small metal box holding a glass pipe and a clear bag containing a green substance were found in his pocket; the green substance was later found to be “Spice,” a synthetic cannabinoid. An “AR-15 style rifle” was found at the bottom of a stairwell near the back door of Armstrong‘s residence, and many other firearms and several hundred rounds of ammunition were found throughout the house. Gunshot residue was found on Armstrong‘s hands.
{¶ 9} According to Armstrong‘s version of the events, he was paranoid, mad, stressed, overwhelmed, and scared at the time of the incident and had been for a long time. He stated that he only intended to shoot bottles when he went outside with his weapon; he then decided to shoot the propane tank and to fire “warning shots” for people who he thought were following him.
{¶ 10} Armstrong stated that, earlier in the day, he had “stopped someone following me” and had gone to his father‘s house. He then went to a “crick” “to kinda breathe, but there were cars driving by every thirty seconds,” which aggravated his paranoia. When Armstrong was driving with his father to get some food, his father stated that they “needed to get help,” whereupon Armstrong jumped out of the truck and ran into the woods, then went home. It was after this encounter that he started shooting beer bottles and the propane tank at his house. Because people were driving by and he thought they were following him, he “started shooting vehicles behind the passenger compartments.” He stated that he was trying to get the vehicles to stop driving by and did not intend to hurt anyone. Armstrong also “broke out [his] upstairs window and shot
{¶ 11} Armstrong reported that he had been discharged from the military in 2007 after suffering some mental health problems. He claimed that he had been getting outpatient treatment at the Veterans Administration (VA) in Springfield for six months and that “he would only do mental health treatment at the VA.” He stated, however, that the VA attributed his issues to alcohol use. He reported being diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia while in the Army, but stated that it was described as a “personality disorder * * * on his release to prevent hospitalization and to get an honorable discharge.” He stated that his military and VA records could not be obtained due to a “Congressional inquiry.”
III. Sentencing Considerations
{¶ 12} “The trial court has full discretion to impose any sentence within the authorized statutory range, and the court is not required to make any findings or give its reasons for imposing maximum or more than minimum sentences.” State v. King, 2013-Ohio-2021, 992 N.E.2d 491, ¶ 45 (2d Dist.). However, in exercising its discretion, a trial court must consider the statutory policies that apply to every felony offense, including those set out in
{¶ 13}
{¶ 14}
{¶ 15}
{¶ 16} In general, it is presumed that prison terms will be served concurrently.
(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 , or2929.18 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.
{¶ 17} In reviewing felony sentences, appellate courts must apply the standard of review set forth in
{¶ 18} Among the factors found by the trial court to be more serious than conduct normally constituting the offense, the court observed that Armstrong used a firearm in the commission of the attempted felonious assaults and that, in addition to the harm which could have flowed from striking a person directly, the shootings could have caused collisions on the roadway or, by shooting at the rear of vehicles, caused the cars to “implode.” The court also found that, by shooting at a propane tank, Armstrong posed a serious risk to law enforcement officers who responded to the scene. The trial court further noted that the woman whose car was struck “suffered serious physical, psychological, or economic harm” as a result of the offense. The court cited Armstrong‘s use of alcohol prior to the offense as a contributing factor.
{¶ 19} Among the factors found by the trial court to be less serious than conduct normally constituting the offense, the court found “substantial grounds to mitigate the Defendant‘s conduct,” including a “very significant psychological disturbance,” some evidence of an “effort by [Armstrong] not to cause physical injury,” and a lack of intent to cause physical injury.
{¶ 21} Finally, the court acknowledged Armstrong‘s record of military service and that his mental condition, which contributed to the offenses with which he was charged, was “traceable” to that service.
{¶ 22} In imposing the maximum sentence for aggravated possession of drugs, the court reasoned that, “in the Court‘s view, the Defendant‘s use of drugs to self-medicate allow[ed] the Defendant‘s mental health issues to evolve into a state of severe psychopathology.” The court found that consecutive sentences were appropriate because of the seriousness of Armstrong‘s conduct, the dangers it had posed, that multiple offenses were committed as part of a course of conduct, and that the harm caused was so great or unusual that no single prison term for any of the offenses adequately reflected the seriousness of the conduct.
IV. Maximum Sentence for Aggravated Possession of Drugs
{¶ 24} Before we address Armstrong‘s specific arguments, we will address more generally his assertion that the “presumption” of community control sanctions set forth in
{¶ 25}
{¶ 27} Armstrong makes three specific arguments in asserting that a maximum prison sentence was not appropriate for his drug offense: 1) he asserts that he did not have drugs in his system at the time of the offenses in question, 2) he did not have drugs on his person, and 3) the trial court “exaggerated” the psychologist‘s conclusions with respect to the effect of drugs on his condition.
{¶ 28} With respect to the first argument, we note that the trial court did not specifically comment on the presence or absence of drugs in Armstrong‘s system at the time of the offenses. (The court‘s observations with respect to this use of alcohol and drugs, generally, will be discussed below.) We also note that Armstrong relies on an ARUP Laboratories report, attached to his sentencing memorandum, in claiming that no drugs, including cannabinoids, were in his system at the time of the offenses. However, the report states that the “Collection Date” of the sample was May 18, 2015. The date
{¶ 29} There is no evidence in the record to support Armstrong‘s second assertion: that the synthetic cannabinoids were found in his house rather than on his person. This issue was not addressed at the plea hearing, and the presentence investigation states that the substance was found “in his pocket” during a pat-down search.
{¶ 30} Finally, Armstrong argues that the psychologist who evaluated him (and whose report was attached to his sentencing memorandum) “noted that the use of alcohol and drugs exacerbates [his mental health] problems, but not to the exaggerated extent noted by the Trial Court.”
{¶ 31} The psychologist‘s report repeatedly referenced Armstrong‘s “chronic substance abuse” contributing to his impulse control problems and failure to consider alternate courses of action, his “alcohol use disorder and cannabis use disorder,” the “very high risk” that a person with paranoid personality disorder (like Armstrong) will become “over-involved in alcohol and other substance abuse disorders,” Armstrong‘s need for substance abuse counseling, and his “need to achiev[e] abstinence from alcohol and cannabis use.” The psychological report also stated that Armstrong “was unable to follow a path of recovery following his discharge from the United States Army and,
{¶ 32} As Armstrong points out, the court did state at the sentencing hearing that it was imposing the maximum sentence on Count III because “the Defendant‘s use of drugs to self-medicate allow[ed] the Defendant‘s mental health issues to evolve into a state of severe psychopathology.” However, the court stated that this was its view, and did not suggest that the psychologist drew this connection. Moreover, there is no dispute that Armstrong had consumed alcohol prior to the offense, which occurred around noon, and that the trial court found this to be a factor in finding the offense “more serious” than other similar offenses.
{¶ 33} The presentence investigation and psychological report, as well as other accounts of the events that transpired, are replete with evidence that Armstrong‘s drug and alcohol use exacerbated his mental health issues. The trial court could have reasonably concluded even without the psychologist‘s opinions that Armstrong‘s substance abuse, as well as his well-documented fluctuations (as discussed in the PSI and the psychologist‘s report) between recognizing and denying his need for professional help for his mental health and substance abuse issues, played a role in his deteriorating condition and criminal activity.
{¶ 34} Armstrong cites numerous cases from Champaign and other counties in which offenders convicted of possession of marijuana, including some with criminal
{¶ 35} Consistency includes a range of sentences, taking into consideration a trial court‘s discretion to weigh the relevant statutory factors; even if offenses are similar, distinguishing factors may justify dissimilar sentences. State v. Terrel, 2d Dist. Miami No. 2014-CA-24, 2015-Ohio-4201, ¶ 16, citing State v. Murphy, 10th Dist. Franklin No. 12AP-952, 2013-Ohio-5599, ¶ 14, and State v. Battle, 10th Dist. Franklin No. 06AP-863, 2007-Ohio-1845, ¶ 24. Additionally, consistency in sentencing does not result from a case-by-case comparison, but by the trial court‘s proper application of the statutory sentencing guidelines. Id., citing State v. Hall, 179 Ohio App.3d 727, 2008-Ohio-6228, 903 N.E.2d 676, ¶ 10 (10th Dist.). An offender cannot simply present other cases in which an individual convicted of the same offense received a lesser sentence to demonstrate that his sentence is inconsistent with other sentences; rather, to demonstrate that a sentence is inconsistent, an offender must show that the trial court did not properly consider applicable sentencing criteria found in
{¶ 36} The trial court conducted a thorough analysis of the sentencing factors. It focused, in particular, on the great potential for harm inherent in Armstrong‘s conduct, although, luckily, no physical injuries were inflicted. In addition to the obvious danger posed by gunfire toward moving, occupied vehicles, the prosecutor observed that the propane tank that Armstrong shot could have exploded, and that the gas in the air caused substantial danger as officers and fire department personnel approached the scene.
{¶ 37} The court recognized that Armstrong‘s military service had contributed to the offenses and expressed compassion and concern about Armstrong‘s mental health, while recognizing that treatment options were limited. As best we can discern from the record, the trial court faced a no-win choice between treatment without assured safety for the community and safety for the community without assured treatment.
{¶ 38} Considering the interplay between Armstrong‘s mental health issues, his substance abuse, the effect of his substance abuse in aggravating his mental health issues, and the substantial danger posed by his actions in this case, we cannot clearly and convincingly conclude that the trial court‘s imposition of the maximum sentence for Armstrong‘s aggravated possession of drugs was unsupported by the record or contrary to law.
{¶ 39} The first assignment of error is overruled.
V. Imposition of Consecutive Sentences
{¶ 40} In his second assignment of error, Armstrong argues that the trial court erred by imposing consecutive sentences, given that he was a first-time offender who caused no physical harm, was remorseful, and “accepts the need for treatment.” Again, Armstrong cites other cases from this district in support of his position, observing that we have, in other cases, reversed maximum, consecutive sentences imposed on first-offenders.
{¶ 42} First, as discussed with regard to the imposition of maximum sentences, above, we disagree with Armstrong‘s premise that sentences imposed in different cases can be compared based on the similarity of one or two facts, such as the status of the defendant as a first-offender or the crime charged. Many factors enter into a sentencing determination in each case, and sentences cannot reasonably be compared to one another in this manner. See Terrel, 2d Dist. Miami No. 2014-CA-24, 2015-Ohio-4201, ¶ 16; Battle, 10th Dist. Franklin No. 06AP-863, 2007-Ohio-1845, ¶ 24.
{¶ 43} Armstrong also asserts that he “was not the worst offender and his conduct
{¶ 44} Finally, Armstrong contends that the trial court improperly elicited the prosecutor‘s opinions on matters about which he “was clearly not qualified to opine” during the sentencing hearing, specifically Armstrong‘s ability to aim at a moving vehicle without aiming for its occupants.
{¶ 45} The trial court did inquire of the prosecutor whether the State believed that Armstrong “was capable of selecting his outcome,” in other words, whether he “just haphazardly shot” and happened to hit the back of the vehicle in which a woman and her grandchild were driving, or whether he was able to intentionally shoot only at the back of the vehicle. In response, the prosecutor acknowledged his limited qualifications to answer the question, but observed that Armstrong had shot at cars “being driven by humans,” that “[t]his isn‘t the movies,” and the cars were being driven at high rates of speed; “as a layperson, I find it difficult to believe that he had the skill set, such a high skill set, that he could choose precisely how he was going to strike that car with his shot
{¶ 46} One of the factors the court found was that Armstrong did not intend to cause physical injury. It is reasonable to assume that the trial court understood the prosecutor‘s statements to reflect the State‘s theory of the case, not expert testimony about firearms and Armstrong‘s marksmanship.
{¶ 47} The trial court found, with respect to the imposition of consecutive sentences, that such sentences were necessary to protect the public from future crime, were not disproportionate to the seriousness of Armstrong‘s conduct and the danger he posed to the public, that at least two of the offenses were committed as part of one or more courses of conduct, and that the harm caused by the multiple offense was so great or unusual that a single prison term did not adequately reflect its seriousness. We cannot clearly and convincingly find that the record does not support these findings or that the imposition of consecutive sentences was contrary to law.
{¶ 48} The second assignment of error is overruled.
VI. Conclusion
{¶ 49} The judgment of the trial court will be affirmed.
WELBAUM, J., concurs.
{¶ 50} I respectfully dissent. Missing from the trial court‘s analysis is consideration that Am.Sub.H.B. 86 created a statutory presumption in favor of concurrent sentences to punish an offender like Armstrong. As I have previously noted, the “trial court must give serious consideration to the departure from concurrent terms and not utilize consecutive terms as the presumptive starting point.” State v. Withrow, 2d Dist. Clark No. 2015-CA-24, 2016-Ohio-2884, ¶ 54 (Donovan, P.J. dissenting). I note that while Armstrong acknowledged that he had a prior OVI offense, the court indicated that it did not “find the OVI to be a criminal offense. And prior to committing the offense the Defendant has led a law-abiding life for a significant number of years.” Significantly, the court further indicated that “there was some effort by the Defendant not to cause physical injury to another person,” and the court “adopt[ed] Defense Counsel‘s position that the Defendant * * * did not intend to physically assault the motorists.”
{¶ 51}
{¶ 52} In State v. Belew, 140 Ohio St.3d 221, 2014-Ohio-2964, 17 N.E.3d 515, Justice Lanzinger dissented from the majority opinion dismissing the matter “as having been improvidently accepted,” finding that the Court instead “should render an opinion on how [PTSD] must be considered by a court when it sentences a military veteran. And just as important, we should clarify the standard that an appellate court must use in reviewing a sentence of this type.” Id. at ¶ 3. Justice Lanzinger noted that
{¶ 53} It is well known that veterans such as Armstrong often suffer from PTSD, mental illness, and substance abuse problems that were caused by their experiences in the military. In addressing veterans at the kickoff event for the Montgomery County veterans’ treatment court in 2013, Justice Eveylyn Lundberg Stratton stated, “You defended our country, * * * Sometimes you ended up with these problems - not because you had a bad personality or you made a mistake - but because you served our county and came back with war wounds most of which we cannot see.” Http://www.vorys.com/newsevents-news-736.html.2
{¶ 54} Armstrong‘s version of events as reflected in his PSI makes clear that he was experiencing psychological problems and paranoia at the time of the offenses as follows:
* * * I knew not the harshness of judgment for my actions, nor did I consider results for my actions before hand. I was perinoid (sic), mad, stressed, and [had] been for a great length of time. No one really cared (so I thought) at the moment. I did not go outside with wepeon (sic) with intent to do anything other than shoot bottles. Then I decided to shoot propane tank - then - warning shoots for ppl. I thought were following me. Then house and window - etc. (no plan[n]ing) was just mad and at the moment I was upset about were (sic) I was in my life feeling overwhelmed/scared. Perinoid pissed off and wanted to change things with myself; job, etc. Didn‘t think about actions but now glad that no one is hurt, otherwise idk3 if I would have been able to live with my actions - so on that note I realize there are consiquence (sic) to my actions and for that I have no excuses or justified reason.
{¶ 55} Armstrong‘s Forensic Psychological Evaluation concluded that he “has been experiencing and continues to manifest multiple psychological problems which are in the range of moderate to severe psychopathology.” According to the report, Armstrong is “in need of a multi-modal treatment program involving psychiatric counseling, psychotherapeutic interventions specifically related to posttraumatic stress disorder preferably in a Veterans Administration Hospital which is more experienced in working with returning soldiers who have this disorder, and psychotherapeutic treatment
{¶ 56} In light of the court‘s conclusion that Armstrong did not intend to harm anyone, and the fact that no one was physically injured, as well as Armstrong‘s ongoing struggle with PTSD and substance abuse problems traceable to his service, I believe the trial court erred by imposing a consecutive term of imprisonment which clearly and convincingly lacks support in the record. Although surely culpable, Armstrong has been failed by the Department of Veterans Affairs and the criminal justice system. I do not reach this conclusion lightly knowing one victim indicated she suffered serious psychological injury, while the other victim did not provide a victim impact statement revealing a psychological injury. In my view, the psychological impact on one victim does not dictate a consecutive term. Fortunately, no physical injury occurred and the propane tank did not explode. Since Armstrong‘s PTSD is traceable to his military service and contributed to the commission of his offenses, I believe that his PTSD and related conditions mitigate in favor of a concurrent term of imprisonment, and I accordingly would reverse and vacate the sentence and order the trial court to impose a concurrent term of imprisonment consistent with the statutory presumption.
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