[Cite as State v. Dennis, 2022-Ohio-2320.]
COURT OF APPEALS MUSKINGUM COUNTY, OHIO FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
JUDGES: STATE OF OHIO : Hon. W. Scott Gwin, P.J. : Hon. William B. Hoffman, J. Plaintiff-Appellee : Hon. Craig R. Baldwin, J. : -vs- : : Case No. CT2021-0050 HAKEEM DENNIS : : Defendant-Appellant : OPINION
CHARACTER OF PROCEEDING: Criminal appeal from the Muskingum County Court of Common Pleas, Case No. CR2021-0199
JUDGMENT: Affirmed
DATE OF JUDGMENT ENTRY: July 1, 2022
APPEARANCES:
For Plaintiff-Appellee For Defendant-Appellant
RONALD WELCH JAMES S. SWEENEY Prosecuting Attorney 285 South Liberty Street BY: TAYLOR P. BENNINGTON Powell, OH 43065 Assistant Prosecutor 27 North Fifth St., Box 189 Zanesville, OH 43702-0189 Muskingum County, Case No. CT2021-0050 2
Gwin, P.J.
{¶1} Defendant-appellant Hakeem Dennis [“Dennis”] appeals his conviction and
sentence after a negotiated guilty plea in the Muskingum County Court of Common Pleas.
Facts and Procedural History
{¶2} On March 30, 2021 at 10:21 p.m., Probation Officer Matt Gibson from the
Muskingum County Court went to 110 Eagleview Drive to conduct a probation check on
one of his probationers, Keneesha Gaitlin. Miss Gaitlin answered the door. Officer
Gibson went inside and immediately noticed a gun box on the kitchen counter. He also
noticed the odor of burnt marijuana inside the residence. When the officer opened up the
gun box, he saw a loaded magazine and earplugs inside the box but not the firearm 1.
{¶3} Dennis walked up from the back of the apartment. Miss Gatlin identified
him as her boyfriend. Dennis advised the officer, "man, there isn't a gun in here and that's
the box from the gun I just went to prison for."
{¶4} Officer Gibson had deputies arrive at the scene, and conducted a search of
the premises. Officers located the loaded firearm, with a second loaded magazine, inside
of a kitchen counter drawer just next to the refrigerator. The firearm was in a drawer that
had articles of U.S. mail that had been sent to Dennis at the address where Miss Gatlin
lives as well as a different address in Columbus, Ohio. Dennis did not live with Miss
Gatlin.
{¶5} When speaking with Miss Gatlin she advised the firearm had to be Dennis’s
because it was not hers and she did not have any idea that it was in the house. She also
mistakenly believed that the box that the gun was in was actually a toolbox. She said that
1 The facts are taken from the state’s recitation of facts during Dennis’s plea hearing on June 9, 2021. Muskingum County, Case No. CT2021-0050 3
Dennis had stayed at her apartment the night before and he was going to stay there again
that evening. Dennis admitted that he had previously been convicted of burglary in
Franklin County, Ohio in October 2013. That would place him under disability. Dennis
was subsequently arrested.
{¶6} On April 14, 2021, Dennis was indicted on one count of Having Weapons
While Under Disability, a felony of the third degree, in violation of R.C. 2923.13(A)(2). On
June 9, 2021, Dennis entered a plea of guilty to the sole count.
{¶7} On August 11, 2021, a sentencing hearing was held before the trial judge.
Before sentencing, Dennis orally moved to withdraw his plea. Dennis contended that he
pleaded guilty because of his trial attorney's incompetent performance. Dennis argued
that his trial attorney was not entirely familiar with the facts of the case or the rules of
criminal procedure. Dennis asserted that he was not comfortable with his plea under
these circumstances and that he wanted to withdraw his plea. Dennis also asserted that
he was actually innocent of the charges because he had not possessed a firearm. Dennis
told the trial judge,
At that time, sir, I believe that since I am on PRC that me being
around a firearm was indeed a violation. Which I cannot get around. I
accept. I am on parole. And I’m not allowed to be around a firearm. But at
this time, I’m facing criminal charges for possessing the firearm.
Plea T. at 7. Dennis maintained that he did not possess the firearm. Id.
{¶8} The trial court denied the motion to withdraw the plea. Muskingum County, Case No. CT2021-0050 4
{¶9} Dennis was sentenced to a stated prison term of 12 months; the trial court
further revoked Dennis’s post-release control and imposed the time remaining of
approximately 800 days. Plea T. at 13-14.
Assignments of Error
{¶10} Dennis raises three Assignments of Error,
{¶11} “I. HAKEEM DENNIS DID NOT KNOWINGLY, INTELLIGENTLY AND
VOLUNTARILY PLEAD GUILTY TO ESCAPE,2 [sic.] IN VIOLATION OF HIS DUE
PROCESS RIGHTS UNDER THE FIFTH AND FOURTEENTH AMENDMENTS TO THE
UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION AND SECTION SIXTEEN, ARTICLE ONE OF THE
OHIO CONSTITUTION.
{¶12} “II. THE TRIAL COURT ERRED BY DENYING DENNIS'S MOTION TO
WITHDRAW HIS GUILTY PLEA, IN VIOLATION OF DENNIS'S DUE PROCESS RIGHTS
PURSUANT TO THE FOURTEENTH AMENDMENT TO THE UNITED STATES
CONSTITUTION.
{¶13} “III. THE STATE OF OHIO VIOLATED DENNIS'S DUE PROCESS RIGHTS
AND ITS OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE PLEA AGREEMENT.”
I.
{¶14} In his First Assignment of Error, Dennis claims the trial court failed to inform
him before accepting his guilty plea that any time for violating his post-release control
("PRC") would have to be imposed consecutively to any time he received for his new
felony. [Appellant’s brief at 5].
2 Dennis pled guilty to, and was sentenced for, one count of Having Weapons While Under Disability, a felony of the third degree, in violation of R.C. 2923.13(A)(2). Plea T. at 10. Muskingum County, Case No. CT2021-0050 5
Standard of Review
{¶15} Crim. R. 11 requires guilty pleas to be made knowingly, intelligently and
voluntarily. Although literal compliance with Crim. R. 11 is preferred, the trial court need
only "substantially comply" with the rule when dealing with the non-constitutional
elements of Crim.R. 11(C). State v. Ballard, 66 Ohio St.2d 473, 475, 423 N.E.2d
115(1981), citing State v. Stewart, 51 Ohio St.2d 86, 364 N.E.2d 1163(1977).
{¶16} The constitutional rights are: (1) a jury trial; (2) confrontation of witnesses
against him; (3) the compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor; (4) that the
state must prove the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial; and (5) that the
defendant cannot be compelled to testify against himself. State v. Veney, 120 Ohio St.3d
176, 2008-Ohio-5200, 897 N.E.2d 621, ¶ 19. If the trial court fails to strictly comply with
these requirements, the defendant’s plea is invalid. Id. at ¶ 31.
{¶17} The non-constitutional rights that the defendant must be informed of are:
(1) the nature of the charges; (2) the maximum penalty involved, which includes, if
applicable, an advisement on post-release control; (3) if applicable, that the defendant is
not eligible for probation or the imposition of community control sanctions; and (4) that
after entering a guilty plea or a no contest plea, the court may proceed directly to judgment
and sentencing. Crim.R. 11(C)(2); Veney at ¶ 10-13; State v. Sarkozy, 117 Ohio St.3d
86, 2008-Ohio-509, 423 N.E.2d 1224, ¶ 19-26, (post-release control is a non-
constitutional advisement).
{¶18} In State v. Bishop, 156 Ohio St.3d 156, 2018-Ohio-5132, 124 N.E.3d 766,
the Ohio Supreme Court held a trial court must inform a defendant who is on post-release
control and is pleading guilty to a new felony offense of the trial court’s authority to revoke Muskingum County, Case No. CT2021-0050 6
the defendant’s post-release control and impose a prison term consecutively to any term
of imprisonment it imposes for that new felony offense. Accord, State v. Krouskoupf, 5th
Dist. Muskingum No. CT2018-0020, 2019-Ohio-806.
{¶19} For the non-constitutional rights, the trial court must substantially comply
with Crim.R. 11’s mandates. State v. Nero, 56 Ohio St.3d 106, 108, 564 N.E.2d 474
(1990). “Substantial compliance means that under the totality of the circumstances the
defendant subjectively understands the implications of his plea and the rights he is
waiving.” Veney at ¶ 15. Furthermore, a defendant who challenges his guilty plea on the
basis that the advisement for the non-constitutional rights did not substantially comply
with Crim.R. 11(C)(2) must also show a prejudicial effect, meaning the plea would not
have been otherwise entered. Veney at ¶ 15; State v. Stewart, 51 Ohio St.2d 86, 93, 364
N.E.2d 1163(1977).
{¶20} When reviewing a plea’s compliance with Crim.R. 11(C), we apply a de
novo standard of review. State v. Nero, 56 Ohio St.3d 106, 108-109, 564 N.E.2d
474(1990); State v. Lebron, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 108825, 2020-Ohio-1507, ¶9; State
v. Groves, 5th Dist. Fairfield Nos. 2019 CA 00032, 2019 CA 00033, 2019-Ohio-5025,¶7.
Issue for appellate review: Whether the trial court informed Dennis before
accepting his guilty plea to an offense he committed while on post- release control that
pursuant to R.C. 2929.141(A)(1) a sentence for a post-release control violation must be
served consecutively to the sentence for the newly committed offense.
{¶21} In the case at bar, the following exchange occurred between the trial judge
and Dennis during the Change of Plea hearing, Muskingum County, Case No. CT2021-0050 7
THE COURT: You understand that a plea of guilty on this case and
a finding of guilty could lead to a violation of your PRC time and could lead
to an imposition of however long you have on post-release control, however
many days you have left on PRC, that could be added mandatory
consecutive to this case or one year, whichever is greater. And it’s
mandatory consecutive time. Do you understand that charge and possible
penalties along with the PRC?
THE DEFENDANT: Yes, sir.
THE COURT: In spite of that, you want to go forward with your plea?
Plea T. at 5-6. In State v. Bishop, the Ohio Supreme Court explained,
We must also consider the specifics of R.C. 2929.141. That statute
provides that when a defendant who is on post-release control is convicted
of or pleads guilty to a new felony, the trial court may terminate the post-
release control term and convert it into additional prison time. R.C.
2929.141(A)(1). This additional penalty is often referred to as a “judicial
sanction.” See, e.g., State v. Grimes, 151 Ohio St.3d 19, 2017-Ohio-2927,
85 N.E.3d 700, ¶ 25. The additional term can be as long as the greater of
12 months or the amount of time that remained on the existing post-release-
control term. R.C. 2929.141(A)(1). The court is not required to impose an
additional prison term for the violation. See id. But if it does, the defendant
must serve the additional term consecutively to the prison term for the new
felony. Id. Muskingum County, Case No. CT2021-0050 8
156 Ohio St.3d 156, 2018-Ohio-5132, 124 N.E.3d 766, ¶13 (emphasis added).
{¶22} While the precise wording may be somewhat clumsy, the trial judge
correctly informed Dennis that a plea of guilty to the having weapons while under disability
charge could lead to a violation of his post- release control time on the Franklin County
case. Plea T. at 5-6. The trial court further correctly informed Dennis that if the trial court
terminated his post- release control, his remaining post-release control time is mandatory,
consecutive time. Id.
{¶23} A trial court need only substantially comply with the non-constitutional
advisements listed in Crim.R. 11(C)(2). “‘If the trial judge partially complied, e.g., by
mentioning mandatory post-release control without explaining it, the plea may be vacated
only if the defendant demonstrates a prejudicial effect.’ Id.” Bishop at ¶ 19, quoting State
v. Clark, 119 Ohio St.3d 239, 2008-Ohio-3748, 893 N.E.2d 462, at ¶ 32.
{¶24} At the time he attempted to withdraw his guilty plea, Dennis had not yet
been sentenced. Dennis’s argument to the trial court was not that he was unaware that
he would have to serve his post-release control time on the Franklin County case
consecutive to the Muskingum County case if the trial court were to terminate his post-
release control. Rather, Dennis’s objection was that he did not, “feel completely
comfortable with [entering a guilty plea] and immediately expressed to my attorney I
wanted to withdraw my plea 30 days before this court date...As well as all else, I have a
complete defense in criminal law 2923.13 and the facts of the case that I do not [sic.]
possess this gun.” Plea T. at 5-6. As we have previously noted, Dennis did not dispute
that he had violated his post-release control. Plea T. at 7. Muskingum County, Case No. CT2021-0050 9
{¶25} The trial judge substantially complied with Crim.R. 11’s mandates for non-
constitutional rights. It appears from the record before this Court that Dennis has not
demonstrated any prejudicial effect or that he in fact relied upon any supposed ambiguity
concerning the mandatory, consecutive nature of his post-release control time.
{¶26} Dennis’s First Assignment of Error is overruled.
II.
{¶27} In his Second Assignment of Error, Dennis argues that the trial court abused
its discretion by overruling his oral motion to withdraw his guilty plea made before
sentencing.
{¶28} Crim. R. 32.1 governs motions to withdraw guilty pleas and provides in
pertinent part: “A motion to withdraw a plea of guilty or no contest may be made only
before sentence is imposed; but to correct manifest injustice the court after sentence may
set aside the judgment of conviction and permit the defendant to withdraw his or her plea.”
A defendant does not have an absolute right to withdraw a guilty plea prior to sentencing,
however; a trial court must conduct a hearing to determine whether there is a reasonable
and legitimate basis for the withdrawal of the plea. State v. Hamilton, 5th Dist. Muskingum
No. CT2008–0011, 2008–Ohio–6328, ¶ 32, citing State v. Xie, 62 Ohio St.3d 521, 584
N.E.2d 715 (1992), at paragraph one of the syllabus.
{¶29} The trial court’s decision to grant or deny a motion to withdraw a guilty plea
is vested within the sound discretion of the court, and will not be reversed by an appellate
court unless the trial court abused its discretion. Xie, supra, at paragraph two of the
syllabus. Muskingum County, Case No. CT2021-0050 10
{¶30} An abuse of discretion can be found where the reasons given by the court
for its action are clearly untenable, legally incorrect, or amount to a denial of justice, or
where the judgment reaches an end or purpose not justified by reason and the evidence.
Tennant v. Gallick, 9th Dist. Summit No. 26827, 2014-Ohio-477, ¶35; In re Guardianship
of S .H., 9th Dist. Medina No. 13CA0066–M, 2013–Ohio–4380, ¶ 9; State v. Firouzmandi,
5th Dist. Licking No. 2006–CA–41, 2006–Ohio–5823, ¶54.
{¶31} Issue for appellate review: Whether Dennis articulated a reasonable and
legitimate reason to withdraw his guilty plea before sentencing.
{¶32} In Florida v. Nixon, the United States Supreme Court made the following
observation,
A defendant, this Court affirmed, has “the ultimate authority” to
determine “whether to plead guilty, waive a jury, testify in his or her own
behalf, or take an appeal.” Jones v. Barnes, 463 U.S. 745, 751, 103 S.Ct.
3308, 77 L.Ed.2d 987 (1983); Wainwright v. Sykes, 433 U.S. 72, 93, n. 1,
97 S.Ct. 2497, 53 L.Ed.2d 594 (1977) (Burger, C.J., concurring).
Concerning those decisions, an attorney must both consult with the
defendant and obtain consent to the recommended course of action.
***
While a guilty plea may be tactically advantageous for the defendant,
Boykin [v. Alabama, 395 U.S. 238, 89 S.Ct. 1709, 23 L.Ed.2d 274 (1969)],
at 240, 89 S.Ct. 1709, the plea is not simply a strategic choice; it is “itself a
conviction,” id., at 242, 89 S.Ct. 1709, and the high stakes for the defendant
require “the utmost solicitude,” id., at 243, 89 S.Ct. 1709. Accordingly, Muskingum County, Case No. CT2021-0050 11
counsel lacks authority to consent to a guilty plea on a client’s behalf,
Brookhart v. Janis, 384 U.S. 1, 6-7, 86 S.Ct. 1245, 16 L.Ed.2d 314 (1966);
moreover, a defendant’s tacit acquiescence in the decision to plead is
insufficient to render the plea valid, Boykin, 395 U.S., at 242, 89 S.Ct. 1709.
534 U.S. 175, 187-188, 125 S.Ct. 551, 160 L.Ed.2d 565(2004).
{¶33} The entry of a plea of guilty is a grave decision by an accused to dispense
with a trial and allow the state to obtain a conviction without following the otherwise difficult
process of proving his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. See Machibroda v. United States,
368 U.S. 487, 82 S.Ct. 510, 7 L.Ed.2d 473(1962). A plea of guilty constitutes a complete
admission of guilt. Crim. R. 11(B)(1). “By entering a plea of guilty, the accused is not
simply stating that he did the discreet acts described in the indictment; he is admitting
guilt of a substantive crime.” United v. Broce, 488 U.S. 563, 570, 109 S.Ct. 757, 762, 102
L.Ed.2d 927(1989).
{¶34} Further, evidence of a written waiver form signed by the accused is strong
proof that the waiver was valid. State v. Clark, 38 Ohio St.3d 252, 261, 527 N.E.2d 844,
854(1988); see North Carolina v. Butler, 441 U.S. 369, 374-375, 99 S.Ct. 1755, 1758-
1759, 60 L.Ed.2d 286, 293(1979); State v. Dennis, 79 Ohio St.3d 421, 425, 1997-Ohio-
372, 683 N.E.2d 1096, 1102(1997). Dennis signed such a written waiver in the case at
bar.
{¶35} With respect to statements made during change of plea hearings, the United
States Supreme Court has stated, “the representation of the defendant, his lawyer, and
the prosecutor in such a hearing, as well as any findings made by the judge accepting the
plea, constitute a formidable barrier in any subsequent collateral proceedings. Solemn Muskingum County, Case No. CT2021-0050 12
declarations in open court carry a strong presumption of verity. The subsequent
presentation of conclusory allegations unsupported by specifics is subject to summary
dismissal, as are contentions that in the face of the record are wholly incredible.”
Machibroda v. United States, 368 U.S. 487, 497, 82 S.Ct. 510, 515(1962).
{¶36} In State v. Xie, the Court set the standard to be used when reviewing a
presentence motion to withdraw a guilty plea. The Court first noted that when the motion
is made before sentencing, the motion should be freely and liberally granted. The Court
also recognized that a defendant does not have an absolute right to withdraw a plea prior
to sentencing. Therefore, the Xie Court concluded the trial court must conduct a hearing
to determine whether there is a “reasonable and legitimate” basis for the withdrawal of
the plea in view of “all the circumstances” surrounding the original guilty plea.” 62 Ohio
St.3d 521, 527, 584 N.E.2d 715 (1992) (emphasis added).
{¶37} In the case at bar, Dennis first claimed his attorney was incompetent
because he did not raise a “Rule 52-B, the fact that I did not have a preliminary hearing
or he or myself did not waive that right.” Plea T. at 5. Crim.R. 52(B) is the “plain error”
rule.
{¶38} In the case at bar, Dennis was directly indicted by the Muskingum County
Grand jury. There is no constitutional right to a preliminary hearing, and, when an
indictment is returned by a grand jury, a hearing is no longer required. State v. Morris,
42 Ohio St.2d 307, 326, 329 N.E.2d 85(1975); Crim.R. 5(B).
{¶39} Dennis next told the trial judge that he, Dennis, did not “possess” the
firearm. Muskingum County, Case No. CT2021-0050 13
{¶40} R.C. 2923.13, Having weapons while under disability provides, in relevant
part, “(A) Unless relieved from disability under operation of law or legal process, no person
shall knowingly acquire, have, carry, or use any firearm or dangerous ordnance....
(Emphasis added).
{¶41} To “have” a firearm within the meaning of R.C. 2923.13(A), a person must
have actual or constructive possession of it. State v. Davis, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No.
104221, 2016-Ohio-7964, ¶ 13, citing State v. Adams, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 93513,
2010-Ohio-4478, ¶ 19. Accord, State v. Donley, 2nd Dist. Montgomery Nos. 26654;
26655; 26656, 2017-Ohio-562, ¶53, citing State v. Fleming, 2nd Dist. Clark No. 2014-CA-
136, 2015-Ohio-5382, ¶26.
{¶42} “‘Possess’ or ‘possession’ means having control over a thing or substance,
but may not be inferred solely from mere access to the thing or substance through
ownership or occupation of the premises upon which the thing or substance is found.”
R.C. 2925.01(K). R.C. 2901.21 provides the requirements for criminal liability and
provides that possession is a “voluntary act if the possessor knowingly procured or
received the thing possessed, or was aware of the possessor’s control of the thing
possessed for sufficient time to have ended possession.” R.C. 2901.21(D)(1).
{¶43} Possession may be actual or constructive. State v. Butler, 42 Ohio St.3d
174, 176, 538 N.E.2d 98(1989); State v. Haynes, 25 Ohio St.2d 264, 267 N.E.2d
787(1971); State v. Hankerson, 70 Ohio St.2d 87, 434 N.E.2d 1362(1982), certiorari
denied, 459 U.S. 870, 103 S.Ct. 155, 74 L.Ed.2d 130(1982), syllabus. To establish
constructive possession, the evidence must prove that the defendant was able to exercise
dominion and control over the contraband. State v. Wolery, 46 Ohio St.2d 316, 332, 348 Muskingum County, Case No. CT2021-0050 14
N.E.2d 351(1976). Dominion and control may be proven by circumstantial evidence
alone. State v. Trembly, 137 Ohio App.3d 134, 738 N.E.2d 93(8th Dist. 2000).
{¶44} Circumstantial evidence that the defendant was located in very close
proximity to the contraband may show constructive possession. State v. Butler, supra;
State v. Barr, 86 Ohio App.3d 227, 235, 620 N.E.2d 242, 247-248(8th Dist. 1993); State
v. Morales, 5th Dist. Licking No. 2004 CA 68, 2005-Ohio-4714, ¶ 50; State v. Moses, 5th
Dist. Stark No. 2003CA00384, 2004-Ohio-4943, ¶ 9. Ownership of the contraband need
not be established in order to find constructive possession. State v. Smith, 9th Dist.
Summit No. 20885, 2002-Ohio-3034, ¶ 13, citing State v. Mann, 93 Ohio App.3d 301,
308, 638 N.E.2d 585(8th Dist. 1993).
{¶45} Furthermore, possession may be individual or joint. Wolery, 46 Ohio St.2d
at 332, 348 N.E.2d 351. Multiple individuals may constructively possess a particular
weapon simultaneously. State v. Pitts, 4th Dist. Scioto No. 99 CA 2675, 2000-Ohio-1986.
The Supreme Court has held that knowledge of illegal goods on one’s property is
sufficient to show constructive possession. State v. Hankerson, 70 Ohio St.2d 87, 91,
434 N.E.2d 1362, 1365(1982), certiorari denied, 459 U.S. 870, 103 S.Ct. 155, 74 L.Ed.2d
130(1982).
{¶46} The statement of facts recited by the state during Dennis’s change of plea
hearing establish that a gun box was in plain view when entering the apartment. The
firearm was found in a drawer with mail addressed to Dennis both at the premises where
the firearm was found and at a location in Columbus, Ohio. Dennis was present in the
apartment when law enforcement officers discovered the firearm. The tenant of the Muskingum County, Case No. CT2021-0050 15
apartment claimed she knew nothing about the firearm. She also claimed Dennis was
her boyfriend.
{¶47} A review of the record reveals that Dennis did not set forth any factual basis
for his contention that he had a defense to the charge. Accordingly, Dennis failed to set
forth a reasonable and legitimate basis for the withdrawal of his plea.
{¶48} The trial court did not abuse its discretion in overruling Dennis’s motion to
withdraw his plea of guilty.
{¶49} Dennis’s Second Assignment of Error is overruled.
III.
{¶50} In his Third Assignment of Error, Dennis argues the state breached its plea
agreement with him. Specifically, after agreeing to a joint recommendation that Dennis
receive a twelve-month sentence, the state informed the trial court before sentencing that
Dennis had time remaining on post-release control and indicated it would defer to the
court on that matter.
{¶51} The determination of whether there has been a breach of a valid plea
agreement rests within the sound discretion of the trial court. State v. Manko, 5th Dist.
Stark No. 2000CA00022, 2000 WL 1174226(Aug. 14, 2000) citing, State v. Mathews, 8
Ohio App.3d 145, 146, 456 N.E.2d 539(10th Dist. 1982).
{¶52} In the case at bar, Dennis concedes that he did not bring the error to the
attention of the trial court. [Appellant’s brief at 9]. He therefore asks this Court to review
this as plain error. Muskingum County, Case No. CT2021-0050 16
{¶53} Recently, the Ohio Supreme Court reviewed the plain error standard of
review to be utilized by appellate courts,
Under this standard, the defendant bears the burden of “showing that
but for a plain or obvious error, the outcome of the proceeding would have
been otherwise, and reversal must be necessary to correct a manifest
miscarriage of justice.” State v. Quarterman, 140 Ohio St.3d 464, 2014-
Ohio-4034, 19 N.E.3d 900, ¶ 16. An appellate court has discretion to notice
plain error and therefore “is not required to correct it.” Rogers at ¶ 23.
State v. West, Slip Op. No. 2020-0978, 2022-Ohio-1556, ¶ 22.
{¶54} Issue for appellate review: Whether the state breached its agreement with
Dennis resulting in a manifest miscarriage of justice.
{¶55} During the change of plea hearing, the following exchange occurred,
THE COURT: You understand, Mr. Dennis, that in exchange for your
plea of guilty, there is a joint recommendation that you be sentenced to
twelve months in prison? Is that your understanding of the joint
recommendation?
Plea T. at 8. The trial court further cautioned,
THE COURT: You understand this joint recommendation is not
binding on this Court and, at sentencing, I do not have to follow it?
Plea T. at 8. Muskingum County, Case No. CT2021-0050 17
{¶56} At sentencing, the state noted the joint recommendation for twelve months.
Sent. T. at 3. However, the state further remarked, that Dennis is on post-release control
and “it’s the Court’s discretion to impose that time or not. I had indicated I’ll defer to the
Court on that at the time of the plea.” Id.
{¶57} Trial courts are vested with discretion in implementing plea agreements.
Akron v. Ragsdale, 61 Ohio App.2d 107, 399 N.E.2d 119(9th Dist. 1978). A trial court
does not err by imposing a sentence greater than “that forming the inducement for the
defendant to plead guilty when the trial court forewarns the defendant of the applicable
penalties, including the possibility of imposing a greater sentence than that recommended
by the prosecutor.” State v. Pettiford, 12th Dist. Fayette No. CA2001-08-014, 2002-Ohio-
1914, at *3, citing State v. Darmour, 38 Ohio App.3d 160, 529 N.E. 2d 208(8th Dist. 1987);
State v. Bartram, 5th Dist. Fairfield No. 05CA106, 2006-Ohio-3505, ¶ 7. In fact, Crim.R.
11 “does not contemplate that punishment will be a subject of plea bargaining, this being
a matter either determined expressly by statute or lying with the sound discretion of the
trial court.” State v. Mathews, 8 Ohio App.3d 145, 146, 456 N.E.2d 539(10th Dist. 1982);
State v. Bartram, supra. Accord State v. Wickham, 5th Dist. Muskingum No. CT2006-
0084, 2007-Ohio-1754 ¶32.
{¶58} In the case at bar, Dennis was explicitly informed that the trial judge was
not bound by the twelve-month joint recommendation. The trial judge was informed
during the change of plea hearing that Dennis was on post-release control out of Franklin
County. Plea T. at 5. Dennis was informed prior to entering his plea of guilty that post-
release control could be terminated and any time imposed would be consecutive to the
twelve months. Muskingum County, Case No. CT2021-0050 18
{¶59} The state did in fact recommend a twelve-month sentence on the having
weapons while under disability charge. Sent. T. at 3. The trial court did in fact sentence
Dennis to twelve months for the having weapons while under disability charge. Sent. T.
at 12. Prior to imposing sentence, the trial court had the benefit of a Pre-sentence
Investigation Report listing Dennis’s prior offenses and prison sentences dating back to
2007. Sent. T. at 9.
{¶60} Based upon a thorough review of the record, we find the state did not breach
its plea agreement with Dennis. We further find that Dennis has failed to demonstrate
that a manifest miscarriage of justice occurred when the trial judge sentenced him to
serve the remaining 800 days for the violation of his post-release control consecutive to
the twelve-month sentence on the having weapons while under disability charge.
{¶61} Dennis’s Third Assignment of Error is overruled. Muskingum County, Case No. CT2021-0050 19
{¶62} The judgment of the Muskingum County Court of Common Pleas is
affirmed.
By Gwin, P.J.,
Hoffman, J., and
Baldwin, concur