RENDERED: MAY 21, 2021; 10:00 A.M. NOT TO BE PUBLISHED
Commonwealth of Kentucky Court of Appeals
NO. 2020-CA-0497-MR
SHAUN FRY APPELLANT
APPEAL FROM MCLEAN CIRCUIT COURT v. HONORABLE BRIAN WIGGINS, JUDGE ACTION NO. 14-CR-00008
COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY APPELLEE
OPINION AFFIRMING
** ** ** ** **
BEFORE: ACREE, CALDWELL, AND K. THOMPSON, JUDGES.
ACREE, JUDGE: Shaun Fry appeals the McLean Circuit Court’s April 22, 2020
order revoking his probation. We affirm.
BACKGROUND
On January 13, 2014, a grand jury indicted Fry on charges of second-
degree criminal possession of a forged instrument and being a first-degree
persistent felony offender. Following indictment, the Commonwealth made Fry an offer for a plea of guilty, which Fry accepted. His sentence would be one to five
years, enhanced to five to ten years to run consecutively with any pending change;
however, the Commonwealth would not oppose any motion for shock probation
after Fry served 150 days. The circuit court entered its final judgment to that effect
on February 26, 2014.
On August 5, 2014, the circuit court entered an order granting Fry’s
motion for shock probation.1 The order provided for Fry’s immediate release and
for him to be placed on probation for five years from the date of the release. Fry
was not released until December 10, 2014.2 Fry’s probation officer conducted
administrative supervision.
Things changed four years later when Fry was discovered to have
used methamphetamine. In lieu of probation revocation, graduated sanctions were
put in place and the level of Fry’s probation supervision increased from
administrative to moderate.
1 The record on appeal does not include this motion. It is the appellant’s responsibility to present a “complete record” before this Court on appeal. Steel Technologies, Inc. v. Congleton, 234 S.W.3d 920, 926 (Ky. 2007). Further, “[i]t has long been held that, when the complete record is not before the appellate court, that court must assume that the omitted record supports the decision of the trial court.” Commonwealth v. Thompson, 697 S.W.2d 143, 145 (Ky. 1985). Therefore, we must assume the circuit court’s order was correct in all its pertinent representations. 2 It is unknown why it took an additional five months to release Fry after issuance of the circuit court’s order.
-2- On June 4, 2019, Fry was arrested and charged with burglarizing his
wife’s apartment and assaulting her and her boyfriend.3 The Commonwealth
moved to revoke Fry’s probation on June 24, 2019. The parties appeared before
the circuit court July 22, 2019. By then, the complaining witnesses to the June 4,
2019 alleged felonies recanted and the Commonwealth declined to prosecute.
Fry admitted under oath that he violated his probation by using
methamphetamines. Based on the totality of the evidence, Fry and the
Commonwealth agreed to a graduated sanction in lieu of probation revocation.
The court entered an order reflecting that agreement. Fry “agreed to serve sixty
(60) days, complete an extended rehabilitation program without any violation, and
extending his probation for one more year until August 7, 2020.” (Fry’s Motion to
Dismiss, R. at 77). The court order is signed by the judge, Commonwealth, and
Fry’s attorney. Fry began rehab at the approved CenterPoint drug rehabilitation
facility.
3 The record reveals the scene of the alleged crimes was the residence of Fry’s estranged wife. Police were called to the scene by Jacob Miller, who informed police that Fry “came to the residence and started a fight with his wife, Lauren Fry, and her boyfriend, Brandon Carter. . . . Officers then met Shaun Fry coming out of the front door, with blood on his person, and he was immediately detained.” Fry’s wife suffered “a cut to her left arm” and Carter had locked himself in the bedroom. After being Mirandized, Fry volunteered his version of events, that “he came to the residence to bring Lauren some rent money . . . discovered Lauren in bed with Brandon sitting up, using drugs. . . . [T]he two began to fight and he struck Brandon in the face with his fists. . . . Lauren then came into the bedroom with a large knife . . . swung at him with the knife and missed, but cut herself on the arm.” (Record (R.) at 37).
-3- On February 3, 2020, Fry’s probation officer “was notified by
CenterPoint staff that Mr. Fry was being terminated [from its rehabilitation
program] for testing positive for Methamphetimines.” (Violation of Supervision
Report, R. at 68). The Commonwealth filed another motion to revoke Fry’s
probation. Fry responded by filing a motion to dismiss the Commonwealth’s
motion because the court order extending his probation was void ab initio for lack
of jurisdiction. At the hearing, the court denied Fry’s motion because Fry
knowingly and voluntarily agreed, on the record, to an extension of probation.
This appeal followed.
STANDARD OF REVIEW
Jurisdiction is a question of law, and our review is de novo. Caesars
Riverboat Casino, LLC v. Beach, 336 S.W.3d 51, 54 (Ky. 2011) (citing
Appalachian Regional Healthcare, Inc. v. Coleman, 239 S.W.3d 49, 53-54 (Ky.
2007)). Furthermore, “[s]tatutory interpretation raises pure questions of law, so
our review is de novo, meaning we afford no deference to the decisions below.”
Department of Revenue, Finance and Admin. Cabinet v. Cox Interior, Inc., 400
S.W.3d 240, 242 (Ky. 2013) (citation omitted).
ANALYSIS
Fry argues the circuit court erred by: (1) entering the order of shock
probation without jurisdiction; (2) imposing a probation term longer than five years
-4- in violation of KRS4 533.020(4); and (3) revoking his probation after he
successfully completed graduated sanctions. These arguments lack sufficient merit
to disturb the circuit court’s order.
Fry claims the circuit court’s orders regarding his probation are void
because the court was without jurisdiction when it originally placed him on shock
probation. However, Fry waived this argument.
Recently, the Supreme Court of Kentucky held that jurisdiction for
shock probation can be waived. Martin v. Commonwealth, 576 S.W.3d 120, 121
(Ky. 2019). This is because shock probation requires a court to have particular-
case jurisdiction. “A court’s power to affect its own judgment [constitutes]
jurisdiction over a particular case. Such questions go more accurately to the
propriety of the exercise of jurisdiction rather than to the existence of jurisdiction.”
Commonwealth v. Steadman, 411 S.W.3d 717, 722-23 (Ky. 2013).
In Martin, the Commonwealth appealed the trial court’s grant of
shock probation, arguing the trial court lacked jurisdiction to do so. But the
Commonwealth failed to present that challenge to the trial court. The Supreme
Court stated, “‘[P]articular-case jurisdiction is subject to waiver.’ Because the
Commonwealth ‘did not raise th[is] jurisdictional issue until appeal[, the
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RENDERED: MAY 21, 2021; 10:00 A.M. NOT TO BE PUBLISHED
Commonwealth of Kentucky Court of Appeals
NO. 2020-CA-0497-MR
SHAUN FRY APPELLANT
APPEAL FROM MCLEAN CIRCUIT COURT v. HONORABLE BRIAN WIGGINS, JUDGE ACTION NO. 14-CR-00008
COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY APPELLEE
OPINION AFFIRMING
** ** ** ** **
BEFORE: ACREE, CALDWELL, AND K. THOMPSON, JUDGES.
ACREE, JUDGE: Shaun Fry appeals the McLean Circuit Court’s April 22, 2020
order revoking his probation. We affirm.
BACKGROUND
On January 13, 2014, a grand jury indicted Fry on charges of second-
degree criminal possession of a forged instrument and being a first-degree
persistent felony offender. Following indictment, the Commonwealth made Fry an offer for a plea of guilty, which Fry accepted. His sentence would be one to five
years, enhanced to five to ten years to run consecutively with any pending change;
however, the Commonwealth would not oppose any motion for shock probation
after Fry served 150 days. The circuit court entered its final judgment to that effect
on February 26, 2014.
On August 5, 2014, the circuit court entered an order granting Fry’s
motion for shock probation.1 The order provided for Fry’s immediate release and
for him to be placed on probation for five years from the date of the release. Fry
was not released until December 10, 2014.2 Fry’s probation officer conducted
administrative supervision.
Things changed four years later when Fry was discovered to have
used methamphetamine. In lieu of probation revocation, graduated sanctions were
put in place and the level of Fry’s probation supervision increased from
administrative to moderate.
1 The record on appeal does not include this motion. It is the appellant’s responsibility to present a “complete record” before this Court on appeal. Steel Technologies, Inc. v. Congleton, 234 S.W.3d 920, 926 (Ky. 2007). Further, “[i]t has long been held that, when the complete record is not before the appellate court, that court must assume that the omitted record supports the decision of the trial court.” Commonwealth v. Thompson, 697 S.W.2d 143, 145 (Ky. 1985). Therefore, we must assume the circuit court’s order was correct in all its pertinent representations. 2 It is unknown why it took an additional five months to release Fry after issuance of the circuit court’s order.
-2- On June 4, 2019, Fry was arrested and charged with burglarizing his
wife’s apartment and assaulting her and her boyfriend.3 The Commonwealth
moved to revoke Fry’s probation on June 24, 2019. The parties appeared before
the circuit court July 22, 2019. By then, the complaining witnesses to the June 4,
2019 alleged felonies recanted and the Commonwealth declined to prosecute.
Fry admitted under oath that he violated his probation by using
methamphetamines. Based on the totality of the evidence, Fry and the
Commonwealth agreed to a graduated sanction in lieu of probation revocation.
The court entered an order reflecting that agreement. Fry “agreed to serve sixty
(60) days, complete an extended rehabilitation program without any violation, and
extending his probation for one more year until August 7, 2020.” (Fry’s Motion to
Dismiss, R. at 77). The court order is signed by the judge, Commonwealth, and
Fry’s attorney. Fry began rehab at the approved CenterPoint drug rehabilitation
facility.
3 The record reveals the scene of the alleged crimes was the residence of Fry’s estranged wife. Police were called to the scene by Jacob Miller, who informed police that Fry “came to the residence and started a fight with his wife, Lauren Fry, and her boyfriend, Brandon Carter. . . . Officers then met Shaun Fry coming out of the front door, with blood on his person, and he was immediately detained.” Fry’s wife suffered “a cut to her left arm” and Carter had locked himself in the bedroom. After being Mirandized, Fry volunteered his version of events, that “he came to the residence to bring Lauren some rent money . . . discovered Lauren in bed with Brandon sitting up, using drugs. . . . [T]he two began to fight and he struck Brandon in the face with his fists. . . . Lauren then came into the bedroom with a large knife . . . swung at him with the knife and missed, but cut herself on the arm.” (Record (R.) at 37).
-3- On February 3, 2020, Fry’s probation officer “was notified by
CenterPoint staff that Mr. Fry was being terminated [from its rehabilitation
program] for testing positive for Methamphetimines.” (Violation of Supervision
Report, R. at 68). The Commonwealth filed another motion to revoke Fry’s
probation. Fry responded by filing a motion to dismiss the Commonwealth’s
motion because the court order extending his probation was void ab initio for lack
of jurisdiction. At the hearing, the court denied Fry’s motion because Fry
knowingly and voluntarily agreed, on the record, to an extension of probation.
This appeal followed.
STANDARD OF REVIEW
Jurisdiction is a question of law, and our review is de novo. Caesars
Riverboat Casino, LLC v. Beach, 336 S.W.3d 51, 54 (Ky. 2011) (citing
Appalachian Regional Healthcare, Inc. v. Coleman, 239 S.W.3d 49, 53-54 (Ky.
2007)). Furthermore, “[s]tatutory interpretation raises pure questions of law, so
our review is de novo, meaning we afford no deference to the decisions below.”
Department of Revenue, Finance and Admin. Cabinet v. Cox Interior, Inc., 400
S.W.3d 240, 242 (Ky. 2013) (citation omitted).
ANALYSIS
Fry argues the circuit court erred by: (1) entering the order of shock
probation without jurisdiction; (2) imposing a probation term longer than five years
-4- in violation of KRS4 533.020(4); and (3) revoking his probation after he
successfully completed graduated sanctions. These arguments lack sufficient merit
to disturb the circuit court’s order.
Fry claims the circuit court’s orders regarding his probation are void
because the court was without jurisdiction when it originally placed him on shock
probation. However, Fry waived this argument.
Recently, the Supreme Court of Kentucky held that jurisdiction for
shock probation can be waived. Martin v. Commonwealth, 576 S.W.3d 120, 121
(Ky. 2019). This is because shock probation requires a court to have particular-
case jurisdiction. “A court’s power to affect its own judgment [constitutes]
jurisdiction over a particular case. Such questions go more accurately to the
propriety of the exercise of jurisdiction rather than to the existence of jurisdiction.”
Commonwealth v. Steadman, 411 S.W.3d 717, 722-23 (Ky. 2013).
In Martin, the Commonwealth appealed the trial court’s grant of
shock probation, arguing the trial court lacked jurisdiction to do so. But the
Commonwealth failed to present that challenge to the trial court. The Supreme
Court stated, “‘[P]articular-case jurisdiction is subject to waiver.’ Because the
Commonwealth ‘did not raise th[is] jurisdictional issue until appeal[, the
Commonwealth] waived any issue relating to particular-case jurisdiction.’”
4 Kentucky Revised Statutes.
-5- Martin, 576 S.W.3d at 122 (quoting first Steadman, 411 S.W.3d at 724, and next
Kelly v. Commonwealth, 554 S.W.3d 854, 861 (Ky. 2018)).
Fry failed to complain then that the circuit court lacked jurisdiction.
Instead, he accepted and enjoyed the privilege of shock probation for almost the
entirety of the probationary period. Only when his conduct led to the possibility of
probation revocation did he raise the untimely jurisdiction question. Fry waived
this objection to the circuit court’s exercise of jurisdiction in his case.
Fry also contends the court’s order extending probation is void for
violating KRS 533.020(4)’s prohibition on probation longer than five years. We
disagree; Fry waived this argument, as well. Although Fry is correct that KRS
533.020(4) does not permit a court to unilaterally impose upon a defendant a
probationary period exceeding five years, nothing prevents a defendant’s knowing
and voluntary agreement to such an extended period. Commonwealth v. Griffin,
942 S.W.2d 289, 291 (Ky. 1997). That is what happened here – an arm’s length
negotiation leading to an agreement that benefitted Fry as much as anyone. We see
nothing to distinguish Fry’s argument from that made by the defendant in Griffin.
That brings us to Fry’s last argument—that the court had no authority
to extend his probation because he completed the graduated sanctions. Again, this
argument has no merit. Fry acknowledged he violated the terms of his probation
and agreed to serve 60 days in the Detention Center and extend his probation by
-6- twelve months. He accepted those terms, continued probation, and did not take
issue until he again was faced with probation being revoked.
Furthermore, the record contradicts Fry’s allegation that he completed
graduated sanctions. Quite to the contrary, his sanctions expressly included a drug
rehabilitation program which the record shows he clearly failed to complete.
Our Supreme Court held in Commonwealth v. Jennings, 613 S.W.3d
14 (Ky. 2020), that accepting probation and failing to challenge the restrictions at
the time it was imposed is fatal to a request for relief. Fry should have raised the
issue at the time he agreed to his extended probation period.
CONCLUSION
For the foregoing reasons, we affirm the McLean Circuit Court’s
orders regarding Fry’s probation.
ALL CONCUR.
BRIEFS FOR APPELLANT: BRIEF FOR APPELLEE:
John F. Bennett Daniel J. Cameron Owensboro, Kentucky Attorney General of Kentucky
Courtney J. Hightower Assistant Attorney General Frankfort, Kentucky
-7-