State v. Walker, Unpublished Decision (9-28-1999)
State v. Walker, Unpublished Decision (9-28-1999)
Dissenting Opinion
I respectfully dissent from the plurality opinion. I agree that the juvenile court properly handled the mandatory transfer of the attempted murder charge. I also agree that the juvenile court did not make a finding of probable cause before transferring the two counts of felonious assault as required by R.C.
The trial court's judgment entry, of August 6, 1998, transferred appellant to the general division on the basis that attempted murder is a Category One offense and appellant was at least sixteen years of age at the time he committed the offense. In addition, the juvenile court stated that "[t]he complaints pending alleging Carrying A Concealed Weapon, and felonious assault, and felonious assault with a gun, and possession of marijuana filed out of the same event shall also be transferred to the General Division of this court as required by law." Judgment Entry, Aug. 6, 1998, at 1. It appears from this language that the juvenile court relied on the case of State v. Adams. Under the revised version of R.C.
Concurring Opinion
I concur in Judge Gwin's analysis and disposition of appellant's sole assignment of error. In addition thereto, I find the trial court had jurisdiction over the two felonious assault charges pursuant to R.C.
Opinion of the Court
OPINION
Appellant Ross Walker appeals the decision of the Delaware County Court of Common Pleas on the basis that the trial court lacked jurisdiction to sentence him on two counts of felonious assault. The following facts give rise to this appeal. During the afternoon hours of June 28, 1998, appellant, his brother Randy Walker, Gary Walker and Daniel Seberig traveled to Delaware County to visit Jerry Walker. While visiting at Jerry Walker's apartment complex, Randy Walker, Gary Walker and Daniel Seberig began fighting with Sean Moore and Jason Bravard. During the fight, appellant pulled out a gun and fired five shots, hitting Sean Moore in the leg with two of the shots. Appellant was seventeen years old at the time of this offense. On June 29, 1998, the state filed five separate complaints in juvenile court charging appellant with attempted murder with a gun specification, carrying a concealed weapon, felonious assault with a gun specification, felonious assault and possession of marijuana. The state filed a motion to transfer the case from the juvenile division to the general division. The trial court conducted a hearing on appellant's motion on August 5, 1998. On August 6, 1998, the juvenile court granted the state's motion and transferred jurisdiction to the general division. On August 20, 1998, the Delaware County Grand Jury indicted appellant on one count of attempted murder and two counts of felonious assault. Each count contained a gun specification. Appellant's trial commenced on October 27, 1999. Following deliberations, the jury returned a verdict of not guilty as to the count of attempted murder with a gun specification and guilty verdicts as to the two counts of felonious assault with gun specifications. On November 18, 1998, appellant filed a motion requesting the juvenile court transfer the charges of felonious assault with gun specifications back to the juvenile court. The trial court denied appellant's motion on December 8, 1998. The trial court sentenced appellant accordingly on December 16, 1998. Appellant timely filed a notice of appeal and sets forth the following assignment of error for our consideration:I. THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN NOT GRANTING DEFENDANT'S MOTION TO RETURN THE MATTER TO JUVENILE COURT AS THE TRIAL COURT WAS WITHOUT JURISDICTION TO PROCEED.
2. The child is domiciled in another state and, if the offense had been committed in that state, the child would be subject to criminal prosecution without the need for a transfer of jurisdiction from that state's juvenile court.
3. The child is charged with a Category One offense and either or both of the following apply: a. The child was sixteen years old or older at the time of the offense; or b. The child was previously adjudged delinquent for committing an act that is a Category One or Category Two offense and was committed to the Department of Youth Services upon the basis of that adjudication.
4. The child is charged with a Category Two offense, other than kidnaping, and was sixteen years old or older at the time of the offense and either or both of the following apply:
a. The child was previously adjudged delinquent for committing an act that is a Category One or Category Two offense and was committed to the Department of Youth Services upon the basis of that adjudication. b. The child is alleged to have had a firearm on his person or under his control during the commission of the offense and displayed, brandished, indicated possession of, or used the firearm to facilitate commission of the offense.
R.C.
2. There is probable cause to believe that the child committed the offense.
3. After an investigation, including a mental examination, and after consideration of all relevant information and factors, there are reasonable grounds to believe that both of the following apply:
a) The child is not amenable to care or rehabilitation in any facility designed for the care, supervision, and rehabilitation of delinquent children. b) Safety of the community requires the child be placed under legal restraint, including, if necessary, for the period extending beyond the child's majority.
In addition to the above statute, Juv.R. 30 also applies to discretionary transfers and establishes a two-step hearing procedure for discretionary transfers. Under Juv.R. 30(A), a preliminary hearing is held to determine whether there is probable cause to believe the child has committed a felony. Under Juv.R. 30(C), if the court finds probable cause, the court must conduct a second hearing, after a full investigation is completed, to determine whether jurisdiction should be transferred to the criminal court. This second hearing focuses on the amenability of the child to rehabilitation in the juvenile court system. Before a child may be transferred, the court must find there are reasonable grounds to believe that: (1) the child is not amenable to care or rehabilitation or further care or rehabilitation in any facility for delinquent children and the safety of the community may require legal restraint for a period extending beyond the child's majority. R.C.
2. A victim sustained physical harm during the commission of or otherwise as a result of the offense.
3. The child is alleged to have had a firearm on his person or under his control during the commission of the offense and displayed, brandished, indicated possession of, or used the firearm to facilitate commission of the offense, other than a violation of R.C.
4. The child has a failed history of rehabilitation following one or more commitments to the Department of Youth Services pursuant to R.C.
5. A victim was sixty-five years old or older or permanently and totally disabled at the time of the offense, regardless of whether the child knew the age of the victim.
R.C.
(b) If, pursuant to division (C) (4) (a) of this section, the court determines that division (B) (2), (3), or (4) of this section applies and requires that the case or cases involving one or more of the acts charged be transferred for criminal prosecution to the appropriate court having jurisdiction over the offense, the court shall transfer the case or cases in accordance with the applicable division. After the transfer pursuant to division (B) (2), (3), or (4) of this section, the court shall decide, in accordance with division (C) (4) (b) of this section, whether to grant the motion requesting that the case or cases involving one or more of the acts charged be transferred for criminal prosecution to the appropriate court having jurisdiction of the offense pursuant to division (C) (1) of this section. In making its decision regarding the motion requesting a transfer pursuant to division (C) (1) of this section, the court at a hearing may transfer the subject case to the appropriate court having jurisdiction of the offense if the act charged in the case would be a felony if committed by an adult, if the child was fourteen years of age or older at the time of the act charged, and if there is probable cause to believe that the child committed the act charged. Notwithstanding divisions (C)(1) to (3) of this section, prior to transferring a case pursuant to division (C) (4) (b) of this section, the court is not required to consider any factor specified in division (C) (2) of this section or to conduct an investigation or make a determination of this type described in division (C) (1) (c) of this section.
It is undisputed in the instant case that the juvenile court properly handled the mandatory transfer of the attempted murder charge. Further, it is undisputed that the court did not make a finding of probable cause before transferring the two counts of felonious assault, as required by R.C.
For the foregoing reasons the judgment of the Court of Common Pleas of Delaware County, Ohio, is affirmed and the cause is remanded to that court for execution of sentence.
By: Gwin, J Hoffman, J., concurs separately, Wise, P.J., dissents.
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