State v. Johnson, Unpublished Decision (11-10-1999)
State v. Johnson, Unpublished Decision (11-10-1999)
Opinion of the Court
OPINION
Appellant Edward A. Johnson, Jr., appeals a judgment of the Muskingum County Common Pleas Court convicting him of felonious assault (R.C.
ASSIGNMENTS OF ERROR
I. THE MUSKINGUM COUNTY COMMON PLEAS COURT ERRED TO THE PREJUDICE OF THE DEFENDANT-APPELLANT BY VIOLATING DEFENDANT-APPELLANT'S STATUTORY RIGHTS UNDER O.R.C.
2945.71 ET SEQ. AS WELL AS RIGHTS UNDER THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION AND OHIO CONSTITUTION WHEN IT KEPT DEFENDANT-APPELLANT IMPRISONED BEYOND THE STATUTORY PERIOD AND BEYOND ANY REASONABLE TIME BEFORE A TRIAL WAS GRANTED.II. THE MUSKINGUM COUNTY COMMON PLEAS COURT ERRED TO THE PREJUDICE OF THE DEFENDANT-APPELLANT BY ABUSING ITS DISCRETION AND VIOLATING DEFENDANT-APPELLANT'S STATUTORY RIGHTS UNDER CRIMINAL RULE 11 (C) WHEN IT DENIED HIS REQUEST TO WITHDRAW HIS PLEA OF GUILTY AND BE TRIED BEFORE A JURY OF HIS PEERS.
Trooper McDonald of the Ohio State Highway Patrol observed appellant traveling at a high rate of speed on State Route 146 in Muskingum County. The trooper activated his radar, and found appellant to be traveling 70 miles per hour in a 55 mile per hour zone. The trooper positioned himself behind appellant, and activated his overhead lights to facilitate a traffic stop. Appellant failed to stop, and accelerated his vehicle to a speed of 80 miles per hour. A taxi cab pulled off on the berm, and appellant traveled left of center to avoid colliding with the cab. At Swing-A-Long Lane, appellant turned right, and pulled into the first residence. As the trooper exited his patrol car, appellant got out of his vehicle, carrying a shot gun. The trooper immediately retreated and ordered appellant to drop the weapon. Appellant moved to the rear of his vehicle with the shotgun at his side, pulled the gun to his hip, and leveled it at the trooper. The trooper repeatedly asked appellant to put the weapon down. Appellant asked the trooper to move his car, stating, "It's either you or me." The trooper continued to converse with appellant, moving closer until he was finally close enough to grab the barrel of the shotgun. The trooper pushed appellant against the car, continuing to struggle for control of the shotgun. Finally, the trooper was able to open the breach of the shotgun and pull the shell out of the chamber. Appellant would not release his hold on the shotgun until he was maced and struck on the hand with a flashlight. After the trooper gained control of the gun, appellant fell into his car, saying "You have got my shotgun, but I have got another one." Appellant produced a .22 caliber semi-automatic rifle. Another struggle ensued as the trooper attempted to render the gun inoperable by locking the magazine. During the struggle, with the barrel near Trooper McDonald's face, a round went off. Eventually appellant gave up, saying, "Okay, you got me." Appellant was charged with felonious assault, with two accompanying gun specifications. He initially entered a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity. Following a psychiatric examination, appellant was found competent to stand trial. On October 6, 1998, appellant entered a plea of guilty. Sentencing was deferred, as appellant was to undergo a psychiatric evaluation. Before sentencing, appellant filed a motion to withdraw his guilty plea. The motion was denied. Appellant was sentenced to five years intensive community control, and six months house arrest.
The judgment of the Muskingum County Common Pleas Court is affirmed.
By Gwin J., Wise, P.J., and Hoffman, J., concur
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