State v. SmithState v. Smith
- Reporters:
- ,
- Before:
- Patricia A. Delaney, William B. Hoffman, Craig R. Baldwin
For Plaintiff-Appellee: MATTHEW J. MUZIC, Asst. Prosecutor, Holmes Co., 164 E. Jackson St., Millersburg, OH 44654
For Defendant-Appellant: WARNER MENDENHALL, 190 North Union St., Ste. 201, Akron, OH 44304
{¶1} Appellant Dalton G. Smith appeals from the August 23, 2017 Judgment Entry of the Holmes County Municipal Court. Appellee is the state of Ohio.
FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY
{¶2} The following facts are adduced from the record of the bond revocation hearing on July 11, 2017 and the bench trial of August 3, 2017.
{¶3} Appellant was age 87 at the time of these offenses. He met the victim, Jane Doe, when she volunteered at a church where he was the minister. The two have never had a romantic relationship and Doe does not want a romantic relationship with appellant. Doe has told appellant many times, in person, by telephone, and in writing, that she does not want a relationship with him and that she wants him to stop contacting her.
{¶4} Doe’s friends and family, including, e.g., a tenant and Doe’s brother, have encountered appellant on the family’s property and told him to stay away from Doe. The Holmes County Sheriff’s Department has responded to complaints by Doe and deputies have told appellant not to contact her.
{¶5} Nevertheless, by his own admissions, appellant continued to call Doe on the telephone and to show up at her home and her parents’ home.
17CRB123: Criminal Trespass
{¶6} On April 4, 2017, appellant was charged by criminal complaint with one count of criminal trespass pursuant to
{¶7} Appellant appeared in court on April 5, 2017 and requested a continuance to speak to an attorney.
{¶8} On April 10, 2017, attorney Jensen Silvis entered a notice of appearance as counsel for appellant and filed a discovery demand.
{¶9} On April 12, 2017, appellant filed a demand for jury trial. On the same day, counsel filed a motion to withdraw as counsel stating appellant wished to proceed pro se. The motion to withdraw was granted on April 17, 2017.
{¶10} On April 19, 2017, appellant moved for a continuance “to talk to an attorney.” The entry further states, “Plea date is set for Tuesday, April 25, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. Bond is continued.”
{¶11} On April 25, 2017, appellant moved for another continuance to talk to an attorney. The entry further states, “Plea date is set for Wed. May 17, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. Bond is continued.”
{¶12} On May 10, 2017, attorney M. Baserman Jr. filed a notice of appearance and written plea of not guilty, along with a demand for discovery.
{¶13} On May 11, 2017, appellee responded to the demand for discovery.
{¶14} On May 12, 2017, appellee filed a motion to modify appellant’s bond, moving the trial court to add a condition of bond that appellant is not to come within 500
17CRB167: Criminal Trespass
{¶15} On May 15, 2017, appellant was charged by criminal complaint with one count of criminal trespass pursuant to
{¶16} Appellant posted a surety bond in the amount of $1000.00 and was released upon the condition that he have no contact with Jane Doe.
{¶17} On May 17, 2017, the trial court granted appellee’s request and added the bond condition as stated. The trial court also scheduled a pretrial in case numbers 17CRB123 and 17CRB167 for June 30, 2017.2
{¶18} On June 8, 2017, appellee filed a motion to revoke appellant’s bond. The motion alleges that between April 24, 2017 and June 1, 2017, appellant contacted Doe numerous times. Attached to the motion is a narrative report of the Holmes County Sheriff’s Department dated June 6, 2017 stating appellant called her personal phone and her business phone numerous times despite the no-contact order. (Doe’s business line automatically transfers to her personal cell phone.) Doe stated that on April 26, 2017, she texted appellant and asked him to stop to contacting her.
{¶20} On June 12, 2017, appellant moved for a bond revocation hearing.
17CRB183: Telephone Harassment
{¶21} Also on June 12, 2017, appellant was charged by criminal complaint with one count of telephone harassment pursuant to
{¶22} On June 14, 2017, the trial court filed a Judgment Entry granting appellee’s motion for bond revocation and ordering the issuance of a warrant for appellant’s arrest. Also on June 14, by Judgment Entry, the trial court ordered a bond revocation hearing to be set for June 27, 2017, and that “[t]he warrant shall remain in place.”
{¶23} On June 22, 2017, a Judgment Entry was filed stating “[b]ond is set at $10,000 cash or surety. No 10% allowed.”
{¶24} On June 27, 2017, a Judgment Entry was filed stating the bond revocation hearing was continued to July 11, 2017 at the request of defense counsel. Also on that date, appellant posted a surety bond in the amount of $10,000.00.
{¶25} On July 6, 2017, appellee filed a motion for bond revocation alleging appellant violated the no-contact order twice on July 1, 2017; three times on July 4, 2017; and three times on July 6, 2017.
{¶26} On July 11, 2017, a bond revocation hearing was held before the trial court. Jane Doe testified at the hearing that appellant called her numerous times, even upon his
{¶27} The same day as the hearing, the trial court filed a judgment entry under case numbers 17CRB123, 17CRB167, and 17CRB183, finding appellant did violate the no-contact order on the bond. The Judgment Entry further stated:
* * * *.
The Court specifically takes judicial notice that the Defendant is currently facing three different charges involving harassment or trespass against the alleged victim. The Court has repeated[ly] warned the Defendant not to have any contact with the alleged victim while this matter is pending. The Defendant has repeatedly ignored the Court’s warning and admitted to actually speaking with the Holmes County Probate Court staff prior to the hearing
today about obtaining a marriage license for himself and the alleged victim. The Defendant does not believe that the alleged victim wants him to stay away from her, despite her repeated requests for him to leave her alone. This Court is extremely concerned for the safety of the alleged victim. The Defendant has made it clear that he believes that he and the alleged victim are supposed to be together despite the Court’s order to stay away.
The Court has no other option available to protect this alleged victim.
IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED, that the Defendant’s bond be revoked and the Defendant’s surety shall be released from their obligation in this matter and the Defendant shall be placed in custody by the Holmes County Sheriff. The Defendant shall remain incarcerated until his trial date of July 27, 2017 at 9:00 a.m.
* * * *. (Emphasis added).
{¶28} On July 12, 2017, appellant filed a withdrawal of his demand for jury trial.
{¶29} On July 13, 2017, the trial court set the matter for bench trial on July 27, 2017.
17CRB208: Telephone Harassment
{¶30} On July 17, 2017, appellant was charged by criminal complaint with one count of telephone harassment pursuant to
{¶31} On July 18, 2017, defense trial counsel (Baserman) filed a motion to withdraw as retained counsel. Attached to the motion is a written message from appellant in jail to his attorney stating he was “dismissed” effective immediately.
{¶32} On July 19, 2017, the trial court journalized an entry stating appellant was found to be indigent and Attorney Baserman was appointed as counsel.
{¶33} On July 24, 2017, appellee moved to continue the July 27 bench trial because Jane Doe’s father passed away and she would be unable to testify on the 27th.
{¶34} On July 25, 2017, the trial court granted appellee’s motion to continue and rescheduled the bench trial for August 3, 2017.
{¶35} On July 28, 2017, appellant filed a motion to dismiss case number 17CRB123, the criminal trespass count, for violation of his right to a speedy trial.
{¶36} On August 3, 2017, the trial court overruled appellant’s motion to dismiss.
{¶37} All four criminal cases proceeded to bench trial on August 3, 2017 and appellant was found guilty as charged. The trial court sentenced appellant to an aggregate jail term of one year, followed by a 3-year probation term conditioned upon, e.g., no contact with Jane Doe and a complete mental evaluation of appellant. The trial court’s sentencing entry further notes:
* * * *.
It is the intent of this court to release the Defendant from the Holmes County Jail as soon as a mental health assessment and medications and/or counseling recommendations are in place. At
that point, the remaining term of the defendant’s sentence shall be suspended and the recommendations of the mental health professional shall become a term of probation. Refusal to comply with any of the terms of the mental health treatment plan shall constitute a violation of probation. * * * *.
{¶38} On September 8, 2017, the trial court filed a judgment entry ordering appellant’s release from jail “at the earliest possible date,” reiterating appellant’s conditions of probation including electronic monitoring and no contact with Jane Doe. The remaining balance of the jail time was suspended.
{¶39} Appellant now appeals from the trial court’s judgment entry of August 24, 2017.
{¶40} Appellant raises three assignments of error:
ASSIGNMENTS OF ERROR
{¶41} “I. THE JUDGE ERRED IN FINDING DEFENDANT’S RIGHT TO A SPEEDY TRIAL WAS NOT VIOLATED IN CASE NO. 17CRB00123.”
{¶42} “II. DEFENDANT’S CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS UNDER THE CONFRONTATION CLAUSE WERE VIOLATED WHEN HIS VIEW OF THE STATE’S KEY WITNESS WAS BLOCKED ABSENT A FINDING OF NECESSITY.”
{¶43} “III. DEFENDANT WAS DENIED EFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE OF COUNSEL DUE TO HIS COUNSEL’S FAILURE TO INTRODUCE POTENTIALLY EXCULPATORY TESTIMONY AND EVIDENCE.”
I.
{¶44} In his first assignment of error, appellant argues the trial court should have granted his motion to dismiss 17CRB123, one count of criminal trespass, due to violation of his right to a speedy trial. We disagree.
{¶45} Speedy-trial provisions are mandatory and are encompassed within the Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution. The availability of a speedy trial to a person accused of a crime is a fundamental right made obligatory on the states through the Fourteenth Amendment. State v. Ladd, 56 Ohio St.2d 197, 200, 383 N.E.2d 579 (1978). “The statutory speedy trial provisions,
{¶46} Our 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. State v. Larkin, 5th Dist. Richland No. 2004-CA-103, 2005-Ohio-3122, ¶ 11. As an appellate court, we must accept as true any facts found by the trial court and supported by competent, credible evidence. State v. Taylor, 5th Dist. Richland No. 16 CA 17, 2016-Ohio-5912, ¶ 43, citing Larkin, supra. With regard to the legal issues, however, we apply a de novo standard of review and thus freely review the trial court‘s application of the law to the facts. Id.
{¶48} When reviewing the legal issues presented in a speedy-trial claim, we must strictly construe the relevant statutes against appellee. Brecksville v. Cook, 75 Ohio St.3d 53, 57, 661 N.E.2d 706 (1996); State v. Colon, 5th Dist. Stark No. 09-CA-232, 2010-Ohio-2326, ¶ 12.
{¶49} Appellant was arrested on April 2, 2017, and posted bond the same day. The day of arrest is not counted when computing the time within which a defendant must be brought to trial. State v. Lautenslager, 112 Ohio App.3d 108, 110, 677 N.E.2d 1263 (3rd Dist.1996);
{¶50} The speedy-trial clock in the instant case was effectively tolled for several reasons. Speedy-trial time requirements may be tolled by certain events listed in
{¶51} Appellant was arrested on April 2, bonded out, and appeared in court on April 5. At his court date, appellant requested a continuance. This time period is assessed against appellee as 3 days.
{¶52} Appellant concedes he or his counsel moved for continuances until July 11, 2017. On that date, the bond-revocation hearing was held, the trial court found appellant violated the no-contact order, and appellant was jailed. Time is tolled for the period from April 5 to July 11 because of continuances on appellant’s own motion and periods of delay necessitated by his lack of counsel. We therefore assess no time against appellee for the time period from April 5 to July 11.
{¶53} Appellant’s bench trial took place on August 3, 2017, 23 days later, a period during which appellant remained in jail. We agree with the trial court, though, that significant tolling events occurred during the period from July 11 to August 3.
{¶54} The first tolling event occurred when appellant’s counsel filed a motion to withdraw on July 18.3 The motion was resolved when counsel was appointed to represent
{¶55} The next tolling event occurred on July 24, 2017, when appellee moved to continue the bench trial due to the death of Jane Doe’s father. We count the time period from July 19 to July 24 as 15 days: 5 days from July 19 to July 24, times three.
{¶56} The bench trial had been scheduled for July 27, 2017. On July 25, 2017, the trial court granted appellee’s motion to continue and rescheduled the bench trial for August 3, 2017.
{¶57} In the instant case, the death of the father of the complaining witness created the basis for a necessary and reasonable continuance. For the time period from July 24 to the date the motion was resolved, we count 3 days.
{¶59} We find, therefore, that a total of 42 days may be assessed against appellee. Appellant was therefore tried within the 45-day time limit of
{¶60} Appellant’s first assignment of error is overruled.
II.
{¶61} In his second assignment of error, appellant argues the trial court violated his right to confront witnesses against him by blocking his view of Jane Doe while she testified. We disagree.
{¶62} We first note the record is sparse but indicates the bailiff blocked appellant’s view of Jane Doe during her trial testimony by standing in front of Jane Doe. T. 25-26. Appellant did not object, although he complained to the trial court that he couldn’t hear and the trial court explained Doe would speak into the microphone as she testified. There is no further evidence in the record that appellant could not hear Doe after her testimony began. Nor is there any documentation in the record of how long the “blocking” took place, or whether appellant was effectively prevented from viewing Doe as she testified.
{¶63} The Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution provides, “[I]n all criminal prosecutions the accused shall enjoy the right * * * to be confronted with the
{¶64} As appellant acknowledges, however, the United States Supreme Court has held that a defendant‘s right to face-to-face confrontation is not absolute and may be appropriately limited under certain circumstances. In Maryland v. Craig, the Supreme Court explained that the Confrontation Clause reflects a preference for face-to-face confrontation at trial, a preference that must occasionally give way to considerations of public policy and the necessities of the case. 497 U.S. 836, 849, 110 S.Ct. 3157, 111 L.Ed.2d 666 (1990). The court further held that a defendant‘s right to confront accusatory witnesses may be satisfied absent a physical, face-to-face confrontation at trial only where (1) the denial of such confrontation is necessary to further an important public policy, and only where (2) the reliability of the testimony is otherwise assured by the other elements of the confrontation right, “including testimony under oath, the opportunity for cross-examination, and the opportunity for the judge, jury, and the defendant to view the witness‘s demeanor as he or she testifies.” Id.
{¶65} Confrontation Clause claims not preserved by objection are reviewed for plain error. State v. Garrison, 5th Dist. Muskingum No. CT2017-0034, 2018-Ohio-1048, ¶ 13, citing State v. Hartman, 2nd Dist. No. 26609, 2016–Ohio–2883, 64 N.E.3d 519, ¶ 83, appeal not allowed, 146 Ohio St.3d 1515, 2016–Ohio–7199, 60 N.E.3d 7, ¶ 83 (2016). The Ohio Supreme Court has recently clarified the standard of review for plain error:
Crim.R. 52(B) affords appellate courts discretion to correct “[p]lain errors or defects affecting substantial rights” notwithstanding an accused‘s failure to meet his obligation to bring those errors to the attention of the trial court. However, the accused bears the burden to demonstrate plain error on the record, State v. Quarterman, 140 Ohio St.3d 464, 2014–Ohio–4034, 19 N.E.3d 900, ¶ 16, and must show “an error, i.e., a deviation from a legal rule” that constitutes “an ‘obvious’ defect in the trial proceedings,” State v. Barnes, 94 Ohio St.3d 21, 27, 759 N.E.2d 1240 (2002).Even if the error is obvious, it must have affected substantial rights, and “[w]e have interpreted this aspect of the rule to mean that the trial court‘s error must have affected the outcome of the trial.” Id. We recently clarified in State v. Rogers, 143 Ohio St.3d 385, 2015–Ohio–2459, 38 N.E.3d 860, that the accused is “required to demonstrate a reasonable probability that the error resulted in prejudice—the same deferential standard for reviewing ineffective assistance of counsel claims.” (Emphasis sic.) Id. at ¶ 22, citing United States v. Dominguez Benitez, 542 U.S. 74, 81–83, 124 S.Ct. 2333, 159 L.Ed.2d 157 (2004).
If the accused shows that the trial court committed plain error affecting the outcome of the proceeding, an appellate court is not required to correct it; we have “admonish[ed] courts to notice plain error ‘with the utmost caution, under exceptional circumstances and
only to prevent a manifest miscarriage of justice.’” (Emphasis added.) Barnes at 27, quoting State v. Long, 53 Ohio St.2d 91, 372 N.E.2d 804 (1978), paragraph three of the syllabus.
State v. Thomas, 152 Ohio St.3d 15, 2017-Ohio-8011, 92 N.E.3d 821, ¶ 32-34, reconsideration denied, 151 Ohio St.3d 1445, 2017-Ohio-8730, 87 N.E.3d 215.
{¶66} Jane Doe was sworn by the court, testified, and was subject to cross-examination before the finder of fact. The trial court was able to assess Doe’s demeanor while she testified. There is no indication in the record that once Jane Doe testified using the microphone, appellant had any problem hearing her.
{¶67} Appellant argues a finding of necessity was required before the trial court could obstruct appellant’s view of Jane Doe. The U.S. Supreme Court has recognized, “[W]hen defendants seek to undermine the judicial process by procuring or coercing silence from witnesses and victims, the Sixth Amendment does not require courts to acquiesce.” State v. Johnson, 195 Ohio App.3d 59, 2011-Ohio-3143, 958 N.E.2d 977, ¶ 63 (1st Dist.), citing Davis v. Washington, 547 U.S. 813, 833, 126 S.Ct. 2266, 165 L.Ed.2d 224 (2006). We note that on pages 5-6 of the trial court’s Judgment Entry of August 3 overruling the motion to dismiss, the trial court stated in pertinent part:
* * * *. This Court took into consideration everything that had allegedly occurred to the victim over the course of these allegations. As well as the fact that the victim was subpoenaed to testify in the Bond Revocation hearing over her objections and was placed in the courtroom with the Defendant who made several attempts to get
closer to the victim during the hearing. The victim has stated numerous times of her concern to be near the Defendant (sic), and the Defendant even admitted during said hearing that he had gone to the Holmes County Probate Court on the day of the hearing to investigate if he could get a marriage license for him and the alleged victim. This Court determined that forcing the alleged victim into court to testify again and miss funeral arrangements for her father, who only serve to victimize her further (sic). * * * *.
{¶68} On the limited record before us, we decline to find that appellant’s right to confront witnesses was limited in any meaningful way because it is not evident to us, and appellant does not reveal, the effectiveness of “blocking” his view of Doe by putting the bailiff between them.
{¶69} Even if we assumed without deciding that blocking appellant’s view of Doe was error, it was not “plain error.” As stated previously, “plain error” exists only when it is clear the verdict would have been otherwise but for the error. State v. Knauff, 4th Dist. Adams No. 10CA900, 2011-Ohio-2725, ¶ 44, appeal not allowed, 129 Ohio St.3d 1507, 2011-Ohio-5358, 955 N.E.2d 388. We find no error and no violation of appellant’s right to confront witnesses. Moreover, appellant has not demonstrated a reasonable probability the alleged error affected the outcome of the trial. If the bailiff had not obstructed appellant’s view of Jane Doe, we are unable to conclude on this record the result of the proceeding would have been different. State v. Garrison, 5th Dist. Muskingum No. CT2017-0034, 2018-Ohio-1048, ¶ 18. We find no plain error in the trial court’s decision permitting the bailiff to “block” appellant’s view of Jane Doe.
III.
{¶71} In his third assignment of error, appellant argues he received ineffective assistance of defense trial counsel because appellant was the sole defense witness at trial and counsel did not use certain evidence at trial. We disagree.
{¶72} To succeed on a claim of ineffectiveness, a defendant must satisfy a two-prong test. Initially, a defendant must show that trial counsel acted incompetently. See, Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 104 S.Ct. 2052 (1984). In assessing such claims, “a court must indulge a strong presumption that counsel‘s conduct falls within the wide range of reasonable professional assistance; that is, the defendant must overcome the presumption that, under the circumstances, the challenged action ‘might be considered sound trial strategy.’” Id. at 689, citing Michel v. Louisiana, 350 U.S. 91, 101, 76 S.Ct. 158 (1955).
{¶73} “There are countless ways to provide effective assistance in any given case. Even the best criminal defense attorneys would not defend a particular client in the same way.” Strickland, 466 U.S. at 689. The question is whether counsel acted “outside the wide range of professionally competent assistance.” Id. at 690.
{¶74} Even if a defendant shows that counsel was incompetent, the defendant must then satisfy the second prong of the Strickland test. Under this “actual prejudice” prong, the defendant must show that “there is a reasonable probability that, but for counsel‘s unprofessional errors, the result of the proceeding would have been different.” Strickland, 466 U.S. at 694.
{¶76} Moreover, appellant’s summary argument does not reveal how any such evidence would have changed the outcome of the proceeding in light of his admissions to the harassing conduct. We decline to find counsel was ineffective because appellant has failed to demonstrate actual prejudice. See, State v. Shuster, 5th Dist. Morgan No. 13AP0001, 2014-Ohio-3486, ¶ 64 [declining to speculate on outcome if counsel had properly called expert witness].
{¶77} We also must presume a properly-licensed attorney executes his or her duties in an ethical and competent manner. Sanders, supra, 2016-Ohio-7204 at ¶ 34, citing State v. Smith, 17 Ohio St.3d 98, 100, 477 N.E.2d 1128 (1985). Under the circumstances presented, we are not inclined to overcome this presumption with the limited information in the appellate record before us. Id.
{¶78} Appellant’s third assignment of error is overruled.
{¶79} Appellant’s three assignments of error are overruled and the judgment of the Holmes County Municipal Court is affirmed.
By: Delaney, J.,
Hoffman, P.J. and
Baldwin, J., concur.