STATE OF OHIO, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. MARSHALL WILLIAMS, Defendant-Appellant.
No. 108333
COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO EIGHTH APPELLATE DISTRICT COUNTY OF CUYAHOGA
RELEASED AND JOURNALIZED: April 9, 2020
[Cite as State v. Williams, 2020-Ohio-1378.]
Criminal Appeal from the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas Case No. CR-18-634683-A
JUDGMENT: AFFIRMED
Appearances:
Michael C. O‘Malley, Cuyahoga County Prosecuting Attorney, and Marc D. Bullard, and Frank Romeo Zeleznikar, Assistant Prosecuting Attorneys, for appellee.
Mark A. Stanton, Cuyahoga County Public Defender, and David M. King, Assistant Public Defender, for appellant.
MARY EILEEN KILBANE, J.:
{¶ 1} Defendant-appellant, Marshall Williams (“Mr. Williams”), appeals his guilty plea and conviction. For the reasons that follow, we affirm.
I. FACTS
{¶ 3} Mr. Williams was charged with the following: trafficking in violation of
{¶ 4} Ms. Williams was indicted on Count 6 and two other charges: permitting drug abuse in violation of
{¶ 5} On December 27, 2018, Mr. and Ms. Williams initially pled not guilty to the charges. Thereafter, they agreed to a joint plea deal. At the plea hearing on January 23, 2019, Mr. Williams withdrew his not guilty plea and pled guilty to an amended Count 1 and the as-indicted Count 4. As amended, Count 1 included the forfeiture specifications, but the weight of the drug was reduced from “equals or
{¶ 6} Ms. Williams also entered a guilty plea at the same hearing on January 23, 2019, after previously pleading not guilty on December 27, 2018. She pled guilty to possessing criminal tools in violation of
{¶ 7} The trial court held a group-plea hearing at which five defendants were present, two of which were Mr. and Ms. Williams. The other three defendants were present for unrelated cases. The trial court instructed the defendants collectively as follows at the plea hearing:
I‘m going to be asking a series of questions. Each defendant must answer in a loud, clear voice. If you do not have a loud, clear voice, you can use the microphone that‘s in front of you. If I have to ask you to speak up or to speak more clearly, I‘m going to take that as a sign of disrespect to this court, which I will consider at a later time.
{¶ 8} The court then instructed the defendants to answer in a particular order and further explained:
The court reporter has to take this down in an organized fashion, and he can only take one voice at a time. So wait for the person before you to finish their answer. I may ask a follow-up question of that person. Wait till we are done until it goes to you, okay?
COURT: Now, were the forfeitures, pleas also done of your own free will and desire, Mr. Williams?
MR. WILLIAMS: Yes.
COURT: First, Mr. Ogletree?
{¶ 10} Mr. Ogletree was another defendant in an unrelated case at the plea hearing who was to answer first according to the trial court‘s initial instructions.
{¶ 11} On February 27, 2019, a month after the plea hearing, the trial court sentenced Mr. and Ms. Williams. They each addressed the court at the sentencing hearing. Ms. Williams apologized to the court. Mr. Williams stated that he accepted responsibility for his actions, but requested leniency after explaining that he had a difficult childhood and that he was only trying to raise money to pay for surgeries Ms. Williams required in addition to other household and family expenses. He also stated: “I really – – I‘m really truly glad, you know, this happened because I was looking for a way out. * * * I just want to be right. I just want to make things right.”
{¶ 12} In response, the trial court reviewed Mr. Williams‘s record and estimated that he had made at least 700 drug sales to members of his community, noting that he had been selling drugs since as early as 2000. The court further underscored the gravity of Mr. Williams‘s actions in the following exchanges:
COURT: Okay. But you know, you know it‘s bad enough that you don‘t give it to your kids.
MR. WILLIAMS: Yes, ma‘am.
COURT: That‘s a monster in my book, you know? You say I didn‘t know it was so bad. Of course I wouldn‘t believe that at this stage. But you got 700 sales, and I really doubt there were only two people buying 700 times.
* * *
COURT: Sir, do you think it would be okay if I went out and sold drugs to your kids and your family members so that I could buy my kids whatever they want?
MR. WILLIAMS: No, ma‘am, that is not – –
COURT: That is what you did.
{¶ 13} The court sentenced Mr. Williams to nine years on Count 1 and eighteen months on Count 4 to be served concurrently. The court also imposed the mandatory minimum fine of $10,000 in connection with Count 1 and ordered the forfeiture of two vehicles, two digital scales, eight cell phones, and $14,630. In addition, the court ordered five years of mandatory postrelease control. Ms. Williams was sentenced to five years of probation.
{¶ 14} The same counsel jointly represented Mr. Williams and Ms. Williams at the plea hearing and at the sentencing. This appeal follows.
{¶ 15} Mr. Williams asserts the following four assignments of error:
Assignment of Error One
Mr. Marshall Williams was denied due process when the trial court imposed a vindictive sentence that was not supported by the record in violation of
R.C. 2929.11 ,2929.12 , theFifth ,Sixth andFourteenth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution andArticle I Section 10 of the Ohio Constitution andOhio Crim.R. 32 .
The trial court erred when it did not determine that the defendant understood the nature of the offenses, the effects of the plea, and that he was waiving certain constitutionally guaranteed trial rights by pleading guilty in violation of the
Fifth ,Sixth andFourteenth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution andArticle I Section 10 of the Ohio Constitution andOhio Crim.R. 11 .
Assignment of Error Three
The accused was denied due process and his right to counsel in violation of
U.S. Constitution Amendments V ,VI , andXIV ; andOhio Constitution Art. I, Section 10 .
Assignment of Error Four
Mr. Marshall Williams was denied effective assistance of counsel in violation of the
Sixth andFourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution andArticle 1, Section 10 of the Ohio Constitution when his attorney failed to file an indigency affidavit to waive the mandatory fine and when counsel continued to represent codefendants despite a clear conflict.
{¶ 16} Each of appellant‘s assignments of error are overruled.
II. LAW AND ANALYSIS
A. The sentence was not vindictive.
{¶ 17} Mr. Williams argues in his first assignment of error that he was denied due process because his sentence was vindictive. Mr. Williams contends that the trial court imposed a 9-year sentence as punishment for his answering out of turn at the plea hearing a month earlier. He further contends that the 9-year sentence was vindictive because: the sentencing range for his crimes was 3 to 11 years; the prosecution did not request a particular sentence; and Mr. Williams argued for leniency, stating that he planned to use the money obtained in connection with his crimes to pay for surgery for Ms. Williams.
{¶ 19} Here, the record does not clearly and convincingly demonstrate that the trial court based its sentence on actual vindictiveness. To the contrary, before imposing a 9-year sentence instead of the maximum 11, the trial court properly considered Mr. Williams‘s prior record, the impact of his crimes on the community, his knowledge regarding the perils of drug use, and his expressed remorse. See
{¶ 20} Mr. Williams asserts that the trial court‘s admonition to Mr. Williams and the other defendants to speak loudly, clearly, and one at a time during the plea hearing reveals actual vindictiveness because the court also warned that if anyone failed to speak loudly, clearly, and one at a time, the court would “take that as a sign of disrespect to this court, which I will consider at a later time.” The record does not support this theory. The court did not admonish Mr. Williams for answering before
{¶ 21} During sentencing, the trial court reviewed Mr. Williams‘s criminal record. It cited three prior incidents while Mr. Williams was a juvenile and numerous incidents thereafter. The trial court also addressed Mr. Williams‘s request for leniency based on his apparent intention to use money from drug sales to pay for his wife‘s surgeries and noted that CareSource Health Insurance, not Mr. Williams, would pay for the surgeries. The court also considered the number of sales Mr. Williams had made, calculating as many as 700, and the harm, including possible deaths, he caused to his customers and the community. Although the trial court could have imposed an 11-year sentence and $20,000 fine for the amended Count 1, it imposed a lesser 9-year sentence and the mandatory minimum $10,000 fine.
{¶ 22} Ms. Williams, who was charged with fewer offenses, received a sentence of five years’ probation. That Ms. Williams received a lesser sentence does not demonstrate vindictiveness towards Mr. Williams, but merely reflects Ms. Williams‘s lesser-involvement in the charged crimes. Whereas Ms. Williams faced three charges and pled guilty to one, Mr. Williams faced six charges and pled guilty to two, one of which carried a mandatory prison sentence and fine. Mr. Williams likely would have faced a significantly longer sentence had he not agreed to the plea
{¶ 23} Accordingly, the first assignment of error is overruled.
B. The trial court complied with Crim.R. 11.
{¶ 24} In his second assignment of error, Mr. Williams argues that the trial court‘s procedure at the plea hearing was insufficient to assure that Mr. Williams was making his plea knowingly, intelligently, and voluntarily because the court used a group-plea hearing. We disagree.
{¶ 25} A defendant‘s plea must be entered knowingly, intelligently, and voluntarily for the plea to be constitutional under the United States and Ohio Constitutions. State v. Engle, 74 Ohio St.3d 525, 527, 1996-Ohio-179, 660 N.E.2d 450. “
{¶ 26} We review whether the trial court complied with
{¶ 27}
In felony cases the court may refuse to accept a plea of guilty or a plea of no contest, and shall not accept a plea of guilty or no contest without first addressing the defendant personally and doing all of the following:
(a) Determining that the defendant is making the plea voluntarily, with understanding of the nature of the charges and of the maximum penalty involved, and if applicable, that the defendant is not eligible for probation or for the imposition of community control sanctions at the sentencing hearing.
(b) Informing the defendant of and determining that the defendant understands the effect of the plea of guilty or no contest, and that the court, upon acceptance of the plea, may proceed with judgment and sentence.
(c) Informing the defendant and determining that the defendant understands that by the plea the defendant is waiving the rights to jury trial, to confront witnesses against him or her, to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in the defendant‘s favor, and to require the state to prove the defendant‘s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at a trial at which the defendant cannot be compelled to testify against himself or herself.
{¶ 28} “Trial courts must strictly comply with the provisions concerning the constitutional rights set forth in
{¶ 30} Based on a review of the record, we find the totality of the circumstances demonstrates that the trial court complied with all aspects of
{¶ 31} Because the record demonstrates that Mr. Williams‘s plea was knowingly, intelligently, and voluntarily entered, his second assignment of error is overruled.
C. The trial court had no duty to inquire about the dual representation and the record does not reveal an actual conflict adversely affected counsel‘s performance.
{¶ 32} Mr. Williams argues in his third assignment of error that he was denied due process and his right to counsel. He contends that his conviction should be vacated because the trial court failed to ensure that his counsel, who also represented Ms. Williams, explained any potential conflict of interest before allowing the matter to proceed.
{¶ 34} First, the record does not indicate any special circumstances by which the trial court knew or reasonably should have known that a particular conflict existed of which it had a duty to inquire. “Where a trial court knows or reasonably should know of an attorney‘s possible conflict of interest in the representation of a person charged with a crime, the trial court has an affirmative duty to inquire whether a conflict of interest actually exists.” State v. Gillard, 64 Ohio St.3d 304, 311, 1992-Ohio-48, 595 N.E.2d 878. Because the attorney representing multiple defendants is in the best position to determine whether a conflict of interest exists or might develop, it is reasonable for a trial court to assume, in the absence of special circumstances, that there is no conflict or that the defendants knowingly accepted any risk of conflict. State v. Ermekeil, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga Nos. 63703 and 63704, 1993 Ohio App. LEXIS 4433, 8 (Sept. 16, 1993), citing Cuyler v. Sullivan, 446 U.S. 335, 347, 100 S.Ct. 1708, 64 L.Ed.2d 333 (1980).
{¶ 36} Neither Mr. Williams nor Ms. Williams raised any objections or reservations to the dual representation. Instead, they each separately expressed their understanding about their cases and satisfaction with their counsel to the trial court at the plea hearing.
{¶ 37} Moreover, the joint plea deal would not have given the trial court reason to know of a particular conflict because the plea benefitted both Mr. and Ms. Williams. Without the plea deal, Mr. Williams faced a mandatory minimum sentence of 11 years on Count 1 and the potential for a longer sentence based on the four counts against him that the plea deal nolled. With the plea deal, the amended Count 1 allowed for a discretionary sentence between 3 and 11 years. Mr. Williams ultimately received a lesser sentence than the mandatory minimum sentence he faced without the plea deal.
{¶ 39} However, “[w]e note that the
{¶ 40} Second, we do not find that an actual conflict occurred that adversely affected counsel‘s ability to represent Mr. Williams. “To establish an actual conflict, a defendant must show: (1) the existence of some plausible alternative defense strategy or tactic that might have been pursued and (2) that the alternative defense was inherently in conflict with or not undertaken due to the attorney‘s other loyalties
{¶ 41} Mr. Williams contends that he and Ms. Williams required separate counsel because they faced different charges that would have necessitated different and “potentially conflicted” legal defenses, strategies, and tactics. However, Mr. Williams‘s plea deal was a package plea deal that benefitted both him and Ms. Williams and the record does not disclose any demonstration of an actual conflict of interest that adversely affected his counsel‘s performance. Harris, 2020-Ohio-805 at ¶ 19 (trial court had no duty to inquire further about conflict of interest where defendant failed to direct appellate court to a specific instance in the record demonstrating an actual conflict).
{¶ 42} Accordingly, appellant‘s third assignment of error is overruled.
D. Mr. Williams was not deprived of effective assistance of counsel.
{¶ 43} In his fourth assignment of error, Mr. Williams argues that counsel was ineffective in two ways. He first contends counsel was ineffective for failing to file an indigency affidavit to seek waiver of the mandatory fine associated with Count 1. Second, Mr. Williams contends counsel was ineffective for jointly representing him and Ms. Williams.
{¶ 44} Our review of counsel‘s performance is highly deferential. State v. Korecky, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 108328, 2020-Ohio-797, ¶ 20, citing Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 104 S.Ct. 2052, 80 L.Ed.2d 674 (1984). Because we presume licensed attorneys are competent, the party claiming ineffective assistance
{¶ 45} A defendant who pleads guilty waives the right to claim prejudice by ineffective assistance of counsel, except to the extent that the ineffective assistance of counsel caused the plea to be less than knowing, intelligent, and voluntary. Korecky at ¶ 19. After entering a guilty plea, a defendant can only show prejudice by demonstrating a “reasonable probability that, but for counsel‘s deficient performance, he would not have pleaded guilty and would have insisted on going to trial.” Id. at ¶ 20.
{¶ 46} Mr. Williams does not argue or present any evidence that he would not have pled guilty but for counsel‘s actions and because the record does not support such a conclusion, we overrule this assignment of error. See Univ. Hts. v. Zaccaro-Hoffman, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 108575, 2020-Ohio-113, ¶ 9 (no ineffective assistance of counsel where appellant-defendant failed to demonstrate that but-for counsel‘s performance, she would not have pled no contest).
{¶ 47} As discussed, the trial court complied with
{¶ 48} Accordingly, Mr. Williams‘s fourth assignment of error is overruled.
{¶ 49} Judgment affirmed.
It is ordered that 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 is terminated. Case remanded to the trial court for execution of sentence.
A certified copy of this entry shall constitute the mandate pursuant to Rule 27 of the Rules of Appellate Procedure.
MARY EILEEN KILBANE, JUDGE
EILEEN T. GALLAGHER, A.J., and
ANITA LASTER MAYS, J., CONCUR