State v. Laury, Unpublished Decision (12-12-2002)
State v. Laury, Unpublished Decision (12-12-2002)
Opinion of the Court
{¶ 2} In June 1993, Henry Laury was indicted on three counts of rape, one count of gross sexual imposition, two counts of felonious assault, and one count of attempted rape, for crimes he committed against two minors, ages four and seven. In March 1994, Laury pled guilty to two counts of attempted rape, and the remaining counts were nolled. The court sentenced him to a term of four to fifteen years on each count, to run concurrently.
{¶ 3} Pursuant to H.B. 180, the Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections recommended that appellant be classified as a sexual predator. The trial court conducted a sexual predator hearing pursuant to
{¶ 4} Laury raises the following assignment of error:
{¶ 5} "The evidence is insufficient, as a matter of law, to prove `by clear and convincing evidence' that appellant `is likely to engage in the future in one or more sexually oriented offenses.'"
{¶ 6} Appellant asserts that the evidence presented by the prosecutor was inadequate to establish that he is a sexual predator.
{¶ 7} A sexual predator is defined in R.C.
{¶ 8} In State v. Eppinger, the Ohio Supreme Court defined the clear and convincing evidence standard as follows:
{¶ 9} "Clear and convincing evidence is that measure or degree of proof which will produce in the mind of the trier of facts a firm belief or conviction as to the allegations sought to be established. It is intermediate, being more than a mere preponderance, but not to the extent of such certainty as is required beyond a reasonable doubt as in criminal cases. It does not mean clear and unequivocal." State v. Eppinger (2001),
91 Ohio St.3d 158 ,164 , citing Cross v. Ledford (1954),161 Ohio St. 469 ,477 .
{¶ 10} In reviewing a trial court's decision based upon clear and convincing evidence, an appellate court must examine the record to determine whether sufficient evidence exists to satisfy the requisite degree of proof. State v. Schiebel (1990),
{¶ 11} Pursuant to R.C.
{¶ 12} R.C.
{¶ 13} The trial court reviewed all of the evidence and made findings under relevant factors listed in R.C.
{¶ 14} The court also found from the victims' statements contained in the postsentence report that there was a demonstrated pattern of abuse and that these crimes were not isolated incidents. The victims reported that Laury's conduct involved oral, digital, and penile vaginal penetration on several occasions over the course of at least one year.
{¶ 15} Further, the record contained at least two different documents signed by Laury indicating his refusal to participate in any sexual offender programs offered to him while he was incarcerated. Notwithstanding Laury's guilty plea, the contact sheet from the Lorain Correctional Institution indicates Laury denied the attempted rapes of the victims in this case. He also refused to participate in a psychiatric evaluation for purposes of the hearing.
{¶ 16} Laury argues that his advanced age and illness make it unlikely that he will offend again. He is over seventy years old and has cancer. While his age and physical condition may lead one to conclude that he would not have the desire or opportunity to re-offend sexually, "elderly status and poor health alone does not positively preclude a person, properly motivated, from acting out one's deviant interests." SeeState v. Doyle, Cuyahoga App. 79981 79982, 2002-Ohio-2574.
{¶ 17} Based on the evidence presented, we conclude that the trial court's finding is based on sufficient evidence. Laury's assignment of error is without merit.
{¶ 18} Judgment affirmed.
{¶ 19} It is ordered that appellee recover of appellant its costs herein taxed.
{¶ 20} The court finds there were reasonable grounds for this appeal.
{¶ 21} It is ordered that a special mandate issue out of this court directing the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas to carry this judgment into execution. The defendant's conviction having been affirmed, any bail pending appeal is terminated. Case remanded to the trial court for execution of sentence.
{¶ 22} A certified copy of this entry shall constitute the mandate pursuant to Rule 27 of the Rules of Appellate Procedure.
TIMOTHY E. McMONAGLE, A.J. and MICHAEL J. CORRIGAN, J. CONCUR
Sexual Predator
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