State v. Fields

2024 Ohio 1426

• Court: Ohio Court of Appeals
• Decided: April 12, 2024
• Docket: CT2023-0094
• Status: Published

Opinion

[Cite as State v. Fields, 2024-Ohio-1426.]

COURT OF APPEALS MUSKINGUM COUNTY, OHIO FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT

STATE OF OHIO JUDGES: Hon. Patricia A. Delaney, P.J. Plaintiff-Appellee Hon. John W. Wise, J. Hon. Craig R. Baldwin, J. -vs- Case No. CT2023-0094 GERALD D. FIELDS

Defendant-Appellant OPINION

CHARACTER OF PROCEEDING: Criminal Appeal from the Court of Common Pleas, Case No. CR2019-0123

JUDGMENT: Dismissed

DATE OF JUDGMENT ENTRY: April 12, 2024

APPEARANCES:

For Plaintiff-Appellee For Defendant-Appellant

RONALD WELCH GERALD D. FIELDS PROSECUTING ATTORNEY PRO SE JOSEPH A. PALMER NOBLE CORRECTIONAL INSTITUION ASSISTANT PROSECUTOR 15708 McConnelsville Road 27 North Fifth Street Caldwell, Ohio 43724-8902 Zanesville, Ohio 43702 «Court» County, Case No. «Case_No» 2

Wise, J.

{¶1} Defendant-Appellant Gerald Fields appeals the Muskingum County Court

of Common Pleas November 14, 2023, Entry finding the $7,700.00 in this case to be

abandoned and ordering it to be released and distributed in equal shares to the

Muskingum County Prosecutor’s Office and the Zanesville Police Department.

{¶2} Plaintiff-Appellee is the State of Ohio.

STATEMENT OF THE FACTS AND CASE

{¶3} The relevant facts and procedural history are as follows:

{¶4} In February of 2019, Appellant was indicted on several counts, including

counts for trafficking in drugs for both cocaine and marijuana. Each of the counts had a

forfeiture specification with regard to, inter alia, $7,700.00 in cash seized from a

pillowcase during a search of Appellant's residence.

{¶5} The record in this case indicates that during the criminal trial Appellant

called Misty Roe, his girlfriend at the time, to testify on his behalf. Ms. Roe testified as

follows with regard to the seized funds:

Q: Okay. There was three bundles of U.S. currency located in a

pillowcase. Are you aware of that?

A: Yeah.

Q: Whose pillow –

A: Mine.

Q: -- and pillowcase was that?

A: My pillowcase.

Q: Do you sleep on it? Muskingum County, Case No. CT2023-0094 3

A: Yes, sir.

Q: What's that money from?

A: It was from my checks, and I just got my tax money back.

{¶6} While Ms. Roe further testified that the money was jointly hers and

Appellant's, the record before this Court shows that she did not waver in her testimony

that the money was derived solely from her checks and her tax return.

{¶7} On June 5, 2019, the jury found Appellant guilty of drug possession, drug

trafficking, and the illegal manufacture of drugs. However, with regard to the forfeiture

specifications, the jury verdict form stated: “We, the jury, find that the Seven Thousand

Seven Hundred ($7,700.00) in lawful U.S. Currency IS NOT subject to forfeiture to the

State of Ohio.” (Emphasis original.) Appellee argued that, based upon the jury form and

the jury's refusal to find the money subject to forfeiture despite Appellant's guilt, the jury

did not believe that the money belonged to Appellant, but rather, believed that it belonged

to Ms. Roe.

{¶8} On June 6, 2019, the trial court issued a judgment entry finding Appellant

guilty of possession of drugs (cocaine), possession of drugs (marijuana), trafficking in

cocaine, trafficking in marijuana, and illegal manufacture of drugs (cocaine). Additionally,

the judgment entry specifically provided that “the jury found the seven thousand seven

hundred dollars ($7,700) was not subject to forfeiture to the State of Ohio.”

{¶9} Appellant filed a direct appeal challenging his conviction and sentence, and

this Court affirmed the decision in State v. Fields, 5th Dist. Muskingum No. CT2019-0073,

2020-Ohio-3995. The State of Ohio did not file a cross-appeal with regard to the jury's

finding that the $7,700.00 seized from Appellant's home was not subject to forfeiture. Muskingum County, Case No. CT2023-0094 4

{¶10} In November and December of 2019, Appellant filed a motion for return of

property and a motion for judgment on the pleadings in the criminal matter. Additionally,

he filed a motion to release and return “unlawfully held property” in July of 2020. The trial

court denied all three of Appellant's motions on September 21, 2020, none of which

Appellant appealed.

{¶11} On September 28, 2020, Appellant filed a complaint/petition for a writ of

mandamus against the trial court judge, the Muskingum County Court of Common Pleas,

and the Zanesville Police Department requesting that this Court order the trial court judge

and/or the Zanesville Police Department to release to his agent the $7,700.00 in cash.

The trial court judge, the Muskingum County Court of Common Pleas, and the Zanesville

Police Department filed a motion to dismiss Appellant's petition based upon the sole

argument that Appellant was not entitled to a writ of mandamus because he had an

adequate remedy at law - appealing the decisions of the trial court denying his motions

to return property.

{¶12} In Fields v. Cottrill, 5th Dist. Muskingum No. CT2020-0046, 2020-Ohio-

5163, this Court granted the motion to dismiss the mandamus petition. However, we did

not find persuasive or adopt the reasoning advanced by the respondents that Appellant's

adequate remedy at law was to appeal the decisions of the trial court denying his motions

to return property. Rather, we held that “Fields has an adequate remedy at law that

precludes the issuance of a writ of mandamus. This adequate remedy is an action in

replevin.” Id. at ¶ 6. We based our determination upon this Court's holding in State v.

Young, 5th Dist. Richland No. CA-2810, 1991 WL 87203 (May 3, 1991), which held that

a trial court does not have jurisdiction to hear a defendant's motion to return property after Muskingum County, Case No. CT2023-0094 5

the judgment of conviction and sentence, and that, in order to reclaim possession of

property, the defendant's proper remedy was to file an action in replevin, stating that

“when the police seized Appellant's property, they effectively became bailees of the

property and remain as such unless and until [Appellant] commence[s] a forfeiture

proceeding * * *.” Id. at 1. We also cited in our mandamus decision the Ohio Supreme

Court case of State ex rel. Johnson v. Kral, 153 Ohio St.3d 231, 2018-Ohio-2382, 103

N.E.3d 814, in which the Supreme Court affirmed the court of appeals’ dismissal of a

complaint for writ of mandamus and found that the relator had an adequate remedy at

law for the return of property held by the Toledo Police Department, which was filing an

action for replevin. Id. at ¶ 5.

{¶13} On March 5, 2021, Appellant commenced an action in replevin by filing a

motion for order of possession and affidavit in support of motion for order of possession

against Dennis M. Haddox, Prosecuting Attorney, and the Zanesville Police Department.

On March 12, 2021, Appellees in that action filed a joint motion for summary judgment,

arguing that they were entitled to summary judgment because Appellant's replevin

complaint was barred by the doctrine of res judicata since he failed to appeal the trial

court's judgment entries in the criminal matter denying his motions for return of property.

Appellant filed a reply in opposition to the motion for summary judgment.

{¶14} On June 4, 2021, the trial court issued a judgment entry granting the

Appellees’ motion for summary judgment and dismissing Appellant's replevin complaint,

specifically finding that the doctrine of res judicata prevented Appellant from collaterally

attacking the decision of the trial court in a replevin action because he failed to appeal

the decisions of the trial court denying his prior motions for return of property. Muskingum County, Case No. CT2023-0094 6

{¶15} Appellant appealed the June 4, 2021, judgment entry, arguing that the trial

court erred in applying res judicata to bar his replevin claim when no judgment had been

rendered regarding the $7,700.00.

{¶16} On November 2, 2021, this Court reversed the trial court's decision, finding

that it erred in granting summary judgment on the basis of res judicata, and remanded

the case to the trial court to address and rule on any motions and arguments by the

parties.

{¶17} On November 30, 2021, Appellant filed a motion for leave to amend

complaint instanter to substitute the County of Muskingum as a defendant in place of

Dennis M. Haddox, Prosecuting Attorney, and to add a claim for conversion to the replevin

action. The trial court did not rule upon the motion for leave to amend.

{¶18} On December 13, 2021, Appellant filed a motion for an order of possession

seeking an order from the trial court that Appellees be directed to deliver the full $7,700.00

to his agent, Bonny Mummy. Appellant attached an affidavit to his motion for an order of

possession in which he, inter alia, attested that he had a 100% interest in the monies.

The trial court did not rule on the motion for an order of possession.

{¶19} On December 13, 2021, Appellant also filed a motion for summary

judgment, in which he argued that he was entitled to possession of the $7,700.00, and to

which he only attached unauthenticated copies of computer printouts that allegedly

established his damages. Appellant failed to attach any evidentiary quality materials to

his motion for summary judgment as required by Civ.R. 56(C). Muskingum County, Case No. CT2023-0094 7

{¶20} Appellees both filed briefs in opposition to Appellant's motion for summary

judgment, and also filed their own respective motions for summary judgment. Briefs in

opposition and reply briefs in support were filed by all parties.

{¶21} On April 6, 2022, the trial court issued a journal entry scheduling the matter

for a bench trial on June 23, 2022. Appellant did not file a motion with the trial court

requesting transport to the court for purposes of attending the trial, nor did he file a motion

to appear for the trial via electronic means.

{¶22} On June 24, 2022, the trial court issued a journal entry stating that the bench

trial went forward as scheduled, that counsel for Appellees appeared, and that Appellant

failed to appear. The trial court stated further that the parties had until August 31, 2022,

to present written arguments regarding their position, and that all parties would have thirty

days within which to file a response.

{¶23} On July 28, 2022, Appellant filed a brief regarding his replevin and

conversion claims, to which he attached a copy of the journal entry from his criminal case

denying his motion for return of property, and an unauthenticated copy of an inspection

report from the City of Zanesville setting forth various code violations for his real property,

which he argued he cannot remedy due to Appellees’ refusal to return the $7,700.00 to

his agent. Appellees filed briefs in response.

{¶24} On March 22, 2023, the trial court issued three separate judgment entries;

two judgment entries granted the motions for summary judgment filed by Appellees, and

the third judgment entry denied Appellant's motion for summary judgment. Muskingum County, Case No. CT2023-0094 8

{¶25} Appellant filed an appeal to this Court arguing the trial court erred in denying

his motion for summary judgment and in granting Appellees’ motions for summary

judgment.

{¶26} By Opinion and Entry filed August 25, 2023, this Court affirmed the decision

of the trial court. See Fields v. Zanesville Police Dept., 5th Dist. Muskingum No. CT2023-

0021, 2023-Ohio-2988, ¶ 22.

{¶27} On October 12, 2023, the State of Ohio filed an Application for Release and

Distribution of Abandoned Funds.

{¶28} On October 30, 2023, Appellant filed an Objection to the State’s Application

for Release and Distribution of Abandoned Funds.

{¶29} By Judgment Entry filed November 14, 2023, the trial court granted the

Application, finding the $7,700.00 in U.S. Currency has been abandoned and ordered

that said funds shall be released and distributed in equal shares to the Muskingum County

Prosecutor's Office and the Zanesville Police Department.

{¶30} Appellant filed a timely appeal from the trial court’s decision.

{¶31} On December 27, 2023, the State of Ohio filed a Motion to Dismiss for Lack

of Standing by Appellant.

{¶32} By Entry filed January 15, 2024, this Court took the motion under

advisement.

{¶33} Appellant now appeals, raising the following assignments of error for review:

ASSIGNMENTS OF ERROR

{¶34} “I. THE TRIAL COURT LACKED SUBJECT MATTER JURISDICTION TO

CONSTRUCTIVELY FORFEIT MR. FIELDS’ $7,700 IN U.S. CURRENCY.” Muskingum County, Case No. CT2023-0094 9

{¶35} As a preliminary matter, the instant case is before this Court upon the

accelerated calendar pursuant to App.R. 11.1(E), which provides in pertinent part: “The

appeal will be determined as provided by App.R. 11.1. It shall be sufficient compliance

with App.R. 12(A) for the statement of the reason for the court's decision as to each error

to be in brief and conclusionary form.”

{¶36} One of the important purposes of the accelerated calendar is to enable an

appellate court to render a brief and conclusory decision more quickly than in a case on

the regular calendar where the briefs, facts, and legal issues are more complicated. State

v. Montgomery, 5th Dist. No. 2017CA00035, 2017-Ohio-4397, 93 N.E.3d 185, ¶ 8, citing

Crawford v. Eastland Shopping Mall Assn., 11 Ohio App.3d 158, 463 N.E.2d 655 (10th

Dist. 1983).

{¶37} This appeal shall be considered in accordance with the aforementioned

rules.

I.

{¶38} In his sole assignment of error, Appellant argues the trial court lacked

subject matter jurisdiction in this matter. We disagree.

{¶39} More specifically, Appellant argues the trial court did not have jurisdiction to

consider the State of Ohio’s Application for Release and Distribution of Abandoned Funds

because it presided over the civil action.

{¶40} In State ex rel. Reynolds v. Kirby, 172 Ohio St.3d 273, 2023-Ohio-782, 223

N.E.3d 417, the Ohio Supreme Court stated:

The Ohio Constitution provides, ‘The courts of common pleas and

divisions thereof shall have such original jurisdiction over all justiciable Muskingum County, Case No. CT2023-0094 10

matters * * * as may be provided by law.” Article IV, Section 4(B). The

“provided by law” qualification means that there must be a statutory basis

for jurisdiction. R.C. 2931.03 and 2305.01 give common pleas courts

jurisdiction over all but the most minor criminal offenses and civil cases. We

have held that “the court of common pleas is a court of general jurisdiction,

with subject matter jurisdiction that extends to ‘all matters at law and in

equity that are not denied to it.’ ” Bank of Am., N.A. v. Kuchta, 141 Ohio

St.3d 75, 2014-Ohio-4275, 21 N.E.3d 1040, ¶ 20, quoting Saxton v.

Seiberling, 48 Ohio St. 554, 558-559, 29 N.E. 179 (1891).

{¶41} Here, the trial court clearly had subject-matter jurisdiction over Appellant's

criminal case under R.C. §2931.03, which gives common pleas courts subject-matter

jurisdiction over felony cases. Appellant has not identified any statute that removed the

trial court's jurisdiction.” Id. at ¶ 9, citing Ohio High School Athletic Assn. v. Ruehlman,

157 Ohio St.3d 296, 2019-Ohio-2845, 136 N.E.3d 436, ¶ 9 (“when we have found that a

court of common pleas patently and unambiguously lacks jurisdiction, it is almost always

because a statute explicitly removed that jurisdiction”). While Appellant attempts to

challenge the Court’s authority in jurisdictional terms, he fails to point to any authority

supporting his claim that the trial court had lacked jurisdiction over the civil action or the

criminal case.

{¶42} We further find that Appellant lacks standing to challenge the trial court’s

order.

{¶43} Standing is “a jurisdictional requirement; a party's lack of standing vitiates

the party's ability to invoke the jurisdiction of a court - even a court of competent subject- Muskingum County, Case No. CT2023-0094 11

matter jurisdiction - over the party's attempted action.” Bank of Am., N.A. v. Kuchta, 141

Ohio St.3d 75, 2014-Ohio-4275, 21 N.E.3d 1040, ¶ 22. A “determination of standing

necessarily looks to the rights of the individual parties to bring the action, as they must

assert a personal stake in the outcome of the action in order to establish standing.” Kuchta

at ¶ 23, citing Ohio Pyro, Inc. v. Ohio Dept. of Commerce, 115 Ohio St.3d 375, 2007-

Ohio-5024, 875 N.E.2d 550, ¶ 27. “Lack of standing is certainly a fundamental flaw that

would require a court to dismiss the action * * *.” Id., citing Fed. Home Loan Mtge. Corp.

v. Schwartzwald, 134 Ohio St.3d 13, 2012-Ohio-5017, 979 N.E.2d 1214, ¶ 40.

{¶44} Here, both this Court and the Muskingum County Common Pleas Court

have determined that the $7,700 at issue in this case did not belong to Appellant. See

Fields v. Zanesville Police Dept., 5th Dist. Muskingum No. CT2023-0021, 2023-Ohio-

2988. We therefore find Appellee State of Ohio’s motion to dismiss for lack of standing

well-taken.

{¶45} Accordingly, Appellant's appeal is dismissed.

By: Wise, J.

Delaney, P. J., and

Baldwin, J., concur.

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