State v. Fryer

2015 Ohio 4573
Ohio Court of Appeals·Decided November 2, 2015·No. 15-CA-00013·Published·Cited by 7 cases

Opinion

COURT OF APPEALS

PERRY COUNTY, OHIO

FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT

JUDGES:

STATE OF OHIO : Hon. W. Scott Gwin, P.J.

: Hon. William B. Hoffman, J.

Plaintiff-Appellee : Hon. Sheila G. Farmer, J.

:

-vs- :

: Case No. 15-CA-00013 DOUGLAS L. FRYER :

:

Defendant-Appellant : OPINION

CHARACTER OF PROCEEDING: Criminal appeal from the Perry County Court of Common Pleas, Case No. 06-CR-

0060

JUDGMENT: Affirmed

DATE OF JUDGMENT ENTRY: November 2, 2015

APPEARANCES: For Plaintiff-Appellee For Defendant-Appellant

JOSPEH A. FLAUTT DOUGLAS L. FRYER PRO SE Perry County Prosecuting Attorney #A548-092 111 N. High Street, Box 569 Box 57 New Lexington, OH 43764 Marion, OH 43301

Gwin, P.J.

{¶1} Appellant Douglas L. Fryer ["Fryer"] appeals the May 20, 2015 Judgment Entry of the Perry County Court of Common Pleas denying his "Motion for Hearing."

Facts and Procedural History

{¶2} Fryer pleaded guilty to fifteen counts of Gross Sexual Imposition and the count of Rape on March 20, 2007.

{¶3} On April 17, 2007, Fryer was sentenced by the trial court and was found to be a sexual predator. This was pursuant to an agreement between the state and Fryer. The termination judgment entry was filed by the trial court on April 18, 2007.

{¶4} The court reviewed the Notice of Registration Duties of Sexually Oriented Offender or Child–Victim Offender. The form was signed by Fryer and filed with the court on April 7, 2007. Fryer did not file a direct appeal on any issues from either hearing.

{¶5} On March 12, 2014, Fryer filed a Motion to Correct Sentence. A request for an evidentiary hearing on Fryer’s classification as a sex offender was made therein. By entry filed June 6, 2014, the court granted the motion in part in accordance with Criminal Rule 32(C) and the Ohio Supreme Court’s decisions in State v. Baker, 119 Ohio St.3d 197, 893 N.E.2d 163 (2008) and State v. Lester, 130 Ohio St.3d 303, 2011– Ohio–5204, 958 N.E.2d 142. However, the trial court denied Fryer’s request for an evidentiary hearing. The nunc pro tunc termination entry was filed June 18, 2014.

{¶6} Fryer appealed the trial court's denial of his request for an evidentiary hearing. State v. Fryer, 5th Dist. Perry No. 14-CA-17, 2015-Ohio-509. ["Fryer I"]. In Fryer I, appointed counsel filed an appellate brief. Fryer I, ¶9 Appointed counsel raised

Perry County, Case No. 15-CA-00013 3

as his sole assignment of error, "“I. THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN REFUSING TO HOLD AN EVIDENTIARY HEARING AS TO APPELLANT’S STATUS AS A SEXUAL PREDATOR.” Fryer I, ¶7. Fryer himself filed a pro se brief, which in the interest of justice this Court considered. Fryer I, ¶12. Fryer raised as his sole assignment of error, “I. THE TRIAL COURT ERREED [SIC.] LIN [SIC.] TRYING AND CONVICTING OF CRIMES THAT WERE NOT SPECIFIC TO DISTINGUISH DIFFERENT CRIMES CHARGED DUE TO DUPLICITOUS INDICTMENT.” Fryer I, ¶13.

{¶7} This Court overruled counsel's and Fryer's pro se assignments of error and affirmed the June 6, 2014 judgment entry of the Perry County Court of Common Pleas. Fryer I, ¶26.

{¶8} On May 1, 2015, Fryer pro se filed a "Motion for Hearing" contending: he was not notified of his right to appeal during the original sentencing hearing; the trial court failed to properly notify him concerning post release controls; the trial court failed to conduct the classification hearing in accordance with R.C.2950.09(B)(2); and the nunc pro tunc judgment violates Crim.R. 32(C), State v. Baker, 119 Ohio St.3d 197, 893 N.E.2d 163 (2008) and State v. Lester, 130 Ohio St.3d 303, 2011–Ohio–5204, 958 N.E.2d 142.

{¶9} The state filed a response on May 18, 2015. By judgment entry filed May 20, 2015, the trial court denied Fryer's motion.

Assignments of error

{¶10} Fryer raises four assignments of error,

{¶11} "I. THE TRIAL COURT ERRED WHEN DISREGARDING STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS WHEN IT DID NOT COMPLY WITH 32(B).

{¶12} "II. THE TRIAL COURT ERRED WHEN IT DID NOT MAKE THE FINDINGS OR ADJUDICATION OF GUILT IN THE RECORDS.

{¶13} "III. THE TRIAL COURT ERRED WHEN IT DID NOT COMPLY WITH R.C.

2929.191 BY NOT HOLDING A HEARING WITH THE DEFENDANT PRESENT.

{¶14} "IV. THE TRIAL COURT ERRED WHEN THE COURT DISREGARDED AND FAILED TO EXERCISE ITS STATUTORILY REQUIRED DUTIES DURING THE DEFENDANTS [SIC.] ALLEGED CLASSIFICATION HEARING."

Pro se Appellants

{¶15} We understand that Fryer has filed this appeal pro se. Nevertheless, “like members of the bar, pro se litigants are required to comply with rules of practice and procedure.” Hardy v. Belmont Correctional Inst., 10th Dist. No. 06AP-116, 2006-Ohio- 3316, ¶ 9. See, also, State v. Hall, 11th Dist. No. 2007-T-0022, 2008-Ohio-2128, ¶11. We also understand that “an appellate court will ordinarily indulge a pro se litigant where there is some semblance of compliance with the appellate rules.” State v. Richard, 8th Dist. No. 86154, 2005-Ohio-6494, ¶4 (internal quotation omitted).

{¶16} In State v. Hooks, 92 Ohio St.3d 83, 2001-Ohio-150, 748 N.E.2d 528(2001), the Supreme Court noted, “a reviewing court cannot add matter to the record before it that was not a part of the trial court's proceedings, and then decide the appeal on the basis of the new matter. See, State v. Ishmail, 54 Ohio St.2d 402, 377 N.E.2d 500(1978).” It is also a longstanding rule "that the record cannot be enlarged by factual assertions in the brief." Dissolution of Doty v. Doty, 4th Dist.No. 411, 1980 WL 350992 (Feb. 28, 1980), citing Scioto Bank v. Columbus Union Stock Yards, 120 Ohio App. 55, 59, 201 N.E.2d 227(1963). New material and factual assertions contained in

Perry County, Case No. 15-CA-00013 5 any brief in this court may not be considered. See, North v. Beightler, 112 Ohio St.3d 122, 2006-Ohio-6515, 858 N.E.2d 386, ¶7, quoting Dzina v. Celebrezze, 108 Ohio St.3d 385, 2006-Ohio-1195, 843 N.E.2d 1202, ¶16. Therefore, we have disregarded facts and documents in both briefs that are outside of the record.

{¶17} In the interests of justice, we shall attempt to consider Fryer’s assignments of error.

I.

{¶18} In Fryer's first assignment of error, he argues that the trial court did not inform him of his right to appeal his conviction.

{¶19} Under Crim.R. 32(B), a trial court is required to notify the defendant of his appellate rights. At the plea hearing, the court asked the defendant if he understood that he was waiving all the rights aside of his right to appeal within thirty (30) days. Further, Fryer signed a plea of guilty form filed with the court on March 20, 2007. Included in the Plea of Guilty executed by Fryer is the language: "I understand my right to appeal a maximum sentence, my other limited appellate rights and that any appeal must be filed within thirty (30) days."

{¶20} Upon review of the record, we conclude that any harm that resulted from the trial court's failure to notify Fryer about his appellate rights has been remedied by this subsequent appeal. See, Fryer I. See, State v. Finch, 5th Dist. Licking No. 11 CA 6, 2011-Ohio-4273, ¶27; State v. Thompson, 4th Dist. Washington Nos. 10CA5, 10CA13, 2012-Ohio-3188. In Fryer I not only did Fryer have appointed counsel to file a brief, he himself filed a brief, which this Court considered.

{¶21} Fryer's first assignment of error is overruled.

Perry County, Case No. 15-CA-00013 6

II.

{¶22} In his second assignment of error, Fryer contends the trial court did not properly make a finding of guilty.

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