State v. Butler

2023 Ohio 1716
Procedural entryThis page is a short order in State v. Butler. Read the opinion of the Court — 2024 Ohio 5879
Ohio Court of Appeals·Decided May 22, 2023·No. CT2022-0079·Published

Opinion

[Cite as State v. Butler, 2023-Ohio-1716.]

COURT OF APPEALS MUSKINGUM COUNTY, OHIO FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT

STATE OF OHIO, : JUDGES: : Hon. William B. Hoffman, P.J. Plaintiff - Appellee : Hon. John W. Wise, J. : Hon. Craig R. Baldwin, J. -vs- : : KEVIN A. BUTLER : Case No. CT2022-0079 : Defendant - Appellant : OPINION

CHARACTER OF PROCEEDING: Appeal from the Muskingum County Court of Common Pleas, Case No. CR2022-0300

JUDGMENT: Affirmed

DATE OF JUDGMENT: May 22, 2023

APPEARANCES:

For Plaintiff-Appellee For Defendant-Appellant

RON WELCH RICHARD D. HIXSON Prosecuting Attorney 3808 James Court, Suite 2 Muskingum County, Ohio Zanesville, Ohio 43701

By: JOHN CONNOR DEVER Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Muskingum County, Ohio 27 North Fifth St., P.O. Box 189 Zanesville, Ohio 43701 Muskingum County, Case No. CT2022-0079 2

Baldwin, J.

{¶1} Appellant Kevin A. Butler appeals his sentence, imposed by the trial court

after he changed his plea to guilty pursuant to a plea agreement. Appellee is the State of

Ohio.

STATEMENT OF THE FACTS AND THE CASE

{¶2} On July 7, 2022, the Muskingum County Grand Jury indicted the appellant

on the following charges:

{¶3} (1) Two counts of aggravated robbery in violation of R.C. 2911.01(A)(1),

with a firearm specification in violation of R.C. 2941.145, felonies of the first degree;

{¶4} (2) Two counts of aggravated burglary in violation of R.C. 2911.11(A)(1),

with a firearm specification in violation of R.C. 2941.145, felonies of the first degree; and,

{¶5} (3) Two counts of aggravated assault in violation of R.C. 2903.11(A)(1) and

(2), with a firearm specification, felonies of the second degree.

{¶6} Bond was set at $1,000.000.00. The appellant pleaded not guilty at his July

13, 2022 arraignment, and bond was continued.

{¶7} The appellant entered into a plea agreement with the appellee, and on

September 14, 2022 withdrew his not guilty plea and entered a plea of guilty to count one,

robbery, as amended, in violation of R.C. 2911.02(A)(2), a felony of the second degree;

and, count six, felonious assault, as amended, in violation of R.C. 2903.11(A)(2), a felony

of the second degree. The Plea of Guilty document set forth that the appellant understood

that the maximum penalty for each offense was as follows: a stated minimum prison term

of 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8 years; an indefinite term of up to 4 years; a possible maximum term

of 12 years; a fine of $0.00 up to $15,000.00; no mandatory prison time; and, prison time Muskingum County, Case No. CT2022-0079 3

need not be consecutive. The Plea of Guilty also set forth, inter alia, that “[p]rison terms

for multiple charges, even if consecutive sentences are not mandatory, may be imposed

consecutively by the Court.”

{¶8} The appellant specifically acknowledged receipt of the “Notice of Non-Life

Felony Indefinite Prison Term” document, and specifically acknowledged that post

release control upon release from prison was 18 months to 3 years. Significantly, the Plea

of Guilty stated:

In consideration of the Defendant’s plea of “guilty” to Counts One and

Six, as amended, the parties agree to a joint recommendation that the

Defendant be sentenced to five (5) years prison. The State agrees to

dismiss Counts Two, Three, Four and Five of the indictment as well as the

Firearm Specifications attached to Counts One and Six of the indictment at

the time of sentencing.

Such recommendation is conditioned upon Defendant’s compliance

with all bond conditions, and Defendant’s compliance with all laws pending

sentencing on this matter.

The Defendant further acknowledges that he understands any

sentencing recommendation does not have to be followed by the

Court.

(Underlining original, boldface added.)

{¶9} The Plea of Guilty was signed by the appellant and his counsel, as well as

the prosecuting attorney. Muskingum County, Case No. CT2022-0079 4

{¶10} A Plea Hearing was conducted on September 14, 2022, at which the

appellant’s trial counsel stated that he “reviewed [the plea form] carefully” with the

appellant, who signed it in the presence of counsel. The trial court addressed the

appellant personally pursuant to Crim. R. 11(C)(2) prior to accepting his plea. The trial

court’s discussion with the appellant regarding his guilty plea included, but was not limited

to, the following exchange:

THE COURT: Thank you. Mr. Butler, you understand you are here

today to plead guilty to two amended counts?

THE DEFENDANT: Yes, Your Honor.

THE COURT: They’re both charged as felonies of the second degree.

You understand that?

THE COURT: Count 1 is a charge - - is a charge, as amended, of

robbery, charged as a felony of the second degree, carries with it a

maximum - - or a minimum stated prison term of 2 through 8 years in one-

year increments. That’s a non-life indefinite felony because it’s a felony of

the second degree. There’s a maximum fine of $15,000.00.

If you go to prison in this matter, if you’re sentenced to prison on this count,

there will be a choice, the Court will decide between the 2 and 8 years in

one-year increments what your prison sentence would be. Once the

minimum sentence is imposed, then the maximum indefinite sentence is

one and a half times the minimum. You understand that?

THE DEFENDANT: Yes, Your Honor Muskingum County, Case No. CT2022-0079 5

THE COURT: So there’s a possible maximum prison term of 12 years

with regard to this count.

* * *

THE COURT: With regard to Count 6, felonious assault, as amended,

a felony of the second degree, again, it’s the same sentencing parameters.

The minimum is 2 to 8 years on one-year increments. The maximum then -

- maximum indefinite sentence becomes 12 years subject to all of the

provisions I just described. You understand - - but you can only be

sentenced on the indefinite maximum on one of the two, the more serious

of the two. They’re both the same. You understand - -

THE COURT: You understand that?

{¶11} The trial court summarized the parties’ plea agreement as follows:

THE COURT: You understand, Mr. Butler, that in exchange for your

pleas of guilty, there’s a joint recommendation that you be sentenced to five

years in prison. The State would agree to dismiss Counts 2, 3, 4, and 5 of

the indictment as well as the firearm specification attached to Counts 1 and

6. Is that your understanding?

THE COURT: Have you been promised anything else or threatened

in any way in order for you to enter these pleas of guilty? Muskingum County, Case No. CT2022-0079 6

THE DEFENDANT: No, Your Honor.

THE COURT: You understand that is joint recommendation is

not binding on this Court and, at sentencing, I do not have to follow

it?

(Boldface original.)

{¶12} The trial court engaged in the requisite Crim. R. 11(C)(2) colloquy, and

reviewed with the appellant all the rights he was giving up by pleading guilty pursuant to

the negotiated plea agreement, which the appellant acknowledged. The trial court

accepted the appellant’s guilty plea. The trial court ordered a presentence investigation,

and thereafter scheduled the matter for sentencing.

{¶13} The sentencing hearing was conducted on October 31, 2022. The trial court

noted for the record that the indictment contained six counts, and the charges were

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