STATE OF OHIO, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. JEREMIAH SWAYNE, Defendant-Appellant.
Case Nos. 12CA952, 12CA953, 12CA954
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO FOURTH APPELLATE DISTRICT ADAMS COUNTY
RELEASED: 08/20/13
[Cite as State v. Swayne, 2013-Ohio-3747.]
Harsha, J.
DECISION AND JUDGMENT ENTRY
Timothy Young, Ohio Public Defender, and Kristopher A. Haines, Assistant State Public Defender, Columbus, Ohio, for appellant.
C. David Kelley, Adams County Prosecutor, and Kris D. Blanton, Adams County Assistant Prosecutor, West Union, Ohio, for appellee.
Harsha, J.
{¶1} After Jeremiah Swayne pleaded guilty to various charges in three cases, the trial court placed him on community control and later found he violated conditions of that sanction. In consolidated appeals, he challenges the court‘s decision to revoke community control, impose prison terms, and disapprove his placement into an intensive program prisоn. He contends the court violated his due process rights when it failed to issue a written statement of evidence it relied on and its reasons for revocation. However, the court made oral statements that sufficiently informed Swayne of the reasons and provide an adequate record for appellate review. Therefore, we reject this argument.
{¶2} Swayne also asserts the court violated his due process rights when it revoked community control because the court did not act as a neutral and detached
{¶3} Swayne maintains the court erred when it disapproved his placement into an intensive program prison. We agree. Under
{¶4} Next, Swayne contends the court abused its discretion when it imposed excessive individual prison sentences. However, he failed to show the court‘s decision was unreasonable, arbitrary, or unconscionable.
{¶5} Swayne also argues the court erred when it imposed consecutive sentences because the harm caused by his three burglaries of the same home was not so great that no single prison term for any of the offenses adequately reflected the seriousness of his conduct. We agree that nothing in the record supports the court‘s finding that Swayne caused great harm because he took a child‘s school clothes during one burglary. However, the court also reasoned that Swayne caused great harm because he denied the home‘s occupants the security of being safe in thеir own home. Although Swayne points out that feelings of lost security are common after burglaries, there inevitably must be a quantum diminution of sanctity when one‘s home is burglarized by the same perpetrator not once, but three times in a relatively short time span. Therefore, we clearly and convincingly find the record supports the court‘s great harm finding.
{¶6} Swayne also contends the court erred when it imposed consecutive sentences because they are not necessary to protect the public from future crime or to punish him and are disproportionate to the seriousness of his conduct and the danger he posed the public. Howеver, Swayne committed multiple crimes in a short time span, purportedly because of drug addiction. He violated his community control by using multiple drugs again after he got treatment, putting the public at risk for another drug-induced crime spree. Therefore, we clearly and convincingly find the record supports the court‘s findings.
I. Facts
{¶7} In Adams County Common Pleas case 20100335, Swayne pleaded guilty to three counts of burglary. In Adams County Common Pleas case 20100337, he pleaded guilty to trafficking drugs. And in Adams County Common Pleas case 20100339, he pleaded guilty to theft. In 2011, the court sentenced him to community control, placed him in the STAR Community Based Correctional Facility, and ordered him to complete a treatment plan in each case. The court ordered him to pay restitution totaling $8,300.00 and do other things not relevant here. The court told him any violation of his sentences would lead to a more restrictive sanction, longer sanction, or stated prison term.
{¶8} In 2012, the State moved to revoke community control, alleging Swayne failed to report weekly as ordered and tested positive for and admitted to use of illegal drugs. The court found he committed the violations and revoked community control. In case number 20100335, the court imposed a three year sentence for each count and ordered him to serve the sentenсes consecutively. The court imposed a six month
II. Assignments of Error
{¶9} Swayne assigns four errors for our review:
- The trial court improperly revoked Mr. Swayne‘s community control, in violation of Mr. Swaynе‘s rights to due process under the Fourteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution, and Article I, Section 16 of the Ohio Constitution. ***
- The trial court abused its discretion when it imposed excessive individual prison sentences against Mr. Swayne, in violation of Ohio‘s sentencing provisions, and in violation of Mr. Swayne‘s Sixth and Fourteenth Amendment rights under the United States Constitution, and Article I, Sections 10 and 16 of the Ohio Constitution. ***
- The trial court committed reversible error when it imposed consecutive prison sentences against Mr. Swayne, in violation of Ohio‘s sentencing provisions, and in violation of Mr. Swayne‘s Sixth and Fourteenth Amendment rights under the United States Constitution, and Article I, Sections 10 and 16 of the Ohio Constitution. ***
- The trial court committed reversible error when it failed to make a finding stating its reasons for denying Mr. Swayne‘s placement into an intensive program prison, in violation of Ohio‘s sentencing provisions, and in violation of Mr. Swayne‘s Sixth and Fourteenth Amendment rights under the United States Constitution, and Article I, Sections 10 and 16 of the Ohio Constitution. ***
III. Due Process and the Revocation of Community Control
A. Written Statement Requirement
{¶11} Swayne does not argue insufficient evidence supports the court‘s findings that he violated community control. But he claims the court violated his due process rights because it did not issue a written statement of the evidence it relied on and its reasons for revoking community control. He failed to raise this issue below and forfeited all but plain error. See
{¶12} “A silent defendant has the burden to satisfy the plain-error rule[,] and a reviewing court may consult the whole record when considering the effect of any error on substantial rights.” State v. Davis, 4th Dist. Highland No. 06CA21, 2007-Ohio-3944, ¶ 22, citing United States v. Vonn, 535 U.S. 55, 59, 122 S.Ct. 1043, 152 L.Ed.2d 90 (2002). For us to find plain error: 1.) there must be an error, i.e., “a deviation from a legal rule“; 2.) the error must be plain, i.e., “an ‘obvious’ defect in the trial proceedings“; and 3.) the error must have affected “substantial rights,” i.e., it must have affected the outcome of the proceedings. State v. Barnes, 94 Ohio St.3d 21, 27, 759 N.E.2d 1240 (2002). The Supreme Court of Ohio has “acknowledged the discretionary aspect of
{¶13} “The written statement *** helps to insure accurate factfinding with respect to any alleged violation and provides an adequate basis for review to determine if the decision rests on permissible grounds supported by the evidence.” Black v. Romano, 471 U.S. 606, 613-614, 105 S.Ct. 2254, 85 L.Ed.2d 636 (1985). An oral statement by the court can satisfy this requirement if it sufficiently informs the accused of the reasons for revocation and provides an adequate record for appellate review. State v. Norman, 4th Dist. Scioto No. 00CA2736, 2001 WL 615332, *5 (May 25, 2001), citing State v. Delaney, 11 Ohio St.3d 231, 465 N.E.2d 72 (1984).
{¶14} At the final revocation hearing, Swayne‘s probation officer testified that the alleged violations occurred. Subsequently, the court stated:
As submitted the court hereby finds that based upon the uncontroverted testimony that the defendant violated condition number 4 by failing to report to the probation officer as required on March 2nd, March 9th, March 16th, March 30th, all in the year of 2012, as well as April 27th and May 25th, again in the year of 2012. Therefore, the defendant is in violation of condition number 4.
Further, the court finds that defendant violated condition number 8 by
testing positive for THC, also admitting the utilization of White Rabbit and Black Magic Smoke as being abused which is a designed stimulant similar to bath salts with hallucinogeniс reactions. That being the testimony again without challenge the court hereby finds that the defendant has violated condition number 8, the defendant‘s community control is hereby revoked.
{¶15} Because these statements sufficiently informed Swayne of the reasons for revocation and provide an adequate record for our review, we find no error in the court‘s failure to issue a written statement. In the absence of a deviation from a legal rule, there can be no plain error.
B. Neutral and Detached Decision Maker Requirement
{¶16} Next, Swayne contends the court was not neutral and detached, i.e., it was biased. He failed to raise this issue below and again forfeited all but plain error. The term “biased or prejudiced,” when used to refer to a judge before whom an action is pending, “implies a hostile feeling or spirit of ill will or undue friendship or favoritism toward one of the litigants or his attorney, with the formation of a fixed anticipatory judgment on the part of the judge, as contradistinguished from an open state of mind which will be governed by the law and the facts.” State ex rel. Pratt v. Weygandt, 164 Ohio St. 463, 469, 132 N.E.2d 191 (1956). There is a presumption that a judge is unbiased and unprejudiced. In re Disqualification of DeWine, 135 Ohio St.3d 1201, 2012-Ohio-6288, ¶ 14. The appearance of judicial bias or prejudice must be compelling to overcome it. In re Disqualification of Olivito, 74 Ohio St.3d 1261, 1263, 657 N.E.2d 1361 (1994).
{¶17} Swayne complains the court was “demonstrably concerned with [his] apparent association with another defendаnt, [his] apparent conception of a child with that person, [his] failure to pay restitution to the trial court‘s satisfaction, and the cost of
{¶18} In addition, after the court found Swayne violated community control at the final revocation hearing, Swayne‘s attorney told the court STAR had a relapse program. The court responded: “There have been similar cases we‘ve just never had them come out after taxpayers paying $12,000, hook up with another convicted felon, create another baby that we‘re going to pay for because he doesn‘t have any money аnd then on designer drugs and not report.” Presumably Ms. Richendollar is the “convicted felon” to whom the court referred. The court continued the case for sentencing but informed Swayne it would not have him assessed further for STAR.
{¶19} Although some of the court‘s comments reflect displeasure with Swain‘s lifestyle, we do not find they rise to a level that negates the presumption that the court was unbiased and unprejudiced. The statements do not demonstrate the court formed a fixed anticipatory judgment in this case, i.e., it decided to find Swayne committed the violations, revoke community control, and impose prison time before it heard any evidence. Some of thе matters the court commented on are relevant considerations in
{¶20} Swayne complains the court gave “little consideration” to his drug problem and the fact that he needed additional help. He claims the court refused to consider more drug treatment because it was expensive and ignored the high cost of imprisonment. However, the court‘s comments suggest it felt more treatment would be a waste of resources because Swayne did not take his first opportunity seriously.
{¶21} Swayne also argues the court failed to consider whether his community control violations were significant enough to actually warrant revocation of community control. He suggests the violations were not significant because they are commonly committed by offenders like him with drug addictions. He highlights the fact that his prior record consists only of a misdemeanor traffic violation.
{¶22} We disagree with the premise that a community control violation is insignificant just because it is typical or common. And the fact that Swayne feels his violations and prior record did not warrant revocation does not prove bias or prejudice on the part of the court. We overrule the first assigned error.
IV. Sentencing
{¶23} In his other assigned errors, Swayne challenges his sentences.
A. Res Judicata
{¶24} Initially, the State argues the doctrine of res judicata precludes Swayne‘s complaints about his prison terms. If a party fails to timely appeal a final order, matters
{¶25} The State contends Swayne should have filed a direct appeal of his prison sentences in 2011 when the court imposed community control. However, the court did not impose prison terms then – it simply notified Swayne a community control violation might lead to stated prison terms.
B. Standard of Review
{¶26} Generally, when reviewing felony sentences we apply the two-step analysis announced by the Supreme Court of Ohio in State v. Kalish, 120 Ohio St.3d 23, 2008-Ohio-4912, 896 N.E.2d 124. First, we “must examine the sentencing court‘s compliance with all applicable rules and statutes in imposing the sentence to determine whether the sentence is clearly and convincingly contrary to law.” Kalish at ¶ 4. If the sentence is not clearly and convincingly contrary to law, we must review the trial court‘s decision for an abuse of discretion. Id.
{¶27} However, with the enactment of Am.Sub.H.B. No. 86, effective September
C. Clearly and Convincingly Contrary to Law
{¶28} Swayne makes one claim we interpret as an argument that his sentences are clearly and convincingly contrary to law. In his fourth assigned error, he contends the court erred when it failed to make a finding stating its reasons for disapproving his placement into an intensive program prison (“IPP“), in violation of constitutional provisions and Ohio‘s sentencing laws. In his argument, Swayne only contends the court did not comply with
{¶29}
The sentencing court * * * may recommend placement of the offender in * * * an intensive program prison under section 5120.032 of the Revised Code, disapprove placement of the offender in a program or prison of that nature, or make no recommendation. If the court recommends or disapproves placement, it shall make a finding that gives its reasons for its recommendation or disapproval. (Emphasis added).
{¶30} Swayne appears eligible for an IPP under
{¶31} Swayne cites no other failure of the trial court to comply with any “applicable rules and statutes,” nor do we see any obvious violation of this requirement. Therefore, we find the rest of his sentenсes are not clearly and convincingly contrary to law.
D. Abuse of Discretion
{¶32} In his second assigned error, Swayne argues the court abused its discretion when it imposed excessive individual prison sentences in violation of constitutional provisions and Ohio‘s sentencing laws. However, Swayne again fails to discuss any constitutional provisions in his argument. Because he limits his argument to Ohio‘s sentencing laws, we will do the same with our analysis.
{¶33} The phrase abuse of discretion connotes an unreasonable, unconscionable, or arbitrary attitude on the part of the court. State v. Adams, 62 Ohio St.2d 151, 157, 404 N.E.2d 144 (1980). When applying the abuse of discretion standard, we are not free to merely substitute our judgment for that of thе trial court. In re Jane Doe 1, 57 Ohio St.3d 135, 137-138, 566 N.E.2d 1181 (1991).
{¶34} Swayne argues the imposition of prison time in his cases, especially maximum sentences for some crimes, does not fulfill the purposes of Ohio‘s felony sentencing scheme set forth by the General Assembly in
(A) A court that sentences an offender for a felony shall be guided by the overriding purposes of felony sentencing. The overriding purposes of felony sentencing are to protect the public from future crime by the offender and others and to punish the offender using the minimum sanctions that the court determines accomplish those purposes without imposing an unnecessary burden on state or local government resources. To achieve those purposes, the sentencing court shall consider the need for incapacitating the offender, deterring the offender and others from future crime, rehabilitating the offender, and making restitution to the victim of the offense, the public, or both.
(B) A sentence imposed for a felony shall be reasonably calculated to achieve the two overriding purposes of felony sentencing set forth in division (A) of this section, commensurate with and not demeaning to the seriousness of the offender‘s conduct and its impact upon the victim, and consistent with sentences imposed for similar crimes committed by similar offenders. ***
{¶35} Swayne contends his criminal history consists of a misdemeanor traffic violation. He claims that he began to use drugs in his teens and attributes his criminal behavior in these cases and community control violations to addiction. Swayne argues the court had no reason to incapacitate him to the extent it did. Future crime could be deterred if the court let him get additional drug treatment and seek work. Swayne argues any need to rehabilitate a “first-time-felon and decade-long substance abuser, would have best been effected through additional professional care.” (Appellant‘s Br.
{¶36} However, the fact that the court had other options does not mean its decision to impose prison terms was unreasonable, unconscionable, or arbitrary. The very essence of discretion is the power to choose among a range of availablе options. See State v. Bashlor, 9th Dist. Lorain Nos. 07CA009199 & 07CA009209, 2008-Ohio-997, ¶ 21 (Slaby, J., concurring in part and dissenting in part). Although Swayne‘s prior criminal history was slight, he committed five felonies in a relatively short time span. The court already gave him one chance for treatment and evidently felt he squandered it. Based on this record, that conclusion is not unreasonable, nor is it arbitrary or unconscionable. At the sentencing hearing, the court noted he had to be re-enrolled in formerly completed STAR classes due to behavior issues. Upon completing STAR, he failed to report to his probation officer and used various drugs. By Swayne‘s own admission, addiction led to his crimes. The court could find that his failure to take recovery seriously meant additional drug treatment was a waste of resources and prison time was necessary to protect the public from another crime spree. Also, Swayne could have but failed to pay restitution while on community control despite the fact that he had a job. The court could find his incarceration would impede payments no more than Swayne‘s own lack of motivation.
{¶37} Swayne offers others reasons for how the court abused its discretion when it sentenced him for the burglary offenses. He argues that when the court imposed community control, the maximum prison term for each offense was five years. The сourt notified him that if he violated community control, it would at most sentence him to three years for each crime. Before the court imposed the prison terms, the legislature amended the range of prison terms for third-degree felonies. Swayne argues that under the current version of
{¶38} Swayne argues his burglary sentences must be excessive because the court previously intended to only impose mid-range sentences and instead has imposed maximum sentences. In other words, the court should havе imposed mid-range sentences based on the new statutory maximum. Swayne argues the court improperly utilized the “sentencing package doctrine” the Supreme Court of Ohio rejected in State v. Saxon, 109 Ohio St.3d 176, 2006-Ohio-1245, 846 N.E.2d 824. There the Court held that “a judge sentencing a defendant pursuant to Ohio law must consider each offense individually and impose a separate sentence for each offense.” Saxon at ¶ 9. “Only after the judge has imposed a separate prison term for each offense may the judge then consider in his discretion whether the offender should serve those terms concurrently or consecutively.” Id. “[T]he judge lacks the authority to consider the offenses as а group and to impose only an omnibus sentence for the group of offenses.” Id.
{¶39} The mere fact that the stated prison terms the court notified Swayne of when it placed him on community control changed from mid-range to maximum terms
{¶40} In short, Swayne failed to show the court acted in an unreasonable, arbitrary, or unconscionable manner when it selected his prison terms. He committed multiple felonies during a short time span, purportedly because of drug addiction. After getting treatment, he failed to report to his probation officer and used multiple drugs. The court could reasonably find the circumstances warranted the prison terms imposed instead of a less restrictive sanction. We overrule the second assignment of error.
E. Consecutive Sentences
{¶41} In his third assigned error, Swayne contends the court erred when it imposed consecutive sentences in violation of constitutional and sentencing provisions. But, in his argument he again fails to discuss constitutional provisions. He simply complains the court erred under
{¶42} H.B. 86, which took effect on September 30, 2011 (before the court sentenced Swayne to prison), revived the requirement that trial courts make certain findings before imposing consecutive sentences. The court must find consecutive sentences “necessary to protect the public from future crime or to punish the offender”
{¶43} Swayne admits the court orally made the findings required by
{¶44} Although
{¶45} We agree nothing in the record supports the court‘s finding that Swayne
{¶46} Swayne also objects to the court‘s findings that consecutive sentences were necessary to protect the public from future crime or to punish the offender. He contends those findings are “identical to the overriding purposes of felony sentencing under
{¶47} However, in Section IV.D., we already rejected Swayne‘s arguments in relation to his complaint about the individual sentences for his crimes. And again, Swayne committed multiple felonies in a short time span, purportedly because of drug addiction. Three of those felonies involved burglaries of the same home. He got treatment but then failed to report tо his probation officer and used multiple drugs, putting the public at risk for another drug-induced crime spree. Based on these circumstances, we clearly and convincingly find the record supports the conclusion that consecutive sentences were necessary to protect the public or to punish Swayne for his conduct. Moreover, we clearly and convincingly find the record supports the conclusion that consecutive sentences are not disproportionate to the seriousness of Swyane‘s conduct and the danger he posed to the public. Accordingly, we overrule the third assigned error.
V. Summary
{¶48} We overrule the first, seсond and third assignments of error. We sustain the fourth assignment of error and remand for resentencing on the issue of an IPP.
JUDGMENT AFFIRMED IN PART, REVERSED IN PART, AND CAUSE REMANDED.
It is ordered that the JUDGMENT IS AFFIRMED IN PART, REVERSED IN PART and that the CAUSE IS REMANDED. Appellant and Appellee shall split the costs.
The Court finds there were reasonable grounds for this appeal.
It is ordered that a special mandate issue out of this Court directing the Adams 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 pendenсy 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.
Abele, J. & Hoover, J.: Concur in Judgment and Opinion.
For the Court
BY: ____________________________
William H. Harsha, 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.