Fredrick L. Magee v. State of Indiana (mem. dec.)

• Court: Indiana Court of Appeals
• Decided: September 28, 2018
• Docket: 18A-CR-747
• Status: Published

Opinion

MEMORANDUM DECISION Pursuant to Ind. Appellate Rule 65(D), FILED this Memorandum Decision shall not be regarded as precedent or cited before any Sep 28 2018, 11:02 am

court except for the purpose of establishing CLERK Indiana Supreme Court the defense of res judicata, collateral Court of Appeals and Tax Court estoppel, or the law of the case.

ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANT ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEE Mark A. Thoma Curtis T. Hill, Jr. Leonard Hammond Thoma & Terrill Attorney General of Indiana Fort Wayne, Indiana J. T. Whitehead Deputy Attorney General Indianapolis, Indiana

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF INDIANA

Fredrick L. Magee, September 28, 2018 Appellant-Defendant, Court of Appeals Case No. 18A-CR-747 v. Appeal from the Allen Superior Court State of Indiana, The Honorable John F. Surbeck, Appellee-Plaintiff. Jr., Judge Trial Court Cause No. 02D06-1708-F3-46

Riley, Judge.

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 18A-CR-747 | September 28, 2018 Page 1 of 10 STATEMENT OF THE CASE [1] Appellant-Defendant, Fredrick L. Magee (Magee), appeals his conviction for

Count I, rape, a Level 3 felony, Ind. Code § 35-42-4-1; Count II, sexual battery,

a Level 6 felony, I.C. § 35-42-4-8; Count III, strangulation, a Level 6 felony,

I.C. § 35-42-2-9; and Count IV, battery, a Class A misdemeanor, I.C. § 35-42-2-

1.

[2] We affirm.

ISSUES [3] Magee raises two issues on appeal, which we restate as the following three

issues:

(1) Whether the trial court properly imposed a consecutive sentence;

(2) Whether the trial court abused its discretion in failing to consider certain

mitigating circumstances during sentencing; and

(3) Whether Magee’s sentence is inappropriate in light of the nature of the

offense and his character.

FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY [4] On July 2, 2017, T.J. was living on Decatur Road, in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

T.J. had met Magee seven years ago and they had been in an “on and off”

relationship. (Transcript p. 170). When she finished her shift at a local bar in

the early morning of July 2, 2017, T.J. and Magee met at T.J.’s apartment

where they were planning to have a couple of beers and to smoke some

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 18A-CR-747 | September 28, 2018 Page 2 of 10 marijuana. Around 6:00 a.m., after having drank a couple of beers, Magee

asked T.J. if she had Snapchat on her phone. T.J. denied having the app and

showed Magee her phone. Magee moved from the chair where he had been

sitting to the bed where T.J. was laying in an effort “to grab the phone because

he thought [T.J.] was trying to hide something.” (Tr. p. 177). While they were

fighting over T.J.’s phone, Magee became angry and started choking T.J. from

behind, telling her she was“gonna die tonight.” (Tr. p. 180). T.J. struggled and

unsuccessfully attempted to stand up. Instead, she was pushed up against the

bedside table, on her knees, while Magee placed his forearm around her neck

until he cut off her breathing. T.J. urinated and defecated all over herself and

then passed out.

[5] When T.J. regained consciousness, she was laying on her stomach and Magee

was having anal sex with her. Magee finished, rolled over, and covered himself

up. As T.J. became more fully aware of what was going on, she managed to

separate herself from Magee and go into the bathroom. When she looked into

the mirror, she noticed that she had a black eye, a “bite mark in her eye,” a bite

on her ear, bruises on her neck, and blood in her hair. (Tr. p. 185). When she

returned to the bedroom, she took her phone, went into the kitchen where she

grabbed a knife to defend herself, and proceeded to call 911. While T.J. was on

the phone with 911, Magee came “running out the room charging T.J.” (Tr. p.

188). Magee eventually left the apartment and police officers arrived at T.J.’s

apartment shortly thereafter.

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 18A-CR-747 | September 28, 2018 Page 3 of 10 [6] On August 28, 2017, the State filed an Information, charging Magee with

Count I, rape, a Level 3 felony; Count II, sexual battery, a Level 6 felony;

Count III, strangulation, a Level 6 felony; and Count IV, battery, a Class A

misdemeanor. On January 30 through January 31, 2018, the trial court

conducted a jury trial. At the close of the evidence, Magee was found guilty as

charged. On March 2, 2018, during the sentencing hearing, Magee was

sentenced to fourteen years executed on Count I and two years executed on

Count III. The trial court merged Counts I and II, as well as Counts III and IV,

and ordered the sentences to run consecutively.

[7] Magee now appeals. Additional facts will be provided if necessary.

DISCUSSION AND DECISION I. Consecutive Sentence

[8] Magee first contends that the trial court abused its discretion in sentencing him

to consecutive sentences because both crimes occurred during a single episode

of criminal conduct.

[9] In general, a trial court cannot order consecutive sentences in the absence of

express statutory authority. Reed v. State, 856 N.E.2d 1189, 1199 (Ind. 2006).

“‘A sentence that is contrary to or violative of a penalty mandated by statute is

illegal in the sense that is without statutory authorization.’” Id. (quoting Rhodes

v. State, 698 N.E.2d 304, 307 (Ind. 1998)). Indiana Code section 35-50-1-2(c)(2)

provides that except for statutory crimes of violence, “the total of the

consecutive crimes of imprisonment . . . to which the defendant is sentenced for Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 18A-CR-747 | September 28, 2018 Page 4 of 10 felony convictions arising out of an episode of criminal conduct shall not

exceed the advisory sentence for a felony which is one (1) class of felony higher

than the most serious of the felonies for which the person has been convicted.”

The term “‘episode of criminal conduct’ means offenses or a series of offenses

that are closely related in time, place, and circumstance.” I.C. § 35-50-1-2(b).

In determining whether multiple offenses constitute an episode of criminal conduct, the focus is on the timing of the offenses and the simultaneous and contemporaneous nature, if any, of the crimes. Additional guidance on the question can be obtained by considering whether the alleged conduct was so closely related in time, place, and circumstance that a complete account of one charge cannot be related without referring to the details of the other charge.

Williams v. State, 891 N.E.2d 621, 631 (Ind. Ct. App. 2008). “Whether certain

offenses constitute a single episode of criminal conduct is a fact-sensitive

inquiry to be determined by the trial court.” Schlichter v. State, 779 N.E.2d 1155,

1157 (Ind. 2002). The decision to impose consecutive sentences lies within the

discretion of the trial court. Gilliam v. State, 901 N.E.2d 72, 74 (Ind. Ct. App.

2009).

[10] While it is undisputed that the rape and strangulation occurred close in time,

we are not persuaded that the two crimes are simultaneous or contemporaneous

in nature to render them a single episode. Looking at the circumstances

surrounding the charges, we note that the strangulation occurred out of a

struggle over a phone. The attack was violent but not sexual in nature. The

rape charge, however, commenced after Magee stopped strangling T.J. and she

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 18A-CR-747 | September 28, 2018 Page 5 of 10 had passed out. While she regained consciousness, Magee anally penetrated

her. The second attack was both violent and sexual in nature, and commenced

after Magee had time to decide to remain with an unconscious victim and to

perpetrate an entirely new second offense while she regained consciousness.

[11] Furthermore, even if the two charges constitute a single episode of criminal

conduct, the aggregate sentence does not exceed the statutory provision. See

I.C. § 35-50-1-2(c). Magee’s highest charge is a Level 3 felony. Thus, his

maximum sentence shall not exceed the advisory sentence for a Level 2 felony,

which is seventeen and one-half years. See I.C. § 35-50-2-4.5. Here, the trial

court’s imposed aggregate sentence is sixteen years. Accordingly, we find that

the trial court did not abuse its discretion in imposing a consecutive sentence.

II. Mitigating Circumstances

[12] Next, Magee claims that the trial court abused its discretion when it failed to

identify significant mitigating circumstances which were clearly supported by

the record. Sentencing decisions “rest within the sound discretion of the trial

court and are reviewed on appeal only for an abuse of discretion.” Anglemyer v.

State, 868 N.E.2d 482, 490 (Ind. 2007), clarified on reh’g, 875 N.E.2d 218 (Ind.

2007). “An abuse of discretion occurs if the decision is clearly against the logic

and effect of the facts and circumstances before the court, or the reasonable,

probable, and actual deductions to be drawn therefrom.” Id. A trial court may

abuse its discretion by failing to enter a sentencing statement, entering findings

of aggravating and mitigating facts unsupported by the record, omitting factors

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 18A-CR-747 | September 28, 2018 Page 6 of 10 clearly supported by the record and advanced for consideration, or giving

reasons that are improper as a matter of law. Id. at 490-91. However, a trial

court has no obligation to properly weigh these factors, and the weight given to

such factors is no longer subject to appellate review. Id. at 491. “Under those

circumstances, remand for resentencing may be the appropriate remedy if we

cannot say with confidence that the trial court would have imposed the same

sentence had it properly considered reasons that enjoy support in the record.”

Id.

[13] Magee argues that the trial court failed to identify and consider the significant

mitigating factors of community and familial support offered on Magee’s

behalf; his desire to continue his education by going to college; and the

hardship imposed on his two dependent children. During the sentencing

hearing, the trial court considered the letters provided on behalf of Magee but

rejected these statements as mitigators. Likewise, the Pre-Sentence

Investigation (PSI) indicates Magee’s family and social support level to be

“low.” (Appellant’s App. Vol. III, p. 10). At no point did Magee present any

witnesses who testified on his behalf during the sentencing hearing. While

Magee did not raise his intention during the hearing to continue his education

by attending college, we note that the PSI makes an almost cursory mention of

Magee listing “attending college as future educational goals.” (Appellant’s

App. Vol. III, p. 10). With respect to the hardship Magee’s incarceration

imposed on his two minor children, we hasten to point out that the children

reside with their mother and do not receive any financial support from Magee.

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 18A-CR-747 | September 28, 2018 Page 7 of 10 Accordingly, while all of the proposed mitigating circumstances are briefly

mentioned in the record, we conclude that Magee failed to establish that these

were significant. Therefore, we find no abuse of discretion.

III. Appropriateness of Sentence

[14] Magee also argues that his sentence is inappropriate in light of his character and

the nature of the offenses. The authority granted to this court by Article 7, § 6

of the Indiana Constitution permitting appellate review and revision of criminal

sentences is implemented through Appellate Rule 7(B), which provides: “The

[c]ourt may revise a sentence authorized by statute if, after due consideration of

the trial court’s decision, the [c]ourt finds that the sentence is inappropriate in

light of the nature of the offense and the character of the offender.” In

performing our review, we assess “the culpability of the defendant, the severity

of the crime, the damage done to others, and myriad of other factors that come

to light in a given case.” Cardwell v. State, 895 N.E.2d 1219, 1224 (Ind. 2008).

The principal role of such review is to attempt to leaven the outliers. Id. at

1225. A defendant “must persuade the appellate court that his or her sentence

has met the inappropriateness standard of review.” Angelmyer, 868 N.E.2d at

494.

[15] The trial court sentenced Magee to fourteen years executed on a Level 3 felony

and two years executed on a Level 6 felony. A Level 3 felony carries with it a

“fixed term of between six (6) and twenty (20) years, with the advisory sentence

being ten (10) years;” while a Level 6 felony is punishable by “a fixed term of

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 18A-CR-747 | September 28, 2018 Page 8 of 10 between six (6) months and two and one-half (2 ½) years, with the advisory

sentence being one (1) year.” See I.C. §§ 35-50-2-5; -7. Accordingly, the trial

court imposed an aggravated sentence on each offense.

[16] Turning to the nature of the offenses, we note that Magee inflicted multiple

injuries on T.J. and threatened her with her life during the commission of two

separate offenses. A trivial fight over a phone led to strangulation and T.J.

losing consciousness. When she regained consciousness, Magee was anally

penetrating her, leaving her bloodied from the assault.

[17] With respect to Magee’s character, thirty-eight-year-old Magee has an extensive

history of criminal behavior. As the trial court observed during the sentencing

hearing, there is not a particular calendar year during his adult life that Magee

was not locked up or has not committed a crime. As an adult, Magee

accumulated fifteen prior misdemeanor convictions and two prior felony

convictions. He has been convicted of operating while intoxicated four times,

operating while suspended four times, false informing twice, public intoxication

twice, battery resulting in bodily injury twice, domestic battery, possession of

marijuana, and escape. Magee has had his probation revoked once, his

probation modified once, his home detention placement revoked once, and his

suspended sentence revoked four times. At the time of sentencing in the current

cause, Magee also had charges pending in Allen County.

[18] Even though Magee claimed during sentencing that he “feel[s] like this system

has failed [him], and [he] still maintain[s] [his] innocence,” Magee failed to take

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 18A-CR-747 | September 28, 2018 Page 9 of 10 advantage of the opportunities offered to him by the system previously. (Sent.

Tr. p. 9). Moreover, Magee claims that “anything that [he has] done [he has]

accepted it and [] owned up to it,” yet at the same time he painted T.J. as a liar

at the sentencing hearing and assured the trial court that he was disappointed

that she could “get away with accusing somebody over [] something that they

say.” (Sent. Tr. p. 9). We conclude that the trial court did not impose an

inappropriate sentence under Indiana Appellate Rule 7(B), and Magee’s

sentence does not warrant appellate revision. Therefore, we decline to disturb

the sentence imposed by the trial court.

CONCLUSION [19] Based on the foregoing, we hold that the trial court did not abuse its discretion

by (1) imposing consecutive sentences; and (2) sentencing Magee to an

aggregate sentence of sixteen years.

[20] Affirmed.

[21] Vaidik, C. J. and Kirsch, J. concur

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 18A-CR-747 | September 28, 2018 Page 10 of 10