State v. Hudak, Unpublished Decision (7-17-2003)
State v. Hudak, Unpublished Decision (7-17-2003)
Opinion of the Court
{¶ 2} On February 8, 2001, Hudak pled guilty to one count of felonious assault and one count of grand theft motor vehicle in one case. In the second case, he pled guilty to one count of felonious assault, and all other charges in the two cases were nolled.
{¶ 3} The court sentenced Hudak in the first case to a seven-year term of imprisonment for felonious assault, to be served concurrently with a one-year term for grand theft. In the second case, the court sentenced him to two years for felonious assault, to be served consecutively to the sentence in the first case.
{¶ 4} Hudak previously appealed the sentence on the grounds that the court varied from the minimum sentence without making the requisite findings. This court, in State v. Hudak, Cuyahoga App. No. 80605, 2002-Ohio-3638, vacated the sentence and remanded the case for resentencing because the trial court failed to first consider imposing the minimum sentence before imposing a greater sentence on Hudak, who had never previously served any prison time.
{¶ 5} Upon remand, the trial court resentenced Hudak on October 23, 2002. At the resentencing hearing, the court heard arguments from both sides. The prosecutor submitted the transcript from the first sentencing hearing which contained, among other things, one of the victim's statements from that hearing. The court imposed the same sentence it had previously imposed but explained its reasons for not imposing the minimum sentence. Hudak appealed, raising six assignments of error.
{¶ 7} In Mattox, the court denied a petition for postconviction relief. Although the court held an evidentiary hearing, it denied the petition based upon the court's personal recollection of evidence presented at trial, which was not presented at the postconviction hearing. In reversing the case, the Mattox court explained: "When a trier of facts relies upon personal knowledge, he necessarily deprives the litigant of the right of confrontation, cross-examination and an impartial tribunal." Id. at 68.
{¶ 8} In State v. Denoon (1966),
{¶ 9} In the instant case, the court relied upon the presentence investigation report which was prepared for the first sentencing hearing and is part of the court record. The judge was, therefore, reviewing matters pertinent to the sentencing as opposed to matters outside the record. Therefore, Mattox and Denoon are not applicable to the facts of this case.
{¶ 10} In In re Oliver, an inmate appeared as a witness before a "one-person" grand jury, a circuit judge. After the inmate testified, the judge told the inmate that he did not believe him, charged the inmate with contempt, convicted him, and proceeded to sentence him to 60 days in jail. In re Oliver, supra, at 264. The inmate filed a habeas corpus petition with the Michigan Supreme Court. The judge filed portions of the transcript containing the testimony which he found to be false and evasive. The inmate unsuccessfully petitioned to have the entire transcript filed. The Michigan Supreme Court denied the petition. The United States Supreme Court reversed and found that the investigation became a clandestine trial where the grand jury became a judge, and the witness became the accused. The Court went on to hold that this procedure violated the Fourteenth Amendment guarantee that no one shall be deprived of his liberty without due process of law, especially since the inmate was not afforded a reasonable opportunity to defend himself. Id. at 273.
{¶ 11} In contrast, the trial judge in the instant case gave defense counsel an opportunity to review the entire court file, including presentence reports and the transcript from the prior sentencing hearing. Although the court apparently did not review the presentence report, there is no evidence that the presentence report was unavailable or unobtainable.
{¶ 12} Moreover, the court explicitly asked Hudak's trial counsel, who is also his appellate counsel, if he had an opportunity to review all the material. Defense counsel responded, "Yeah, I've gone through the file. I haven't — I haven't seen a probation report, but I've gone through the file. I got information, some background information, in connection with this particular case, your Honor."
{¶ 13} Although defense counsel stated that he did not see the probation report, he never expressed a desire to review it before proceeding with the sentencing. There is no evidence suggesting the court refused to allow Hudak or his lawyer to review it. Rather, the court gave defense counsel every opportunity to prepare a mitigating statement for sentencing when it asked defense counsel if he had an opportunity to review the entire file. Therefore, we find the court did not violate Hudak's right to due process. Accordingly, the first assignment of error is overruled.
{¶ 15} A trial court has broad discretion when sentencing within the statutory guidelines, such that a reviewing court may not disturb a sentence imposed by a trial court unless it finds by clear and convincing evidence that the sentence is not supported by the record, or is contrary to law. State v. Haines, Franklin App. No. 98-AP-195, 1998 Ohio App. LEXIS 5332.
{¶ 16} R.C.
"[I]f the court imposing a sentence upon an offender for a felonyelects or is required to impose a prison term on the offender and if theoffender previously has not served a prison term, the court shall imposethe shortest prison term authorized for the offense pursuant to division(A) of this section, unless the court finds on the record that theshortest prison term will demean the seriousness of the offender'sconduct or will not adequately protect the public from future crime bythe offender or others."
{¶ 17} In construing R.C.
{¶ 18} Further, the Ohio Supreme Court explained that R.C.
{¶ 19} Pursuant to R.C.
"(a) The offender committed the multiple offenses while the offenderwas awaiting trial or sentencing, was under a sanction imposed pursuantto section
{¶ 20} When a trial court imposes consecutive sentences under R.C.
{¶ 21} At the sentencing hearing in the instant case, the court stated it was considering the overriding purposes of felony sentencing: "to protect the public from future crime by the offender" and "to punish the offender." R.C.
{¶ 22} The court further stated:
"Well, we have a presumption to begin with, then we have more seriousoutweighing less serious, and we have recidivism more likely outweighingrecidivism less likely in this case. Also, regarding prison terms, as Istated before, the reason we're here, the Court would have to impose theshortest term unless the offender served a — previously served aprison term, which is not applicable here, or demeans the seriousness ofthe offense, or does not adequately protect the public.
* * * * * The Court does make a finding that consecutive terms are necessaryto protect the public and punish the offender. It is notdisproportionate to his conduct and the danger it imposes, and the harmis too great and unusual, a single term does not adequately reflect theseriousness of his conduct. Let's go over some of the facts. As I stated in the first sentencing,I point to the severe injuries the victim sustained in this case. Mr.Rose spent one week in a coma in a hospital with a brain injury. And thesecond one, second case, felonious assault, as I stated before, is acontinuation of criminal conduct. Having done the first one, he shouldnot have done the second. I point further to his prior juvenile record.As I indicated, there is an indication of recidivism, and also state thatthe Court does not impose the shortest term because it does demean theseriousness of the offense in this case, meaning the severe injuries thatoccurred to Mr. Rose. Again, I reiterate, one week in the hospital in acoma with a brain injury. And that is why the shortest term is notimposed. That's why we're here for resentencing."
{¶ 23} Thus, the trial court not only explained why it was not imposing the minimum sentence but also gave specific reasons justifying the imposition of consecutive sentences. The reasons given for imposing more than the minimum sentence and for the consecutive sentences were all based on the reasons enumerated in the statute, i.e., the likelihood of recidivism, seriousness of the harm to the victim, and the necessity to protect the public. Therefore, the second and fifth assignments of error are overruled.
{¶ 25} This case was remanded for resentencing. Because the court of appeals does not have the power to vacate just a portion of a sentence, when a case is remanded for resentencing, the trial court must conduct a complete sentencing hearing and must approach resentencing as an independent proceeding complete with all applicable procedures. Statev. Bolton (2001),
"The defendant and the victim(s) are allowed to present information, adefendant has a right to speak prior to imposition of sentence, and ajudge is required to consider the record, any information presented, anypresentence report, and any victim impact statement before imposingsentence. A defendant also is entitled to notice of his right to appeal,to have a lawyer appointed if he is indigent, and must be notified thatpost-release control is part of his sentence, if, in fact, it is to bepart of his sentence."
{¶ 26} A review of the sentencing transcript reveals the court conducted a new sentencing hearing and approached the resentencing as an independent proceeding. The victims were advised of the resentencing hearing and were invited to appear and make a statement. Although one of the victims was unable to attend the resentencing hearing, the court considered the statements he made at the first sentencing hearing. The court also gave Hudak an opportunity to speak on his own behalf in mitigation of sentence.
{¶ 27} Further, as previously explained, the court made all the requisite findings for imposing more than the minimum sentence and for consecutive sentences based on facts in the record. The court also notified Hudak that he would be subject to five years of post-release control and Hudak was represented by counsel. Although the trial court failed to inform Hudak of his right to appeal, because this matter is before this court on appeal, this error is harmless. See State v.Johnson, Clermont App. No. CA2000-11-089, 2001-Ohio-8686, citing In reHaas (1975),
{¶ 29} The court did not consider any of these accomplishments, stating:
"I must reiterate that we're put in the same position that we wereright before I sentenced Mr. Hudak the first time. The Court cannotconsider what he's done after that. That would be appropriate forjudicial release and not resentencing."
{¶ 30} Upon sentencing, the trial court must consider all relevant factors including, but not limited to, the enumerated factors set forth in R.C.
{¶ 31} Further, in State v. Jackson (1986),
"* * * A trial judge is not constitutionally precluded, in otherwords, from imposing a new sentence, whether greater or less than theoriginal sentence, in light of events subsequent to the first trial thatmay have thrown new light upon the defendant's `life, health, habits,conduct and mental and moral propensities.' Williams v. New York,
{¶ 32} Thus, the trial court may consider the defendant's accomplishments achieved subsequent to the prior sentencing hearing. However, because there is nothing in R.C.
{¶ 34} In support of this assertion, Hudak relies on State v.Fort, Cuyahoga App. No. 80604, 2002-Ohio-5068, wherein this court stated:
"Finally, although not raised by appellant, we note that R.C.
{¶ 35} Here, Hudak was not sentenced for two or more offenses arising out of a single incident. Rather, he was sentenced on two separate felonious assault convictions that arose out of separate incidents. Indeed, Hudak committed the second felonious assault while he was on bail for the first felonious assault. Therefore, R.C.
Judgment affirmed.
KENNETH A. ROCCO, A.J. concurs; DIANE KARPINSKI, J. dissents (See attached dissenting opinion).
Dissenting Opinion
{¶ 36} I respectfully dissent on the fourth assignment of error.
{¶ 37} The majority opinion clearly establishes that an entirely new hearing is required when a case is remanded for resentencing. The first sentencing permits information about events that occurred between the date of the crime and the date of the hearing. I do not see any reason for a judge to prohibit information about what occurred between the first hearing and the date of the rehearing.
{¶ 38} Indeed, any information that would assist the court in accurately predicting the likelihood of recidivism should be considered: for example, a new psychiatric report, evidence that a defendant had assaulted inmates in prison, evidence that he had violated his bond while on bail. The information can be both negative and positive.
{¶ 39} The federal courts have clarified, furthermore, there is no double jeopardy problem in re-examining the entire sentence. "Pursuant to [the "sentencing package doctrine"], when a defendant is sentenced under a multi-count indictment and the sentences imposed on those counts are interdependent, a trial court has the authority to reevaluate the entire aggregate sentence or sentencing package, including the unchallenged portions, upon remand. Santiago v. United States (N.D.Ohio. 1996),
{¶ 40} However, the courts have set certain parameters in resentencing. In the case of North Carolina v. Pearce (1969),
{¶ 41} In Pearce, however, the case was remanded for a retrial. Here, the matter was remanded for resentencing.4 Nevertheless, the philosophy enunciated in Pearce is applicable5: "The freedom of a sentencing judge to consider the defendant's conduct subsequent to the first conviction in imposing a new sentence is no more than consonant with the principle, fully approved in Williams v. New York, supra, that a State may adopt the `prevalent modern philosophy of penology that the punishment should fit the offender and not merely the crime.' Id., at 247." Thus in imposing a new sentence, the trial judge may consider "events subsequent to the first trial that may have thrown new light upon the defendant's `life, health, habits, conduct, and mental and moral propensities.' Williams v. New York,
{¶ 42} The majority, citing this same quotation, concluded that the trial court's consideration of accomplishments subsequent to the first sentencing hearing is permissible,6 but not mandatory. I disagree. If there is information that would assist the judge in determining, for example, the likelihood of recidivism, even if this information derives from events that arose after the first hearing, then I believe the court must, at the very least, consider it.
{¶ 43} At a sentencing, as well as a resentencing, the court has wide latitude in what it may consider. We do not require the trial judge to wear a blindfold when the judge attempts to arrive at an understanding of the defendant. It is particularly significant that we do not impose the rules of evidence on information the court receives. On the contrary, the court customarily considers presentence reports, which may contain victim statements and much more that was never subject to the scrutiny of defendant's cross-examination.7 Given this openness of information at what is a de novo hearing, it would be inconsistent to arbitrarily limit information presented at a de novo hearing, by a date in the past.
{¶ 44} The more a trial judge knows about the offender, the better he is able to tailor an appropriate punishment. "* * * [S]ociety has a strong interest in ensuring that, in our criminal jurisprudence, punishment `will suit not merely the offense but the individual defendant.'" United States v. Mancari (C.A. 7 1990),
{¶ 45} The majority acknowledges that "the trial court must consider all relevant factors" but has discretion in determining the weight given to those factors. Yet the majority goes on to say the trial court did not have to consider defendant's actions after the first hearing. I do not understand how the court can have considered all relevant factors but ignore relevant information. The court did not say the information was not relevant. Rather, the court mistakenly believed that it could not consider what defendant did after the first sentencing. The court's words were: "The Court cannot consider what he's done after that [the first sentencing]."8 Emphasis added. This was an error of law that was clearly prejudicial to defendant, especially given the singular accomplishments that were denied consideration. The issue here is not a matter of weighing evidence. It is a question of the prejudicial impact of a mistake of law.
{¶ 46} Thus I would reverse and remand for the court to consider information from the period after the first sentencing hearing.
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