State v. Holin

880 N.E.2d 515, 174 Ohio App. 3d 1, 2007 Ohio 6255

• Court: Ohio Court of Appeals
• Decided: November 21, 2007
• Docket: No. 2007-L-028.
• Status: Published

Opinions

Diane V. Grendell, Judge.

{¶ 1} Defendant-appellant, Dawn Holin, appeals her conviction and sentence in the Lake County Court of Common Pleas, following the entry of a guilty plea to four counts of conspiracy to commit aggravated murder. For the following reasons, we affirm the decision of the court below.

{¶ 2} On June 16, 2006, Holin was indicted on two counts of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, felonies of the first degree in violation of R.C. 2923.32(A)(1), four counts of conspiracy to commit aggravated murder, felonies of the first degree in violation of R.C.2923.01(A)(1), four counts of conspiracy to commit aggravated arson, felonies of the second degree in violation of R.C. 2923.01(A)(1), and four counts of conspiracy to commit aggravated arson, felonies of the third degree in violation of R.C. 2923.01(A)(1). The indictments arose out of Holin’s involvement in a plot to Mil then North Perry Village Mayor Thomas Williams, North Perry Police Chief Denise Mercsak, North Perry Solicitor and Police Prosecutor Joseph M. Gurley, and Painesville Municipal Court Judge Michael A. Cicconetti, using pipe bombs. See State v. Holin, 11th Dist. No. 2006-L-170, 2007-Ohio-34, 2007 WL 37794, at ¶ 2-7.

{¶ 3} On December 4, 2006, Holin entered a negotiated plea agreement whereby she pleaded guilty to the four counts of conspiracy to commit aggravated murder. The trial court entered a nolle prosequi on the remaining counts of the indictment. By stipulation pursuant to R.C. 2923.01(F), the parties agreed that the conspiracy convictions would merge and Holin would be sentenced for only one count of conspiracy to commit aggravated murder.

{¶ 4} At the change-of-plea hearing, the trial judge asked Holin, “Although this may be your attorneys’ recommendation for you to plead guilty to these four charges, is this your own decision and voluntary act to do so?” Holin answered affirmatively. The judge also asked Holin, “Are you completely satisfied with the representation provided by your attorneys Terry Gilbert and Andrea Whitaker?” Holin answered affirmatively.

{¶ 5} The prosecutor detailed the evidence demonstrating Holin’s involvement in the plot to kill the North Perry officials and her voluntary statements to law-enforcement officers admitting her awareness of and complicity in the conspiracy to commit the murders. Specifically, the prosecutor stated that the evidence would show that Holin solicited, purchased, and paid for the gunpowder for the pipe bombs, that Holin assisted in acquiring the pipe and end caps, that Holin searched for and eventually located the appropriate wicks to make the bombs, and that Holin obtained the addresses of three of the intended victims. The trial judge then asked Holin whether the state’s recitation of the evidence was true. Holin answered affirmatively.

{¶ 6} On December 14, Holin filed a motion pro se for withdrawal of plea. Holin advised the court that she had dismissed Terry Gilbert as counsel and sought to withdraw her plea entered on December 4, 2006. Holin alleged that she had been misled and lied to about her case and that she and attorney Gilbert had had and continued to have “major differences and opinions concerning this case.”

{¶ 7} On January 4, 2007, a sentencing hearing was held, at which time Holin’s motion for withdrawal of plea was addressed. Holin explained before the court that a “difference of opinion” existed between her and trial counsel regarding whether she should enter a plea or take the case to trial. Holin wanted to take the case to trial because she was not guilty. Holin stated that she had entered the plea on December 4, 2006, because she was “pressured” by her attorney to do so.

{¶ 8} Holin then advised the court that she had dismissed her attorneys. The court construed Holin’s statement as a request to dismiss counsel and thereupon denied the request.

{¶ 9} The trial court sentenced Holin to a ten-year term of imprisonment for each count, the terms to be served concurrently with each other, and ordered Holin to pay costs.

{¶ 10} This appeal timely follows. Holin raises the following assignments of error:

{¶ 11} (1) “The trial court erred to the prejudice of the defendant-appellant by denying her presentence motion to withdraw her plea in violation of her due process rights as guaranteed by the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution and Sections 10 and 16, Article I of the Ohio Constitution.

{¶ 12} (2) “The trial court erred to the prejudice of the defendant-appellant when it denied her the right to dismiss her attorneys contrary to the Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution and Section 10, Article I of the Ohio Constitution.

{¶ 13} (3) “The trial court erred by sentencing the defendant-appellant to the maximum term of imprisonment.”

{¶ 14} In the first assignment of error, Holin challenges the trial court’s denial of her presentence motion to withdraw her guilty plea.

{¶ 15} The general rule in Ohio is that “[a] motion to withdraw a plea of guilty or no contest may be made only before sentence is imposed.” Crim.R. 32.1. “A defendant does not have an absolute right to withdraw a guilty plea prior to sentencing. 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. Xie (1992), 62 Ohio St.3d 521, 584 N.E.2d 715, at paragraph one of the syllabus. “The decision to grant or deny a presentence motion to withdraw a guilty plea is within the sound discretion of the trial court.” Id., at paragraph two of the syllabus.

{¶ 16} This court has often applied the four-factor test set forth in State v. Peterseim (1980), 68 Ohio App.2d 211, 22 O.O.3d 341, 428 N.E.2d 863, to determine whether a trial court has abused its discretion in denying a motion to withdraw a plea. State v. Story, 11th Dist. No. 2006-A-0085, 2007-Ohio-4959, 2007 WL 2759496, at ¶ 16; State v. Haney, 11th Dist. No. 2006-L-253, 2007-Ohio-3712, 2007 WL 2080291, at ¶ 12; State v. Bailey, 2004-P-0086, 2005-Ohio-6900, 2005 WL 3528900, at ¶ 26. Following Peterseim, a trial court does not abuse its discretion in denying a motion to withdraw a plea “(1) where the accused is represented by highly competent counsel, (2) where the accused was afforded a full hearing, pursuant to Crim. R. 11, before he entered the plea, (3) when, after the motion to withdraw is filed, the accused is given a complete and impartial hearing on the motion, and (4) where the record reveals that the court gave full and fair consideration to the plea withdrawal request.” 68 Ohio App.2d 211, 22 O.O.3d 341, 428 N.E.2d 863, at paragraph three of the syllabus.

{¶ 17} Holin’s argument is that “where there is a good reason to support the motion to withdraw, the failure to allow the motion must be deemed unreasonable.” As good reasons for the withdrawal of her plea, Holin cites the facts that she filed her motion to withdraw ten days after entering the plea, she was pressured by her attorneys to plead guilty, she has consistently maintained her innocence, she has a complete defense to the charges, and the state would not be prejudiced by the withdrawal. We disagree.

(¶ 18} Although the allegation that a defendant has entered a guilty plea under pressure from their attorneys may be grounds for granting a motion to withdraw a plea, the allegation, without more, does not compel that result. In the present case, the trial court thoroughly questioned Holin regarding the circumstances of the entry of her plea and concluded that her justification for withdrawing her plea was essentially a “change of heart.” Contrary to Holin’s allegations, her attorneys did not lie to her or mislead her. Rather, Holin conceded that a “difference of opinion” existed whether to enter a plea or take the case to trial. Holin stated that her attorneys told her that if she did not take the plea, her state trial would probably be postponed until after she was sentenced in federal court and the Lake County judge would probably order her sentence to be served consecutively with her federal sentence. Such advice from one’s trial counsel does not constitute undue influence over a defendant so as to provide justification for withdrawing a valid guilty plea. Story, 2007-Ohio-4959, 2007 WL 2759496, at ¶ 38 (“a change of heart is not sufficient to serve as the basis for a motion to withdraw a plea”), citing Haney, 2007-Ohio-3712, 2007 WL 2080291, at ¶ 19.

{¶ 19} Furthermore, the trial court noted that a full month passed from the time Holin advised the court that she intended to plead guilty until the change-of-plea hearing. Thus, Holin maintained her intention to plead guilty for a significant amount of time. This period of time allowed Holin to reflect on her decision and demonstrates that the decision to enter a plea was a considered decision, and not the result of sudden impulse or undue pressure.

{¶ 20} Likewise, Holin’s claim of innocence does not provide a reasonable basis for withdrawing the plea. Although she assisted in locating and purchasing the materials necessary to make pipe bombs, such as the powder, the pipes, and the end caps, and obtained the home addresses of some of the intended victims, Holin asserts that she was unaware of Sands’s intentions. This assertion is contradicted by Holin’s confession, in which she admitted that Sands informed her of his intention to make pipe bombs and kill certain public officials. Holin confirmed the validity of this evidence at her change-of-plea hearing. United States v. Barker (C.A.D.C.1975), 514 F.2d 208, 221 (“Were mere assertion of legal innocence always a sufficient condition for withdrawal, withdrawal would effectively be an automatic right”).

{¶ 21} On appeal, it was suggested that Holin’s will was overborne because of her borderline IQ of 73 and a history of abusive relationships with men. These arguments, which were not presented to the trial court, do not render the court’s decision an abuse of discretion. Prior to entering her guilty plea, Holin was evaluated to determine her competency to stand trial. The psychologist evaluating Holin administered the Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test 2, which yielded an IQ composite score of 73. Nevertheless, the psychologist concluded “with reasonable psychological certainty” that Holin “was able to discuss her case, legal consequences, and possible outcomes” and that “there is no reason for her not to have these abilities. That is, she has no identifiable serious mental illness or mental defect.” (Emphasis added). The psychologist further determined that Holin is capable of assisting in her defense and trusts her attorneys. “She has discussed legal strategy, and considers what her attorneys advise. She knows that she is the one who decides all decisions in her case, however.”

{¶ 22} Finally, under the four Peterseim factors, no basis exists for reversing the trial court’s denial of Holin’s motion to withdraw her plea. It is not contended that the trial court failed to conduct a proper change-of-plea hearing in accordance with Crim.R. 11, that Holin’s trial attorneys were less than competent, that the trial court conducted a hearing on the motion and allowed Holin to raise the arguments she wished to raise, or that the trial court failed to give careful consideration to Holin’s motion.

{¶ 23} For the foregoing reasons, Holin’s first assignment of error is without merit.

{¶ 24} Under the second assignment of error, Holin argues that the trial court erred by not allowing her to dismiss her trial attorneys. Although Holin advised the court that she had “fired” her attorneys in her motion for withdrawal plea, Holin’s counsel filed a sentencing memorandum on her behalf on December 22, 2004. The court ordered Holin’s attorneys to continue their representation during the remainder of the sentencing hearing.

{¶ 25} Whether a trial court errs by refusing to allow a defendant to discharge their counsel or seek substitute counsel has been reviewed under an abuse-of-discretion standard. E.g. State v. McNeill (1998), 83 Ohio St.3d 438, 452, 700 N.E.2d 596 (“It was within the trial court’s discretion to decline to replace appointed counsel”).

{¶ 26} The Ohio Supreme Court has held that before a defendant is entitled to discharge appointed counsel, “the defendant must show ‘a breakdown in the attorney-client relationship of such magnitude as to jeopardize the defendant’s right to effective assistance of counsel.’ ” State v. Coleman (1988), 37 Ohio St.3d 286, 292, 525 N.E.2d 792, quoting People v. Robles (1970), 2 Cal.3d 205, 215, 85 Cal.Rptr. 166, 466 P.2d 710. “Factors to consider in deciding whether a trial court erred in denying a defendant’s motion to substitute counsel include ‘the timeliness of the motion; the adequacy of the court’s inquiry into the defendant’s complaint; and whether the conflict between the attorney and client was so great that it resulted in a total lack of communication preventing an adequate de fense.’ ” State v. Jones, 91 Ohio St.3d 335, 342, 744 N.E.2d 1163, quoting United States v. Jennings (C.A.6 1996), 83 F.3d 145, 148.

{¶ 27} In the present case, the trial court did not abuse its discretion by-denying Holin’s request to dismiss her counsel in the course of a hearing. Holin’s dissatisfaction with counsel stemmed from their “difference of opinion” regarding the plea bargain, rather than counsels’ presentation of a defense in mitigation for sentencing. There is no evidence that Holin’s relationship with her attorneys had broken down to the point that her right to the effective assistance of counsel was jeopardized. Finally, Gilbert and Whitaker’s “forced” representation of Holin lasted only for a few minutes until the conclusion of the sentencing hearing, at which point Holin was appointed appellant counsel. In these circumstances, no valid reason existed to delay a sentencing hearing already begun solely for the purpose of allowing Holin to retain new counsel or proceed pro se.

{¶ 28} The second assignment of error is without merit.

(¶ 29} Under the third assignment of error, Holin argues that the trial court erred in imposing sentence, because it failed to give appropriate consideration to the following mitigating factors: Holin’s genuine remorse, her ignorance of Sands’ intention to cause harm, her low IQ, and the fact that she has been controlled and dominated throughout her life by abusive and/or alcoholic men.

{¶ 30} The overriding purposes of felony sentencing in Ohio “are to protect the public from future crime by the offender * * * and to punish the offender.” R.C. 2929.11(A). A sentencing court “has discretion to determine the most effective way to comply with the purposes and principles of sentencing.” R.C. 2929.12(A). “In exercising that discretion, the court shall consider the factors set forth in divisions (B) and (C) of this section relating to the seriousness of the conduct and the factors provided in divisions (D) and (E) of this section relating to the likelihood of the offender’s recidivism and, in addition, may consider any other factors that are relevant to achieving those purposes and principles of sentencing.” R.C. 2929.12(A).

{¶ 31} It is well established that R.C. 2929.12(A) does not require a sentencing court to make specific findings regarding the seriousness and recidivism factors. Ohio’s felony sentencing law requires the trial court only to “consider” the mitigating circumstances in the exercise of its discretion. State v. Glenn, 11th Dist. No. 2003-L-022, 2004-Ohio-2917, 2004 WL 1238346, at ¶ 47 (“A trial court is only required to consider mitigating factors” [emphasis sic]). Thus, the Ohio Supreme Court has characterized the mandate of R.C. 2929.12(A) as a “general judicial guide for every sentencing * * * granting] the sentencing judge discretion ‘to determine the most effective way to comply with the purposes and principles of sentencing.’ ” State v. Foster, 109 Ohio St.3d 1, 2006-Ohio-856, 845 N.E.2d 470, at ¶ 36-37, quoting the statute. “It is important to note that there is no mandate for judicial fact-finding in the general guidance statutes. The court is merely to ‘consider’ the statutory factors.” Id. at ¶ 42.

{¶ 32} In the present case, the court stated it was exercising its discretion “to determine the most effective way to comply with the purposes and principles of sentencing” and had “considered all relevant factors” including those set forth in R.C. 2929.12. The court noted that although there was one conspiracy, there were four intended victims and they suffered serious psychological harm. Although the progress of the conspiracy may have been directed by Sands, Holin willingly complied with his directions and thus her culpability is the same. The court observed that Holin’s criminal record is more extensive than Sands’s record. Finally, the court dwelt upon the significance of targeting public officials for murder. “If public officials are targeted for the proper execution of their duties, then the intimidation or retaliation will have a chilling effect on the performance of that duty.” In particular, “judges have to be free from inappropriate influences of fear, coercion and intimidation * * * and this is critical and fundamental to the existence of an independent judiciary.”

{¶ 33} The trial judge imposed a ten-year prison sentence for each count, the maximum sentence for a first degree felony. R.C. 2929.14(A).

{¶ 34} We find no error in the sentence imposed. Contrary to Holin’s position, the trial court is not obligated, in the exercise of its discretion, to give any particular weight or consideration to any sentencing factor. Provided that the sentencing court duly considers the appropriate sentencing factors, it has full discretion to impose a sentence within the statutory range. State v. Anderson, 11th Dist. No. 2006-L-274, 2007-Ohio-5224, 2007 WL 2822760, at ¶ 11; Haney, 2007-Ohio-3712, 2007 WL 2080291, at ¶ 29.

{¶ 35} The third assignment of error is without merit.

{¶ 36} Holin’s assignments of error are without merit. The judgment of the Lake County Court of Common Pleas, denying Holin’s motions to withdraw her guilty plea and dismiss counsel and imposing sentence, is affirmed.

Judgment affirmed.

Trapp, J., concurs. O’Toole, J., dissents.