State v. Owens, 1-07-66 (8-18-2008)

2008 Ohio 4161
CourtOhio Court of Appeals
DecidedAugust 18, 2008
DocketNo. 1-07-66.
StatusPublished
Cited by18 cases

This text of 2008 Ohio 4161 (State v. Owens, 1-07-66 (8-18-2008)) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Ohio Court of Appeals primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
State v. Owens, 1-07-66 (8-18-2008), 2008 Ohio 4161 (Ohio Ct. App. 2008).

Opinion

OPINION *Page 2
{¶ 1} Defendant-appellant, Anthony Owens (hereinafter "Owens"), appeals the judgment of the Allen County Court of Common Pleas. For the reasons that follow, we affirm.

{¶ 2} On July 16, 2006, the Comfort Inn located in Allen County, Ohio was robbed. The Allen County Grand Jury indicted Owens for aggravated robbery in violation of R.C. 2911.01(A)(1), a first degree felony on August 30, 2006.

{¶ 3} On October 30, 2006, Owens waived his right to an attorney, and on November 3, 2006, a written waiver of counsel was filed. On November 7, 2006, the trial court allowed F. Stephen Chamberlain to withdraw as counsel of record but appointed him as standby counsel "to lend technical support to defendant during hearings or trial."

{¶ 4} On August 9, 2007, Owens requested counsel be reappointed, and the trial court reappointed Attorney Chamberlain. Owens requested that he be appointed different trial counsel on August 30, 2007. (Tr. 8/30/07 at 10). The trial court denied Owens' request for new court appointed counsel. (Id. at 16). Owens clearly stated that he did not want Attorney Chamberlain to represent him. (Id. at 14-16). The trial court informed Owens that he could: (1) hire an attorney of his own choosing; (2) have Attorney Chamberlain as his court-appointed *Page 3 counsel; or (3) represent himself. (Id. at 16). Attorney Chamberlain continued to represent Owens that day. (Id. at 16).

{¶ 5} A jury trial was held on September 4, 5, 6, and 7, 2007. On the first day of trial, Owens waived his right to counsel, and Attorney Chamberlain was appointed as standby counsel. (Tr. 9/4/07-9/7/07 at 36). The jury found Owens guilty of aggravated robbery. Thereafter, the trial court held a sentencing hearing and sentenced Owens to ten years imprisonment.

{¶ 6} Owens filed his appeal with this Court asserting four assignments of error, and we heard oral arguments for this case on April 29, 2008. On May 8, 2008, Owens then filed a motion for leave to file an additional assignment of error, which this Court denied by separate entry.

{¶ 7} It is from the trial court's judgment that Owens appeals and asserts four assignments of error for our review. For clarity of analysis, we have combined Owens' third and fourth assignments of error.

ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR NO. I
The court erred when it accepted Mr. Owens' waiver of counsel without sufficient examination of whether it was knowing and intelligent. Sixth Amendment, United States Constitution; Section 10, Article I, Ohio Constitution. Jury Trial Transcript, Vol.I, at 38.

{¶ 8} In his first assignment of error, Owens argues that his conduct through the proceedings should have alerted the trial court to problems with *Page 4 Owens representing himself. Owens maintains that his actions should have put the trial court on notice that he could not give a knowing and intelligent waiver. Specifically, Owens points to: (1) the repetitious motions he filed which had already been denied by the trial court; (2) the irrelevant subpoenas that were quashed; (3) his lack of a legal education; (4) his erroneous statement that intent to harm was an element of the offense, even after being corrected by the trial court; (5) the fact that he made a distinction between robbery and theft, noting that this crime only constitutes a theft; and (6) the fact that he waived counsel on the day of trial. In addition, Owens argues that he stated multiple times that he was forced to represent himself because his trial counsel failed to get an expert to review the surveillance tape, and he thought that representing himself was the only way to preserve the error.

{¶ 9} The Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution provides that an accused shall have the right "to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defense." Although a defendant has a right to counsel, the defendant may "waive that right when the waiver is voluntary, knowing, and intelligent." State v. Petaway, 3d Dist. No. 8-05-11,2006-Ohio-2941, ¶ 8, citing State v. Gibson (1976), 45 Ohio St.2d 366,345 N.E.2d 399, paragraph one of the syllabus, citing Faretta v.California (1975), 422 U.S. 806, 95 S.Ct. 2525, 45 L.Ed.2d 562. "`[T]o establish an effective waiver of right to counsel, the trial court must make *Page 5 sufficient inquiry to determine whether defendant fully understands and intelligently relinquishes that right.'" Id. at ¶ 9, citingGibson, 45 Ohio St.2d at paragraph two of the syllabus.

{¶ 10} In order for the defendant's waiver of counsel to be valid" `such waiver must be made with an apprehension of the charges, the statutory offenses included within them, the range of allowable punishments thereunder, possible defenses to the charges and circumstances in mitigation therof, and all other facts essential to a broad understanding of the whole matter.'" Gibson, 45 Ohio St.2d at 377, quoting Von Moltke v. Gillies (1948), 332 U.S. 708, 68 S.Ct. 316, 92 L.Ed. 309.

{¶ 11} On October 30, 2006, Owens indicated that he wanted to represent himself. (Tr. 10/30/06 at 18). The trial court inquired into whether Owens understood that he had the right to an attorney and informed Owens that he would be held to the same rules of evidence and criminal procedure that bind any lawyer. (Id. at 21-24). The trial court further warned Owens that the court could not provide him legal assistance. (Id. at 26). The trial court also informed Owens of the elements of the charge that the prosecution must prove and possible defenses to the charge. (Id. at 27). The trial court also warned Owens of the possible prison term of three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, or ten years if he were convicted, and that he was subject to five years of post-release control. (Id. at 28-29). *Page 6 In addition, the trial court informed Owens of the potential difficulties he may face if he is not represented by an attorney, including the fact that it may be easier for an attorney to contact potential witnesses and perform legal research. (Id. at 34). The trial court also urged Owens to have counsel represent him. (Id. at 35). However, Owens waived his right to an attorney, and the trial court accepted his waiver of counsel. (Id. at 44-45).

{¶ 12} Attorney Chamberlain was appointed as standby counsel on November 7, 2006.

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Bluebook (online)
2008 Ohio 4161, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/state-v-owens-1-07-66-8-18-2008-ohioctapp-2008.