State v. Messenger

2011 Ohio 2017

• Court: Ohio Court of Appeals
• Decided: April 22, 2011
• Docket: 10CA34
• Status: Published

Opinion

[Cite as State v. Messenger , 2011-Ohio-2017.]

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO FOURTH APPELLATE DISTRICT ATHENS COUNTY

STATE OF OHIO, : : Plaintiff-Appellee, : Case No. 10CA34 : vs. : Released: April 22, 2011 : MATTHEW T. MESSENGER, : DECISION AND JUDGMENT : ENTRY Defendant-Appellant. : _____________________________________________________________ APPEARANCES:

Matthew T. Messenger, Chillicothe, Ohio, Appellant, pro se.

C. David Warren, Athens County Prosecuting Attorney, and George J. Reitmeier, Athens County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, Athens, Ohio, for Appellee. _____________________________________________________________

McFarland, J.:

{¶1} This is an appeal from an Athens County Court of Common

Pleas judgment entry, issued after holding a re-sentencing hearing in order to

properly impose a mandatory five-year term of post release control. On

appeal, Appellant contends in his first through third assignments of error that

his conviction and sentence are void for failure to comply with statutory

requirements, and claims that he was thus deprived of his constitutional

rights to due process. Further, in his fourth and fifth assignments of error

Appellant contends that the trial court lacked jurisdiction to impose Athens App. No. 10CA34 2

mandated post release control and that his sentence should be reversed

because it was imposed over six years after his guilty plea was entered.

{¶2} In light of our conclusion that Appellant was informed during the

sentencing hearing that the five-year term of post release control was

mandatory, not discretionary, the proper remedy was to add the omitted post

release control language in a nunc pro tunc entry after a hearing. As such,

Appellant’s first, second and third assignments of error are overruled. With

respect to Appellant’s fourth assignment of error, as Appellant had not yet

been released from prison at the time of his re-sentencing hearing, the trial

court did not err in re-sentencing Appellant to properly impose mandatory

post release control. Finally, with respect to Appellant’s fifth assignment of

error, we conclude there was no unnecessary delay in imposing sentence.

Thus, Appellant’s fourth and fifth assignments of error are also overruled.

Accordingly, the decision of the trial court is affirmed.

FACTS

{¶3} On May 24, 2004, a combined plea and sentencing hearing was

held wherein Appellant pled guilty to five counts of rape in violation of R.C.

2907.02(A)(1)(b), all first degree felonies. During both the plea hearing and

the sentencing hearing, Appellant was correctly advised that he would be

subject to a mandatory five-year period of post release control However, the Athens App. No. 10CA34 3

judgment entry issued on June 3, 2004, incorrectly stated that “post-release

control is optional in this case up to a maximum of five (5) years[.]”

{¶4} On April 14, 2010, Appellant filed a motion to impose a valid

sentence. In response, on June 2, 2010, a re-sentencing hearing was held

wherein the trial court “re-affirmed its findings and sentence from the earlier

hearing except that it modified the order regarding Post-Release Control.”

A judgment entry was filed on June 4, 2010, and it is from this entry that

Appellant brings his timely appeal, assigning the following errors for our

review.

ASSIGNMENTS OF ERROR

“I. JUDGEMENT OF CONVICTION AND SENTENCE ARE VOID FOR FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS AND THUS THE ACCUSED HAS BEEN DEPRIVED OF HIS RIGHTS TO DUE PROCESS IN VIOLATION OF THE 5TH, 6TH, AND 14TH AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES.

II. JUDGEMENT OF CONVICTION AND SENTENCE ARE VOID FOR FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS AND THUS THE ACCUSED HAS BEEN DEPRIVED OF HIS RIGHTS TO DUE PROCESS IN VIOLATION OF THE 5TH, 6TH, AND 14TH AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES.

III. JUDGEMENT OF CONVICTION AND SENTENCE ARE VOID FOR FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS AND THUS THE ACCUSED HAS BEEN DEPRIVED OF HIS RIGHTS TO DUE PROCESS IN VIOLATION OF THE 5TH, 6TH, AND 14TH AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES. Athens App. No. 10CA34 4

IV. THE TRIAL COURT LACKED JURISDICTION TO IMPOSE MANDATED POST-RELEASE CONTROL UPON THE APPELLANT.

V. THE SENTENCE SHOULD BE REVERSED AS IT VIOLATES CRIMINAL RULE 32, AND THE 5TH, 6TH, AND 14TH AMENDMENTS OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES, BECAUSE IT WAS IMPOSED OVER 6 YEARS AFTER THE GUILTY PLEA.”

ASSIGNMENTS OF ERROR I, II AND III

{¶5} In his first, second, and third assignments of error, Appellant

contends that his judgment of conviction and sentence are void as a result of

the trial court’s failure to comply with statutory requirements in imposing

post release control. He claims that, as a result, he was deprived of his rights

to due process under the 5th, 6th and 14th Amendments of the United States

Constitution. In raising this argument, Appellant alleges that 1) the sentence

purportedly imposed was void; 2) the trial court lacked jurisdiction to

impose a mandated five-year term of post release control at the re-sentencing

hearing; and 3) that the trial court erred by holding a re-sentencing hearing

instead of vacating the sentence and holding a full de novo sentencing

hearing.

{¶6} By enacting R.C. 2929.191, effective date July 11, 2006, the

legislature promulgated a statutory remedy for trial courts to use to correct

an error in imposing post release control. State v. Singleton, 124 Ohio St.3d Athens App. No. 10CA34 5

173, 2009-Ohio-6434, 920 N.E.2d 958, at ¶ 1. In Singleton, the Supreme

Court of Ohio reasoned as follows with respect to the retroactive application

of R.C. 2929.191:

“for sentences imposed prior to July 11, 2006, in which a trial court failed to properly impose postrelease control, trial courts shall conduct a de novo sentencing hearing in accordance with decisions of the Supreme Court of Ohio. However, for criminal sentences imposed on and after July 11, 2006, in which a trial court failed to properly impose postrelease control, trial courts shall apply the procedures set forth in R.C. 2929.191.” Singleton at ¶ 1.

Thus, Singleton holds that R.C. 2929.191 applies only prospectively and

essentially provides that if a trial court fails to properly impose post release

control, after a hearing, it may issue a nunc pro tunc entry correcting the

error.

{¶7} Appellant herein was sentenced prior to the effective date of

R.C. 2929.191. Thus, the reasoning set forth in Singleton would seem to

dictate that the trial court conduct a de novo sentencing hearing. However,

the Supreme Court of Ohio recently modified its position on the type of

hearing that must be conducted to correct an error related to the imposition

of post release control. In State v. Fischer, 128 Ohio St.3d 92, 2010-Ohio-

6238, 942 N.E.2d 332, at paragraphs one and two of the syllabus, the Court

held that a sentence that does not include the statutorily mandated term of

post release control is void and that the new sentencing hearing to which an Athens App. No. 10CA34 6

offender is entitled under State v. Bezak, 114 Ohio St.3d 94, 2007-Ohio-

3250, 868 N.E.2d 961, is limited to the proper imposition of post release

control. In further explaining its holding, the Fischer Court stated that

“when a judge fails to impose statutorily mandated postrelease control as

part of a defendant’s sentence, that part of the sentence that is void and must

be set aside. Neither the Constitution nor common sense commands

anything more.” Fischer at ¶ 26.

{¶8} Further, based on facts identical to the facts sub judice, in State

v. Qualls, Meigs App. No. 10CA8, 2010-Ohio-5316, at ¶ 13, this Court drew

a distinction between failing to properly notify an offender of a mandatory

term of post release control during the sentencing hearing and failing to

properly include that term in the sentencing entry. In Qualls, we reasoned

that because the trial court properly imposed post release control at the

sentencing hearing, but simply failed to properly include it in the sentencing

entry, the proper remedy was to add the omitted post release control

language in a nunc pro tunc entry after a hearing. Id. Thus, we essentially

reasoned that because Appellant received the proper notice at the sentencing

hearing, his sentence was not void. Rather, the failure of the sentencing

entry to accurately reflect the imposition of post release control was a

clerical error capable of correction. As set forth above, our review of the Athens App. No. 10CA34 7

record clearly demonstrates that although Appellant’s original sentencing

entry did not include a mandatory term of post release control, Appellant

was advised during his original sentencing hearing that he would be subject

to a mandatory five-year term of post release control.

{¶9} Here, Appellant was conveyed from prison to attend a re-

sentencing hearing, and was accompanied by his attorney during that

hearing. The trial court’s sentencing entry issued after the hearing properly

included language indicating that the five-year term of post release control

was mandatory. The entry also stated that “[t]he Court re-affirmed its

findings and sentence from the earlier hearing except that it modified the

order regarding Post-Release control.” As such, we conclude that the trial

court’s actions in conducting a hearing and issuing a corrected journal entry

properly remedied the omission in the original sentencing entry and were in

accordance with State v. Qualls, supra, as well as State v. Fischer, supra.

See also, State ex rel. Carnail v. McCormick, 126 Ohio St.3d 124, 2010-

Ohio-2671, 931 N.E.2d 110 (granting writ of mandamus compelling trial

court judge to issue a sentencing entry that complies with post release

control provisions of R.C. 2967.28); State v. Harrison, Butler App. No.

CA2009-10-272 and CA2010-01-019, 2010-Ohio-2709 at ¶22-23 (reasoning

that where defendant was properly advised of post release control term at Athens App. No. 10CA34 8

sentencing hearing, error in original entry was clerical and nunc pro tunc

entry may be used to correct clerical mistake).

{¶10} We do note, however, that we recently certified a conflict to the

Supreme Court of Ohio between our decisions in State v. Qualls and State v.

Lee, Lucas App. No. L-09-1279, 2010-Ohio-1704, where, based on the same

facts, the court concluded that an omission in the sentencing entry could not

be remedied with a nunc pro tunc entry and instead required a de novo

sentencing hearing.1 Nonetheless, in an effort to adhere to precedent, our

decision today is consistent with our prior reasoning in State v. Qualls,

supra. Accordingly, Appellant’s first, second and third assignments of error

are overruled.

ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR IV

{¶11} In his fourth assignment of error, Appellant contends that as he

already completed the first two of five consecutive three year prison terms,

the trial court was without jurisdiction to impose a mandatory five year term

of post release control as to those two convictions and sentences. In support

of his contention, Appellant argues that a trial court may not correct an

erroneous sentence once an offender’s sentence has been completed. He

also argues that the error in the sentencing entry rendered his sentences void.

1 In light of the recent holding in State v. Fischer, supra, however, State v. Lee would now be incorrect to the extent that it demands a de novo sentencing hearing. Athens App. No. 10CA34 9

{¶12} The record before us reveals that Appellant pled guilty to five

counts of rape and was sentenced to three year prison terms on each count,

to be served consecutively, for an aggregate term of fifteen years. In

addition, Appellant was notified twice at his combined plea and sentencing

hearing that he would be subject to a mandatory five-year term of post

release control. However, the original sentencing entry mistakenly stated

that post release control was “optional in this case up to a maximum of five

(5) years[.]”

{¶13} In light of our reasoning with respect to Appellant’s first three

assignments of error that where Appellant was properly advised of

mandatory post release control in the sentencing hearing, that such a mistake

was essentially clerical and could be corrected by the trial court, we disagree

with Appellant’s contention that his sentences are void.2 Thus, the trial

court did not lack jurisdiction to correct its original sentencing entry.

{¶14} Further, in State ex rel. Cruzado v. Zaleski, 111 Ohio St.3d 353,

358, 2006-Ohio-5795, 856 N.E.2d 263, the Supreme Court of Ohio reasoned

that as Cruzado’s sentence had not been completed at the time he was re-

sentenced, the judge “was authorized to correct the invalid sentence to 2 In reaching this conclusion we are mindful of the Supreme Court of Ohio’s recent statement contained in State v. Fischer that “[t]he failure to impose a statutorily mandated period of postrelease control is more than administrative or clerical error. It is an act that lacks both statutory and constitutional authority.” Fischer at ¶ 22. Again, based upon our prior reasoning in Qualls, supra, we believe that the fact that Appellant was properly advised of mandatory post release control during his original sentencing hearing factually distinguishes the present case from Fischer. Athens App. No. 10CA34 10

include the appropriate, mandatory postrelease-control term.” See, also

State v. Fischer, supra, (permitting re-sentencing after appellant served more

than five years of an aggregate fourteen year prison sentence for multiple

offenses including firearms specifications on each); State v. Jenkins,

Montgomery App. No. 24117, 2011-Ohio-634 at ¶4 (permitting re-

sentencing of appellant just two weeks before expiration of prison term

consisting of ten year term for rape and eight year term for felonious assault

being served concurrently).

{¶15} Thus, we conclude that as Appellant had not yet completed his

aggregate prison term of fifteen years, the trial court had jurisdiction to re-

sentence him. As such, Appellant’s fourth assignment of error is overruled.

ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR V

{¶16} In his fifth assignment of error, Appellant contends that his

sentence should be reversed as it violates Crim.R. 32, as well as the 5th, 6th,

and 14th Amendments of the United States Constitution. Appellant argues

that his original sentence was invalid, therefore resulting in a six year delay

from the time he was found guilty to the time he was re-sentenced.

{¶17} Crim.R. 32(A) provides that “[s]entence shall be imposed

without unnecessary delay.” In the present case, Appellant pled guilty and

was sentenced in one combined hearing held on May 24, 2004. The trial Athens App. No. 10CA34 11

court issued its judgment entry on June 3, 2004. Appellant did not make the

trial court aware of the sentencing error until he filed his motion to impose a

valid sentence on April 14, 2010. A re-sentencing hearing was scheduled

for June 2, 2010. On that same day, Appellant also filed a motion to

dismiss, claiming a delay in sentencing in violation of Crim.R. 32.

{¶18} On June 4, 2010, the trial court issued its judgment entry

imposing a mandatory five-year period of post release control, reaffirming

Appellant’s original sentence in all other respects, and denying Appellant’s

motion to dismiss. Based upon this timeline, we can discern no

unreasonable or unnecessary delay between Appellant’s original plea and

sentence, or Appellant’s motion for imposition of valid sentence and his re-

sentencing.

{¶19} As we have already noted, Appellant was properly advised

during his original sentencing hearing that he would be subject to a

mandatory five-year term of post release control. Thus, we have concluded

that his original sentence was not void and the trial court had jurisdiction to

correct its prior error in its sentencing entry. Further, assuming arguendo

there is no distinction between failing to properly advise of post release

control at the sentencing hearing and failing to properly include that notice

in the sentencing entry, based upon the reasoning of Fischer, “when a judge Athens App. No. 10CA34 12

fails to impose statutorily mandated postrelease control as part of a

defendant’s sentence, that part of the sentence that is void and must be set

aside[]” and “only the offending portion of the sentence is subject to review

and correction.” Fischer at ¶ 26-27. Moreover, res judicata “applies to

other aspects of the merits of a conviction, including the determination of

guilt and the lawful elements of the ensuing sentence.” Id. at ¶ 40.

{¶20} Thus, in light of the foregoing, the error in Appellant’s original

sentence was, at best, under Qualls, supra, a clerical error capable of

correction at any time by the trial court. At worst, under Fischer, supra, the

error rendered only the post release control aspect of Appellant’s sentence

void, and left all other aspects of Appellant’s conviction and sentence,

including his aggregate fifteen year prison term, in tact. As such, we reject

Appellant’s argument that there was an unnecessary delay in imposing

sentence upon him. Accordingly, Appellant’s fifth and final assignment of

error is overruled.

{¶21} Having overruled all of Appellant’s assignments of error, the

judgment and sentence of the trial court as set forth in its June 4, 2010,

judgment entry is affirmed.

JUDGMENT AFFIRMED. Athens App. No. 10CA34 13

JUDGMENT ENTRY It is ordered that the JUDGMENT BE AFFIRMED and that the Appellee recover of Appellant costs herein taxed.

The Court finds there were reasonable grounds for this appeal.

It is ordered that a special mandate issue out of this Court directing the Athens County Common Pleas Court to carry this judgment into execution.

IF A STAY OF EXECUTION OF SENTENCE AND RELEASE UPON BAIL HAS BEEN PREVIOUSLY GRANTED BY THE TRIAL COURT OR THIS COURT, it is temporarily continued for a period not to exceed sixty days upon the bail previously posted. The purpose of a continued stay is to allow Appellant to file with the Supreme Court of Ohio an application for a stay during the pendency of proceedings in that court. If a stay is continued by this entry, it will terminate at the earlier of the expiration of the sixty day period, or the failure of the Appellant to file a notice of appeal with the Supreme Court of Ohio in the forty-five day appeal period pursuant to Rule II, Sec. 2 of the Rules of Practice of the Supreme Court of Ohio. Additionally, if the Supreme Court of Ohio dismisses the appeal prior to expiration of sixty days, the stay will terminate as of the date of such dismissal.

A certified copy of this entry shall constitute the mandate pursuant to Rule 27 of the Rules of Appellate Procedure. Exceptions.

Abele, J.: Concurs in Judgment and Opinion. Harsha, P.J.: Concurs in Judgment Only.

For the Court,

BY: _________________________ Matthew W. McFarland, Judge

NOTICE TO COUNSEL Pursuant to Local Rule No. 14, this document constitutes a final judgment entry and the time period for further appeal commences from the date of filing with the clerk.