State v. Jalowiec, Unpublished Decision (6-18-2003)
State v. Jalowiec, Unpublished Decision (6-18-2003)
Opinion of the Court
This cause was heard upon the record in the trial court. Each error assigned has been reviewed and the following disposition is made: {¶ 1} Appellant, Stanley E. Jalowiec, appeals from the decision of the Lorain County Court of Common Pleas, which denied his motion for postconviction relief. We affirm.
{¶ 2} On March 20, 1996, Mr. Jalowiec was found guilty of aggravated murder, in violation of R.C.
{¶ 3} On July 17, 2002, Mr. Jalowiec filed a second (fourth amended) petition for postconviction relief requesting an evidentiary hearing. On August 12, 2002, the state filed its response to Mr. Jalowiec's second petition. On August 15, 2002, the petition was denied by the Lorain County Court of Common Pleas finding that Mr. Jalowiec's petition was untimely and failed to meet the requirements of R.C.
{¶ 4} Mr. Jalowiec asserts six assignments of error. We will discuss them together to facilitate review.
"The trial court erred in dismissing appellant's second post-conviction petition filed pursuant to O.R.C. §2935.23 (A)(1)(a) (2) where the petition meets the necessary prerequisites mandated by O.R.C. §2935.23 in violation of theFifth ,Sixth ,Eighth , andFourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution."
"A petitioner, in a second post-conviction petition proceeding is entitled to an evidentiary hearing and discovery when the second petition meets the necessary prerequisites pursuant to O.R.C. §2953.23 and when the claims raise a constitutional violation which is supported by specific factual allegations not capable of determination from the original record."
"Where a claim in a second post-conviction petition met the necessary requirements set forth in O.R.C. §2953.23 and the post-conviction petition is supported by evidence dehors the record as well as evidence appearing in the record, the doctrine of res judicata does not apply. State v. Scott,63 Ohio St.3d 98 , (1985) followed."
"The failure of the State to disclose exculpatory impeachment evidence regarding their key material witness, Michael Smith, is a violation of the United States Constitution and Brady v. [Maryland], (1963),373 U.S. 83 , and renders the underlying conviction and sentence void or voidable."
"A post-conviction petitioner is entitled to discovery, expert assistance and funds to retain such expert assistance when his second post-conviction petition meets the necessary requirements set forth in §2953.23 and when the petition is supported by specific factual allegations not capable of determination from the original record and the claims raise a constitutional violation, the trial court violated petitioner's right's under theFifth ,Sixth , andFourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution, and Section 39, ArticleI of the Ohio Constitution."
"Ohio's post-conviction procedures do not afford an adequate corrective process nor do they comply with due process or equal protection and §2953.23 is facially unconstitutional as applied to appellant because it deprives him of due process, equal protection, and to be free from cruel and unusual punishment as guaranteed by theFirst ,Fourth ,Fifth ,Sixth ,Eighth andFourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution."
{¶ 5} Essentially, Mr. Jalowiec is appealing the denial of relief based on three assertions. First, he was denied the medical records of Michael Smith. Second, he was given ineffective assistance by trial counsel during the guilt/innocence phase. Third, Ohio's postconviction process is unconstitutional.
{¶ 6} Postconviction relief is governed by R.C.
"A petition under division (A)(1) of this section (for postconviction relief) shall be filed no later than one hundred eighty days after the date on which the trial transcript is filed in the court of appeals in the direct appeal of the judgment of conviction or adjudication or, if the direct appeal involves a sentence of death, the date on which the trial transcript is filed in the supreme court." R.C.
2953.21 (A)(2)
{¶ 7} Mr. Jalowiec did not file within the allotted 180 days. Moreover, Mr. Jalowiec had filed a previous petition. Therefore, the trial court lacked jurisdiction to entertain this successive petition unless Mr. Jalowiec met the requirements of R.C.
"(1) Either of the following applies:
"(a) The petitioner shows that the petitioner was unavoidably prevented from discovery of the facts upon which the petitioner must rely to present the claim for relief.
"(b) Subsequent to the period prescribed in [R.C.
2953.21 (A)(2)] or to the filing of an earlier petition, the United States Supreme Court recognized a new federal or state right that applies retroactively to persons in the petitioner's situation, and the petition asserts a claim based on that right.
"[and]
"(2) The petitioner shows by clear and convincing evidence that, but for constitutional error at trial, no reasonable factfinder would have found the petitioner guilty of the offense of which the petitioner was convicted or, if the claim challenges a sentence of death that, but for constitutional error at the sentencing hearing, no reasonable factfinder would have found the petitioner eligible for the death sentence." R.C.
2953.23 (A)
{¶ 8} Mr. Jalowiec contends that he was denied Mr. Smith's medical records regarding Mr. Smith's mental condition, and that this denial amounted to a Brady violation. A Brady violation occurs when the prosecution suppresses evidence requested by the accused that is material to the guilt or punishment of the accused. Brady v. Maryland (1963),
{¶ 9} Mr. Jalowiec's assignments of error are overruled, and the judgment of the Lorain County Court of Common Pleas is affirmed.
SLABY, P.J. and BAIRD, J. CONCUR.
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