State v. Lowery

2011 Ohio 2827

• Court: Ohio Court of Appeals
• Decided: June 10, 2011
• Docket: 24198
• Status: Published

Opinion

[Cite as State v. Lowery, 2011-Ohio-2827.]

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS FOR MONTGOMERY COUNTY, OHIO

STATE OF OHIO :

Plaintiff-Appellee : C.A. CASE NO. 24198

v. : T.C. NO. 06CR159

CHARLES B. LOWERY : (Criminal appeal from Common Pleas Court) Defendant-Appellant :

:

..........

OPINION

Rendered on the 10th day of June , 2011.

JOHNNA M. SHIA, Atty. Reg. No. 0067685, Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, 301 W. Third Street, 5th Floor, Dayton, Ohio 45422 Attorney for Plaintiff-Appellee

CHARLES B. LOWERY, #536057, Warren Correctional Institute, P. O. Box 120, Lebanon, Ohio 45036 Defendant-Appellant

KLINE, J. (by assignment)

{¶ 1} Charles B. Lowery (hereinafter “Lowery”) appeals the denial of his

motion for post-conviction relief. Lowery contends that counts three and four of his

indictment were defective, and, therefore, the trial court was without jurisdiction to 2

convict him. Lowery also contends that counts three and four of his indictment

were unconstitutional because they suffered from multiplicity. Because Lowery’s

petition was untimely filed, and because his claims are barred by res judicata, we

disagree. Accordingly, we affirm the judgment of the Montgomery County Court of

Common Pleas.

I

{¶ 2} On February 13, 2006, Lowery was indicted for two counts of

aggravated robbery with firearm specifications, one count of unlawful possession of

a dangerous ordnance, and one count of having weapons under a disability. The

weapons charges were severed from the robbery charges. A jury found Lowery

guilty on the robbery charges on July 12, 2006. Lowery pled guilty to the weapons

under a disability charge on September 5, 2006, and the state dismissed the

possession of a dangerous ordnance count.

{¶ 3} The trial court sentenced Lowery to two mandatory four-year terms on

the robbery charges and ordered that Lowery serve them consecutively. The trial

court merged the gun specifications and ordered that Lowery serve the associated

three-year term consecutive to the robbery sentences. The trial court also

sentenced Lowery to one year for the weapons under a disability charge, which

Lowery was to serve concurrently with his other sentences. In total, the trial court

sentenced Lowery to a prison term of eleven years.

{¶ 4} Lowery timely appealed his convictions. And the trial transcript was

filed in his direct appeal on March 7, 2007. This Court affirmed Lowery’s

conviction and sentence on December 7, 2007. See State v. Lowery, Montgomery 3

App. No. 21879, 2007-Ohio-6608.

{¶ 5} On May 5, 2010, approximately two years and two months after the

transcript was filed in Lowery’s direct appeal, Lowery filed a petition for

post-conviction relief. In his petition, Lowery alleged that his indictment was

defective. The trial court denied Lowery’s petition on July 13, 2010. The trial

court ruled that Lowery’s petition was untimely filed and that Lowery was not

unavoidably prevented from discovering the alleged defects in his indictment.

{¶ 6} Lowery appeals and asserts the following assignments of error: I.

“The judgement [sic] entered by the trial court and the Indictment returned by the

Grand Jury null and void for lack of Subject Matter Jurisdiction and for failure to

charge as defined by state statue [sic] an Aggravated Robbery offense, when it

failed to identify or name any ‘victim’ in the purposed [sic] Indictment.” (Underlining

sic). II. “The Judgement [sic] entered by the trial court and the Indictment returned

by the Grand Jury are null and void for lack of Subject Matter Jurisdiction and for

failure to charge as defined by State statue [sic] and Aggravated Robbery offense,

when it failed to include, in the Indictment, a ‘Theft offense.’” (Underlining sic). III.

“The State violated the Constitutional Ban against ‘Double Jeopardy’ when it

charged and convicted Appellant, in counts three (3) and four (4) of the purposed

[sic] Indictment, with two (2) identical Aggravated Robbery offenses, causing

indictment [sic] to suffer from ‘multi-plicity.’” (Underlining sic). And, IV.

“Montgomery County Common Pleas court erred when it denied Appellants [sic]

‘Petition for Post-Conviction Relief.’”

II 4

{¶ 7} Initially, we note that “[a]buse of discretion is the most prevalent

standard [of review] for reviewing the dismissal of a petition for post-conviction relief

without a hearing.” State v. Goldick, Montgomery App. No. 23690,

2010-Ohio-4394, at ¶9 (second alteration sic), quoting State v. Hicks, Highland

App. No. 09CA15, 2010-Ohio-89, at ¶10. An abuse of discretion connotes more

than a mere error of judgment; it implies that the court’s attitude is arbitrary,

unreasonable, or unconscionable. Blakemore v. Blakemore (1983), 5 Ohio St.3d

217, 219.

{¶ 8} We begin our analysis of Lowery’s claims with an overview of the time

period for filing a petition for post-conviction relief. We will then turn to Lowery’s

specific assignments of error.

A

{¶ 9} The time period to file a petition for post-conviction relief is governed

by R.C. 2953.21(A)(2), which provides: “Except as otherwise provided in section

2953.23 of the Revised Code, a petition [for post-conviction relief] shall be filed no

later than one hundred eighty [180] days after the date on which the trial transcript

is filed in the court of appeals in the direct appeal of the judgment of conviction or

adjudication[.]”

{¶ 10} “This provision [i.e., R.C. 2953.21(A)(2)] denies the common pleas

courts jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of an untimely petition, with but one

narrow exception.” State v. Harden, Montgomery App. No. 20803,

2005-Ohio-5580, at ¶9. R.C. 2953.23(A) sets forth this “narrow exception,” and it

provides, in relevant part, as follows: “Whether a hearing is or is not held on a 5

petition filed pursuant to [R.C. 2353.21], a court may not entertain a petition filed

after the expiration of the period prescribed in division (A) of that section or a

second petition or successive petitions for similar relief on behalf of a petitioner

unless * * * (1) Both of the following apply (a) Either the petitioner shows that the

petitioner was unavoidably prevented from discovery of the facts upon which the

petitioner must rely to present the claim for relief, or, subsequent to the period

prescribed in [R.C. 2953.21(A)(2)] or to the filing of an earlier petition, the United

States Supreme Court recognized a new federal or state right that applies

retroactively to persons in the petitioner’s situation, and the petition asserts a claim

based on that right. [And] (b) The petitioner shows by clear and convincing

evidence that, but for constitutional error at trial, no reasonable factfinder would

have found the petitioner guilty of the offense of which the petitioner was

convicted[.]”

{¶ 11} Here, Lowery filed his petition more than 180 days after the date on

which the trial transcript was filed in the court of appeals in his direct appeal. The

transcript in his direct appeal was filed on March 7, 2007. Therefore, Lowery’s

petition was due no later than September 3, 2007. Lowery’s May 5, 2010 filing

was clearly outside the 180-day window provided by R.C. 2953.21(A)(2).

{¶ 12} Additionally, Lowery has not satisfied the requirements to qualify for

the exception to the 180-day time period. Lowery has failed to show that he was

unavoidably prevented from discovery of the facts upon which he must rely to

present his claim for relief. Moreover, Lowery has not identified a new federal or

state right that applies retroactively to his situation. Thus, Lowery’s petition for 6

post-conviction relief was untimely.

{¶ 13} Lowery, however, asserts that the trial court’s lack of subject matter

jurisdiction may be raised at any time. We now turn to Lowery’s claim that he can

assert the trial court’s alleged lack of subject matter jurisdiction in his untimely-filed

petition.

B

{¶ 14} We will address Lowery’s first three assignments of error together.

Lowery bases his first, second, and third assignments of error on alleged defects in

counts three and four of his indictment, which were both aggravated robbery

counts. In his first and second assignments of error, Lowery claims the aggravated

robbery counts were defective because they each failed to identify a victim and to

charge a theft offense. In his third assignment of error, Lowery claims that counts

three and four of the indictment are defective because they are “identical.”

Appellant’s Brief at 6. Therefore, according to Lowery, the indictment suffered

from “multiplicity,” and as a result, Lowery claims he faced unconstitutional double

jeopardy.

{¶ 15} Lowery relies on State v. Cimpritz (1953), 158 Ohio St. 490, and he

argues that the defects in his indictment rendered his judgments of conviction void,

which left the trial court without jurisdiction to convict him. Thus, according to

Lowery, because subject matter jurisdiction can be raised at any time, he can raise

it in his untimely petition for post-conviction relief. Lowery’s argument is

misplaced.

{¶ 16} In Cimpritz, the Supreme Court of Ohio held that “[a] judgment of 7

conviction based on an indictment which does not charge an offense is void for lack

of jurisdiction of the subject matter and may be successfully attacked either on

direct appeal to a reviewing court or by a collateral proceeding.” Id. at paragraph

six of the syllabus.

{¶ 17} The Court, however, later clarified the holding in Cimpritz. In State v.

Wozniak (1961), 172 Ohio St. 517, the Court stated: “As stated in paragraph six of

the syllabus of [Cimpritz], ‘an indictment,’ such as that in the instant case, ‘which

does not charge an offense is void * * * and may be successfully attacked * * * by a

collateral proceedings [sic].’ However, after a judgment of conviction for the crime

sought to be charged in such indictment, such a collateral attack would no longer

be effective because the judgment of conviction necessarily binds a defendant,

where the court rendering it had jurisdiction of the person of the defendant and also

jurisdiction of the subject matter, i. e., jurisdiction to try the defendant for the crime

for which he was convicted. Such a judgment of conviction is necessarily binding

as between the state and the defendant and can only be set aside by a direct and

not a collateral attack.” Id. at 522-23 (emphasis added). See, also, Midling v.

Perrini (1968), 14 Ohio St.2d 106, 107 (“[T]he Cimpritz [sic] case involved a direct

appeal from the judgment of conviction and not a collateral attack on such a

judgment. Hence, it would have been sufficient to use the word ‘voidable’ instead

of ‘void’ in [paragraph six of the syllabus]. Also, no question with respect to a

collateral attack was involved in the case, so that any statement with respect

thereto may be disregarded.”).

{¶ 18} Thus, even assuming there was a defect in Lowery’s indictment, he 8

cannot raise the issue “at any time” based on the trial court’s alleged lack of subject

matter jurisdiction. Lowery raises no argument that the trial court lacked either

personal jurisdiction over him or jurisdiction to try him for the crime for which he was

convicted.

{¶ 19} Therefore, Lowery cannot raise the trial court’s alleged lack of

subject-matter jurisdiction, based on an allegedly defective indictment, in an

untimely petition for post-conviction relief. See State v. Chattams, Butler App. No.

CA2009-01-011, 2009-Ohio-6172, at ¶16. Lowery’s attempt to raise the issue of a

defective indictment, after the expiration of the time period to file a petition for

post-conviction relief, must fail. As detailed above, Lowery’s petition was untimely

filed, and his petition does not qualify for an exception to the 180-day time period to

file his petition.

{¶ 20} Additionally, Lowery’s arguments that his indictment was defective are

barred by the doctrine of res judicata. “The doctrine of res judicata establishes that

‘a final judgment of conviction bars the convicted defendant from raising and

litigating in any proceeding, except an appeal from that judgment, any defense or

any claimed lack of due process that was raised or could have been raised by the

defendant at the trial which resulted in that judgment of conviction or on an appeal

from that judgment.’” State v. D’Ambrosio (1995), 73 Ohio St.3d 141, 143, quoting

State v. Perry (1967), 10 Ohio St.2d 175, 180 (emphasis sic). Thus,

“[p]ostconviction review is a narrow remedy, because res judicata bars any claim

that was or could have been raised at trial or on direct appeal.” State v. Dean, 187

Ohio App.3d 495, 498, 2010-Ohio-1684, at ¶11. 9

{¶ 21} Whether an indictment is defective is an issue that could have been

raised on direct appeal. Lowery did not challenge the sufficiency of his indictment

at trial or on direct appeal. Therefore, res judicata bars Lowery’s attempt to raise

the issue of a defective indictment in his petition for post-conviction relief. See

State v. Tucker, Montgomery App. No. 23408, 2010-Ohio-2642, at ¶6 (“Whether the

indictment was defective is an issue that could have been raised by Defendant in

his direct appeal. It was not. Therefore, res judicata bars Defendant from now

raising that issue as a ground for post-conviction relief.”).

{¶ 22} Thus, Lowery’s petition for post-conviction relief was untimely.

Additionally, Lowery’s arguments are barred by the doctrine of res judicata.

Accordingly, we overrule Lowery’s first, second, and third assignments of error.

C

{¶ 23} In his fourth assignment of error, Lowery argues that the trial court

erred when it dismissed Lowery’s petition as untimely. Lowery argues that his

direct appeal was still pending when the 180-day time period under R.C.

2953.21(A)(2) expired. The transcript for Lowery’s direct appeal was filed on

March 7, 2007, and 180 days from that date was September 3, 2007. This Court

affirmed Lowery’s conviction on December 7, 2007. Presumably, Lowery claims

that the time period for filing his petition for post-conviction relief should have been

tolled while his direct appeal was pending.

{¶ 24} Lowery provides no authority that the pendency of a direct appeal

somehow tolls the time period to file a petition for post-conviction relief. In fact,

R.C. 2953.21(C) specifically provides that “[t]he [trial] court shall consider a petition 10

that is timely filed under division (A)(2) of this section even if a direct appeal of the

judgment is pending.” (Emphasis added).

{¶ 25} In any event, Lowery’s argument is moot because, even assuming the

180-day time period was tolled until December 7, 2007, Lowery’s petition was still

untimely. Lowery filed his petition for post-conviction relief on May 5, 2010, which

was well over 180 days after this Court decided Lowery’s direct appeal on

December 7, 2007. See State v. Roberson, Stark App. No. 2009CA00316,

2010-Ohio-3702, at ¶14 (“Assuming, arguendo, we accept Appellant’s suggestion

he was unavoidably prevented from being able to raise this claim within the 180 day

time limit while his direct appeal was still pending, his direct appeal was denied on

April 9, 2001. Therefore, even had we found the 180-day time limit was tolled

during the pendency of the direct appeal, Appellant’s attempt to raise the issue in

2009, is still far beyond 180 day time limit restarting April 9, 2001. We find the trial

court correctly ruled Appellant's petition was untimely.”)

{¶ 26} Thus, the trial court correctly denied Lowery’s petition for

post-conviction relief as untimely. And we overrule Lowery’s fourth assignment of

error.

III

{¶ 27} In conclusion, having overruled all of Lowery’s assignments of error,

we affirm the judgment of the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas.

FAIN, J. and DONOVAN, J., concur.

(Hon. Roger L. Kline, Fourth District Court of Appeals, sitting by assignment of the 11

Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Ohio).

Copies mailed to:

Johnna M. Shia Charles B. Lowery Hon. Dennis J. Langer