State v. Colburn

2019 Ohio 4240

• Court: Ohio Court of Appeals
• Decided: October 11, 2019
• Docket: 19CA896
• Status: Published

Opinion

[Cite as State v. Colburn, 2019-Ohio-4240.]

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO FOURTH APPELLATE DISTRICT PIKE COUNTY

STATE OF OHIO, : Case No. 19CA896

Plaintiff-Appellee, :

v. : DECISION AND JUDGMENT ENTRY LAWRENCE ELLIOTT COLBURN, :

Defendant-Appellant. : RELEASED 10/11/2019

APPEARANCES:

Matthew F. Loesch, Portsmouth, Ohio, for appellant.

Robert Junk, Pike County Prosecuting Attorney, and Marie Hoover, Pike County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, Waverly, Ohio, for appellee. Hess, J. {¶1} Lawrence Elliott Colburn pleaded guilty to felonious assault and received a

maximum eight-year prison sentence. Colburn asserts that the trial court’s imposition of

the maximum term for his crime was not clearly and convincingly supported by the record.

{¶2} However, the trial court could rely on the facts that Colburn beat his victim

so severely that her mother and children could not recognize her at the hospital, the

prolonged attack lasted five hours and involved repeated strangulation of the victim to the

point of unconsciousness, resulted in two broken eye sockets, a broken nose, permanent

vision impairment to the victim, and ongoing physical, emotional and mental health

issues. These factors allow the trial court to conclude that the crime was more serious

than the normal felonious assault and warranted the imposition of the maximum prison

term. We reject Colburn’s assertion and affirm his sentence. Pike App. No. 19CA896 2

I. FACTS

{¶3} In August 2018, the Pike County Grand Jury returned an indictment

charging Colburn with one count each of felonious assault, rape, kidnapping, and

attempted murder. Colburn initially entered a not-guilty plea to all charges and later

entered a guilty plea to felonious assault in violation of R.C. 2903.11(A)(1), a second-

degree felony, in return for the dismissal of the rape, kidnapping, and attempted murder

charges. The parties’ plea agreement did not include an agreed sentencing

recommendation. The trial court accepted Colburn’s plea and found him guilty of

felonious assault.

{¶4} At the sentencing hearing the state argued that the trial court should impose

the maximum eight-year prison term. The victim provided an impact statement in which

she explained that Colburn assaulted her for a period of five hours and the physical blows

to her face and eye sockets resulted in permanent vision impairment. She stated that

Colburn strangled her until she lost consciousness and when she regained

consciousness, Colburn taunted her and strangled her again into unconsciousness. The

victim stated that when she regained consciousness the second time, her clothes were

soiled with her own bodily fluids and she began vomiting blood. Her facial injuries were

so severe that her face had swollen to the point she could barely see to crawl to the tub

where she attempted to rinse her face. Colburn refused her request for medical attention.

At some point during the ordeal, Colburn brandished a kitchen knife. Colburn also told

her if she tried to leave, things would get worse and she would “see the monster in him.”

After five hours of physical assault and emotional abuse, the victim stated that Colburn Pike App. No. 19CA896 3

allowed her to leave but threatened to kill her and her three children if Colburn were

arrested and sentenced to prison.

{¶5} The victim stated that she also suffered a concussion and required eye

surgery. The victim stated that she suffers daily emotional trauma, cannot sleep without

medication and is on medication for stress and anxiety. The victim stated that every day

is a battle and that she struggles to keep her job because of her emotional state and the

difficulties she has working with an eye injury. Her employer has made equipment

accommodations for her vision impairment. The victim asked the trial court to sentence

Colburn to the maximum prison term: “It is my sincerest plea that this Court sentence

Lawrence Elliott Colburn to the maximum sentence available.”

{¶6} The state informed the trial court that Colburn had previously been

convicted of first-degree felonies of kidnapping and rape, had served a lengthy prison

term, and was on post release control when the felonious assault occurred. The state

presented photographs of the victim that were taken of her injuries while she was

hospitalized after the attack, which documented injuries to the victim’s face, eye sockets,

and nose. The state explained that the victim required medical treatment that is still

ongoing. As to her prognosis, the victim stated that she could not have another eye

surgery because she would lose sight and that she could not have surgery on her nose

because it would put too much pressure on her eye.

{¶7} The victim’s children gave statements and explained that when they saw

their mother in the hospital after the assault, they could not recognize her because she

had been “beaten to the point of being unrecognizable.” A victim’s advocate

representative from Pike County Partnership against Domestic Violence read the victim’s Pike App. No. 19CA896 4

twelve-year-old daughter’s statement, which stated that she was afraid she was going to

lose her mother. For weeks after the assault, their mother could not be home by herself

without an emotional breakdown, and she suffered frequent panic attacks. Her children

asked that the trial court sentence Colburn to the maximum sentence to allow them to

finish school and their mother to relocate without worrying about Colburn returning and

inflicting more pain and suffering on their family.

{¶8} The victim advocate presented the victim’s mother’s statement, in which

she stated that she could not recognize her daughter in the hospital after the attack, she

was fearful her daughter would die and that the doctors had told her that if her daughter

survived the first two days, then she probably would not die. The victim’s mother asked

the trial court to sentence Colburn to the maximum prison term.

{¶9} The victim’s sister and niece also asked the trial court to sentence Colburn

to the maximum prison term.

{¶10} Colburn’s counsel asked that the trial court impose the minimum sentence

and presented Colburn’s mother who explained that she would like to have her son home

with her to help care for her and her husband, who are seventy and seventy-one

respectively. Colburn gave a statement in which he explained that the victim had

provoked him by removing his personal belongings from their home and hitting and

kicking him. Colburn also stated that he was sorry for what he did to the victim and that

he has been diagnosed with bi-polar disorder and major depression.

{¶11} The trial court stated that it considered the overriding purposes and

principles of sentencing and the seriousness and recidivism factors in R.C. 2929.11 and

2929.12. Based on these factors the trial court concluded that Colburn’s conduct was Pike App. No. 19CA896 5

more serious than conduct normally constituting the offense due to the serious physical

and psychological harm the victim suffered as a result. The trial court found that Colburn

has a history of committing violent crimes and had committed this crime while under post-

release control following a lengthy prison term for rape and kidnapping convictions.

Although Colburn expressed remorse, the trial court found it difficult to determine that the

remorse was genuine and that some of Colburn’s remarks were self-serving. The trial

court found that the victim did not provoke or facilitate the attack, particularly due to the

severity of the injuries and the repeated, prolonged nature of the assault. The trial court

sentenced Colburn to an eight-year prison term.

II. ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR

{¶12} Colburn assigns the following error for our review:

THE RECORD DOES NOT CLEARLY AND CONVINCINGLY SUPPORT THAT APPELLANT’S MAXIMUM EIGHT-YEAR SENTENCE WAS SUPPORTED BY THE LAW.

III. STANDARD OF REVIEW

{¶13} When reviewing felony sentences, appellate courts must apply the standard

of review set forth in R.C. 2953.08(G)(2). State v. Marcum, 146 Ohio St.3d 516, 2016-

Ohio-1002, 59 N.E.3d 1231, ¶ 1, 22-23. Under R.C. 2953.08(G)(2), “[t]he appellate

court's standard for review is not whether the sentencing court abused its discretion.”

Instead, R.C. 2953.08(G)(2) provides that an appellate court may increase, reduce,

modify, or vacate and remand a challenged felony sentence if the court clearly and

convincingly finds either:

(a) That the record does not support the sentencing court's findings under division (B) or (D) of section 2929.13, division (B)(2)(e) or (C)(4) of section 2929.14, or division (I) of section 2929.20 of the Revised Code, whichever, if any, is relevant; Pike App. No. 19CA896 6

(b) That the sentence is otherwise contrary to law.

{¶14} Although R.C. 2953.08(G)(2)(a) does not mention R.C. 2929.11 and

2929.12, the Supreme Court of Ohio has determined that the same standard of review

applies to those statutes. Marcum at ¶ 23 (although “some sentences do not require the

findings that R.C. 2953.08(G)[2][a] specifically addresses[,] * * * it is fully consistent for

appellate courts to review those sentences that are imposed solely after consideration of

the factors in R.C. 2929.11 and 2929.12 under a standard that is equally deferential to

the sentencing court”); State v. Butcher, 4th Dist. Athens No. 15CA33, 2017-Ohio-1544,

¶ 84. Consequently, “an appellate court may vacate or modify any sentence that is not

clearly and convincingly contrary to law only if the appellate court finds by clear and

convincing evidence that the record does not support the sentence.” Marcum at ¶ 23;

Butcher at ¶ 84.

{¶15} “Once the trial court considers R.C. 2929.11 and 2929.12, the burden is on

the defendant to demonstrate by clear and convincing evidence that the record does not

support his sentence.” State v. Akins-Daniels, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 103817, 2016-

Ohio-7048, ¶ 9; State v. O’Neill, 3d Dist. Allen No. 1-09-27, 2009-Ohio-6156, fn. 1

{¶16} “Clear and convincing evidence is ‘that measure or degree of proof which is

more than a mere “preponderance of the evidence,” but not to the extent of such certainty

as is required “beyond a reasonable doubt” in criminal cases, and which will produce in

the mind of the trier of facts a firm belief or conviction as to the facts sought to be

established.’ ” State ex rel. Husted v. Brunner, 123 Ohio St.3d 288, 2009-Ohio-5327, 915

N.E.2d 1215, ¶ 18, quoting Cross v. Ledford, 161 Ohio St. 469, 120 N.E.2d 118 (1954),

paragraph three of the syllabus. Pike App. No. 19CA896 7

IV. LAW AND ANALYSIS

{¶17} Colburn asserts that the trial court committed error by imposing a maximum

sentence in violation of sentencing laws.

{¶18} Initially, we conclude that the trial court’s imposition of an eight-year

maximum sentence for felonious assault is not contrary to law. In fact, Colburn does not

argue that it was. Rather Colburn argues that his prison sentence is not clearly and

convincingly supported by the record. He claims that although the trial court stated that

it balanced the seriousness and recidivism factors under R.C. 2929.12, a balancing of

these factors weighs in favor of a lesser prison term for his felonious-assault conviction.

{¶19} More specifically under R.C. 2929.12(C), Colburn argues that the victim

induced or facilitated the offense, he was under strong provocation, and there were

substantial grounds to mitigate his conduct, though insufficient to constitute a defense.

He also claims that the seriousness factors of R.C. 2929.12(B) support his contention that

his sentence was clearly and convincingly improper. Specifically, he contends that (1) the

injuries suffered by the victim were not exacerbated by her physical or mental condition

or age, (2) he did not hold a public office or position of trust in the community and the

offense was therefore not related to that office or position, (3) his occupation did not

obligate him to prevent the offense or bring others to justice for committing it, (4) he did

not use his professional reputation to facilitate the offense or influence the future conduct

of others, (5) he did not commit the offense for hire or as part of an organized criminal

activity, and (6) he was not motivated by prejudice based on race, ethnic background,

gender, sexual orientation, or religion. Pike App. No. 19CA896 8

{¶20} Although these factors could support a finding that the offense was less

serious, see R.C. 2929.12(B) and (C), the trial court did not need to assign equal weight

to each applicable factor. Instead, precedent refutes any contention that each statutory

or other relevant factor is entitled to equal or a certain weight in the balancing process.

See State v. Yost, 4th Dist. Meigs No. 17CA10, 2018-Ohio-2719, ¶ 19; State v. Graham,

4th Dist. Adams No. 17CA1046, 2018-Ohio-1277, ¶ 25, rejecting the argument that

because each of the statutory sentencing factors are mandatory, each is entitled to equal

weight on balance, citing State v. Bailey, 4th Dist. Highland No. 11CA7, 2011-Ohio-6526,

¶ 34, quoting State v. Arnett, 88 Ohio St.3d 208, 215, 724 N.E.2d 793 (2000) (“in

considering the factors set forth in R.C. 2929.12, the trial court has ‘the discretion to

determine the weight to assign a particular statutory factor’ ”).

{¶21} The trial court was free to credit the state’s, victim’s, and victim’s family’s

version of the facts, and to place additional weight on the facts that Colburn’s remorse

appeared to be questionable, his assault on the victim lasted hours and nearly resulted

in her death, and she suffered serious and lasting physical and emotional harm. Under

these circumstances, Colburn has failed to meet his burden to establish that the trial

court’s imposition of a mandatory eight-year prison sentence for his felonious-assault

conviction was clearly and convincingly not supported by the record. “ ‘Simply because

the court did not balance the factors in the manner appellant desires does not mean that

the court failed to consider them, or that clear and convincing evidence shows that the

court’s findings are not supported by the record.’ ” Graham, 2018-Ohio-1277, at ¶ 26,

quoting Butcher, 2017-Ohio-1544, at ¶ 87.

{¶22} Therefore, we overrule Colburn’s assignment of error. Pike App. No. 19CA896 9

V. CONCLUSION

{¶23} Colburn has not established that his eight-year prison sentence is clearly

and convincingly not supported by the record. Having overruled his assignment of error,

we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

JUDGMENT AFFIRMED. Pike App. No. 19CA896 10

JUDGMENT ENTRY

It is ordered that the JUDGMENT IS AFFIRMED and that Appellant shall pay 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 Pike County Court of Common Pleas 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 pendency 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.

Smith, P.J. & Powell,J.*: Concur in Judgment and Opinion.

For the Court

BY: ________________________ Michael D. Hess, 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.

*Judge Mike Powell, Twelfth District Court of Appeals, sitting by assignment of the Supreme Court of Ohio in the Fourth Appellate District.