[Cite as State v. Nagel, 2013-Ohio-2356.]
COURT OF APPEALS STARK COUNTY, OHIO FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
STATE OF OHIO JUDGES: Hon. William B. Hoffman, P.J. Plaintiff-Appellee Hon. Sheila G. Farmer, J. Hon. John W. Wise, J. -vs- Case No. 2012CA00211 JASON T. NAGEL
Defendant-Appellant OPINION
CHARACTER OF PROCEEDING: Appeal from the Stark County Court of Common Pleas, Case No. 2012CR0910B
JUDGMENT: Affirmed
DATE OF JUDGMENT ENTRY: June 3, 2013
APPEARANCES:
For Plaintiff-Appellee For Defendant-Appellant
JOHN D. FERRERO, EUGENE O'BYRNE PROSECUTING ATTORNEY, 101 Central Plaza South STARK COUNTY, OHIO Canton, Ohio 44702
By: RONALD MARK CALDWELL Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Appellate Section 110 Central Plaza, South – Suite 510 Canton, Ohio 44702-1413 Stark County, Case No. 2012CA00211 2
Hoffman, P.J.
{¶1} Defendant-appellant Jason T. Nagel appeals his sentence entered by the
Stark County Court of Common Pleas, after the trial court denied his motion to withdraw
plea. Plantiff-appellee is the state of Ohio.
STATEMENT OF THE CASE1
{¶2} On August 6, 2012, the Stark County Grand Jury indicted Appellant on
one count of breaking and entering, in violation of R.C. 2911.13(A), a felony of the fifth
degree. The trial court granted the state’s request to amend the indictment to one
count of receiving stolen property, in violation of R.C. 2913.51(A), a felony of the fifth
degree. Thereafter, Appellant entered a plea of guilty to the amended indictment. The
trial court accepted his plea and ordered a presentence investigation.
{¶3} While the presentence investigation report was being prepared, Appellant
retained new counsel who filed a motion to withdraw plea on his behalf. Appellant
argued he did not have “the understanding of the present and future ramifications of his
plea.” Appellant explained he would lose his current living situation due to a felony
conviction. Appellant also claimed he had a defense to the charge.
{¶4} At the beginning of the sentencing hearing on October 10, 2012, the trial
court addressed Appellant’s motion. The trial court determined Appellant had a felony
conviction prior to his entering a guilty plea to the instant receiving stolen property
charge. The trial court overruled the motion, stating “[s]o the felony conviction aspect
of this is a justification certainly does not have any weight with this court nor has any
1 A Statement of the Facts underlying Appellant’s conviction and sentence is not necessary for our disposition of this Appeal. Stark County, Case No. 2012CA00211 3
basis been given even though it’s prior to sentencing.” Transcript of October 10, 2012
Sentencing Hearing at 4-5. The trial court immediately proceeded to sentence
Appellant, imposing a two year period of community control sanctions as well as 200
hours of community service.
{¶5} It is from this sentence Appellant appeals, assigning as error:
{¶6} “I. THE TRIAL COURT ABUSED ITS DISCRETION BY NOT ALLOWING
APPELLANT TO WITHDRAW HIS PLEA UPON HIS MOTION PRIOR TO
SENTENCING.”
I
{¶7} Crim. R. 32.1, which governs motions to withdraw guilty pleas, provides in
pertinent part: “A motion to withdraw a plea of guilty or no contest may be made only
before sentence is imposed; but to correct manifest injustice the court after sentence
may set aside the judgment of conviction and permit the defendant to withdraw his or
her plea.”
{¶8} A defendant does not have an absolute right to withdraw a guilty plea prior
to sentencing, however; 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. Hamilton,
5th Dist. No. CT2008–0011, 2008–Ohio6328, ¶ 32, citing State v. Xie, 62 Ohio St.3d
521, 584 N.E.2d 715 (1992), at paragraph one of the syllabus.
{¶9} The trial court's decision to grant or deny a motion to withdraw a guilty
plea is vested within the sound discretion of the court, and will not be reversed by an
appellate court unless the trial court abused its discretion. State v. Xie, supra, 62 Ohio
St.3d 521 at paragraph two of the syllabus. In order to find an abuse of discretion, the Stark County, Case No. 2012CA00211 4
reviewing court must determine that the trial court's decision was unreasonable,
arbitrary, or unconscionable and not merely an error of law or judgment. Blakemore v.
Blakemore, 5 Ohio St.3d 217, 219, 450 N.E.2d 1140 (1983).
{¶10} The good faith, credibility and weight of a defendant's assertions in
support of a motion to withdraw guilty plea are matters to be resolved by the trial court,
which is in a better position to evaluate the motivations behind a guilty plea than is an
appellate court in reviewing a record of the hearing. State v. Xie, supra, 62 Ohio St.3d at
525, citing State v. Smith, 49 Ohio St.2d 261, 361 N.E.2d 1324 (1977).
{¶11} In reviewing a trial court's decision regarding a motion to withdraw a guilty
plea, the court in State v. Fish set forth a non-exhaustive list of factors to be weighed.
104 Ohio App.3d 236, 661 N.E.2d 788 (1995). These factors include: (1) whether the
prosecution would be prejudiced if the plea was vacated; (2) whether the accused was
represented by highly competent counsel; (3) whether the accused was given a full
Crim.R. 11 hearing; (4) whether a full hearing was held on the motion; (5) whether the
trial court gave full and fair consideration to the motion; (6) whether the motion was
made within a reasonable time; (7) whether the motion set forth specific reasons for the
withdrawal; (8) whether the accused understood the nature of the charges and possible
penalties; and (9) whether the accused was possibly not guilty or had a complete
defense to the crime. Id., 104 Ohio App.3d at 240. In weighing the ninth factor, “the trial
judge must determine whether the claim of innocence is anything more than the
defendant's change of heart about the plea agreement.” State v. Davison, 5th Dist.
No.2008–CA–00082, 2008–Ohio–7037, ¶ 45, citing State v. Kramer, 7th Dist. No. 01–
CA–107, 2002–Ohio–4176, ¶ 58. Stark County, Case No. 2012CA00211 5
{¶12} Appellant sought to withdraw his guilty plea because of the negative
consequences a felony conviction would have on his living situation, i.e., his job and his
residence. The trial court concluded Appellant’s reason did not have legal merit as he
already had a prior felony conviction; therefore, the proffered reason did not warrant the
requested relief. Further, Appellant asserted he had a complete defense, however, he
did not offer any specifics in his motion with regard to such.
{¶13} We find the trial court did not abuse its discretion in overruling Appellant’s
motion to withdraw his guilty plea.
{¶14} Appellant’s sole assignment of error is overruled.
{¶15} The judgment of the Stark County Court of Common Pleas is affirmed.
By: Hoffman, P.J.
Farmer, J. and
Wise, J. concur
s/ William B. Hoffman _________________ HON. WILLIAM B. HOFFMAN
s/ Sheila G. Farmer __________________ HON. SHEILA G. FARMER
s/ John W. Wise _____________________ HON. JOHN W.
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[Cite as State v. Nagel, 2013-Ohio-2356.]
COURT OF APPEALS STARK COUNTY, OHIO FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
STATE OF OHIO JUDGES: Hon. William B. Hoffman, P.J. Plaintiff-Appellee Hon. Sheila G. Farmer, J. Hon. John W. Wise, J. -vs- Case No. 2012CA00211 JASON T. NAGEL
Defendant-Appellant OPINION
CHARACTER OF PROCEEDING: Appeal from the Stark County Court of Common Pleas, Case No. 2012CR0910B
JUDGMENT: Affirmed
DATE OF JUDGMENT ENTRY: June 3, 2013
APPEARANCES:
For Plaintiff-Appellee For Defendant-Appellant
JOHN D. FERRERO, EUGENE O'BYRNE PROSECUTING ATTORNEY, 101 Central Plaza South STARK COUNTY, OHIO Canton, Ohio 44702
By: RONALD MARK CALDWELL Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Appellate Section 110 Central Plaza, South – Suite 510 Canton, Ohio 44702-1413 Stark County, Case No. 2012CA00211 2
Hoffman, P.J.
{¶1} Defendant-appellant Jason T. Nagel appeals his sentence entered by the
Stark County Court of Common Pleas, after the trial court denied his motion to withdraw
plea. Plantiff-appellee is the state of Ohio.
STATEMENT OF THE CASE1
{¶2} On August 6, 2012, the Stark County Grand Jury indicted Appellant on
one count of breaking and entering, in violation of R.C. 2911.13(A), a felony of the fifth
degree. The trial court granted the state’s request to amend the indictment to one
count of receiving stolen property, in violation of R.C. 2913.51(A), a felony of the fifth
degree. Thereafter, Appellant entered a plea of guilty to the amended indictment. The
trial court accepted his plea and ordered a presentence investigation.
{¶3} While the presentence investigation report was being prepared, Appellant
retained new counsel who filed a motion to withdraw plea on his behalf. Appellant
argued he did not have “the understanding of the present and future ramifications of his
plea.” Appellant explained he would lose his current living situation due to a felony
conviction. Appellant also claimed he had a defense to the charge.
{¶4} At the beginning of the sentencing hearing on October 10, 2012, the trial
court addressed Appellant’s motion. The trial court determined Appellant had a felony
conviction prior to his entering a guilty plea to the instant receiving stolen property
charge. The trial court overruled the motion, stating “[s]o the felony conviction aspect
of this is a justification certainly does not have any weight with this court nor has any
1 A Statement of the Facts underlying Appellant’s conviction and sentence is not necessary for our disposition of this Appeal. Stark County, Case No. 2012CA00211 3
basis been given even though it’s prior to sentencing.” Transcript of October 10, 2012
Sentencing Hearing at 4-5. The trial court immediately proceeded to sentence
Appellant, imposing a two year period of community control sanctions as well as 200
hours of community service.
{¶5} It is from this sentence Appellant appeals, assigning as error:
{¶6} “I. THE TRIAL COURT ABUSED ITS DISCRETION BY NOT ALLOWING
APPELLANT TO WITHDRAW HIS PLEA UPON HIS MOTION PRIOR TO
SENTENCING.”
I
{¶7} Crim. R. 32.1, which governs motions to withdraw guilty pleas, provides in
pertinent part: “A motion to withdraw a plea of guilty or no contest may be made only
before sentence is imposed; but to correct manifest injustice the court after sentence
may set aside the judgment of conviction and permit the defendant to withdraw his or
her plea.”
{¶8} A defendant does not have an absolute right to withdraw a guilty plea prior
to sentencing, however; 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. Hamilton,
5th Dist. No. CT2008–0011, 2008–Ohio6328, ¶ 32, citing State v. Xie, 62 Ohio St.3d
521, 584 N.E.2d 715 (1992), at paragraph one of the syllabus.
{¶9} The trial court's decision to grant or deny a motion to withdraw a guilty
plea is vested within the sound discretion of the court, and will not be reversed by an
appellate court unless the trial court abused its discretion. State v. Xie, supra, 62 Ohio
St.3d 521 at paragraph two of the syllabus. In order to find an abuse of discretion, the Stark County, Case No. 2012CA00211 4
reviewing court must determine that the trial court's decision was unreasonable,
arbitrary, or unconscionable and not merely an error of law or judgment. Blakemore v.
Blakemore, 5 Ohio St.3d 217, 219, 450 N.E.2d 1140 (1983).
{¶10} The good faith, credibility and weight of a defendant's assertions in
support of a motion to withdraw guilty plea are matters to be resolved by the trial court,
which is in a better position to evaluate the motivations behind a guilty plea than is an
appellate court in reviewing a record of the hearing. State v. Xie, supra, 62 Ohio St.3d at
525, citing State v. Smith, 49 Ohio St.2d 261, 361 N.E.2d 1324 (1977).
{¶11} In reviewing a trial court's decision regarding a motion to withdraw a guilty
plea, the court in State v. Fish set forth a non-exhaustive list of factors to be weighed.
104 Ohio App.3d 236, 661 N.E.2d 788 (1995). These factors include: (1) whether the
prosecution would be prejudiced if the plea was vacated; (2) whether the accused was
represented by highly competent counsel; (3) whether the accused was given a full
Crim.R. 11 hearing; (4) whether a full hearing was held on the motion; (5) whether the
trial court gave full and fair consideration to the motion; (6) whether the motion was
made within a reasonable time; (7) whether the motion set forth specific reasons for the
withdrawal; (8) whether the accused understood the nature of the charges and possible
penalties; and (9) whether the accused was possibly not guilty or had a complete
defense to the crime. Id., 104 Ohio App.3d at 240. In weighing the ninth factor, “the trial
judge must determine whether the claim of innocence is anything more than the
defendant's change of heart about the plea agreement.” State v. Davison, 5th Dist.
No.2008–CA–00082, 2008–Ohio–7037, ¶ 45, citing State v. Kramer, 7th Dist. No. 01–
CA–107, 2002–Ohio–4176, ¶ 58. Stark County, Case No. 2012CA00211 5
{¶12} Appellant sought to withdraw his guilty plea because of the negative
consequences a felony conviction would have on his living situation, i.e., his job and his
residence. The trial court concluded Appellant’s reason did not have legal merit as he
already had a prior felony conviction; therefore, the proffered reason did not warrant the
requested relief. Further, Appellant asserted he had a complete defense, however, he
did not offer any specifics in his motion with regard to such.
{¶13} We find the trial court did not abuse its discretion in overruling Appellant’s
motion to withdraw his guilty plea.
{¶14} Appellant’s sole assignment of error is overruled.
{¶15} The judgment of the Stark County Court of Common Pleas is affirmed.
By: Hoffman, P.J.
Farmer, J. and
Wise, J. concur
s/ William B. Hoffman _________________ HON. WILLIAM B. HOFFMAN
s/ Sheila G. Farmer __________________ HON. SHEILA G. FARMER
s/ John W. Wise _____________________ HON. JOHN W. WISE Stark County, Case No. 2012CA00211 6
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS FOR STARK COUNTY, OHIO FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
STATE OF OHIO : : Plaintiff-Appellee : : -vs- : JUDGMENT ENTRY : JASON T. NAGEL : : Defendant-Appellant : Case No. 2012CA00211
For the reasons stated in our accompanying Opinion, the judgment of the Stark
County Court of Common Pleas is affirmed. Costs to Appellant.
s/ William B. Hoffman _________________ HON. WILLIAM B. HOFFMAN
s/ John W. Wise _____________________ HON. JOHN W. WISE