State v. Matthews, Unpublished Decision (3-31-2003)
State v. Matthews, Unpublished Decision (3-31-2003)
Opinion of the Court
{¶ 2} Appointed counsel has submitted a request to withdraw pursuant to Anders v. California (1967),
{¶ 3} "I. Whether the trial court erred when it defined what constitutes a "felony offense" during the voir dire process?"
{¶ 4} "II. Was appellant denied the effective assistance of counsel at trial?"
{¶ 5} "III. Is the inclusion of the reference to "bad time" in the court's sentencing entry a sufficient basis upon which to reverse the appellant's conviction?"
{¶ 6} The procedure to be followed by appointed counsel who desires to withdraw for want of a meritorious, appealable issue is set forth in Anders, supra and State v. Duncan (1978),
{¶ 7} In this case, appointed counsel for appellant has satisfied the requirements set forth in Anders, supra. This court notes further that appellant has not filed a pro se brief or otherwise responded to counsel's request to withdraw. Accordingly, this court shall proceed with an examination of the potential assignments of error set forth by counsel for appellant and the entire record below to determine if this appeal lacks merit and is, therefore, wholly frivolous.
{¶ 8} The facts relevant to this appeal are as follows. In 2001, Joshua Balazs was stopped by a Port Clinton police officer for driving without a license and carrying a concealed weapon. The officer agreed to reduce the charges against Balazs in exchange for Balazs' help in apprehending a local drug trafficker. Specifically, Balazs agreed to participate in controlled purchases of marijuana with appellant, William Matthews. Balazs, wearing an electronic listening device and under the supervision of the Ottawa County Drug Taskforce, purchased marijuana from appellant on June 20, July 2, July 12 and July 26, 2001. On October 18, 2001, appellant was indicted on four counts of trafficking in marijuana. A jury found him guilty on all counts and he was sentenced to an 18 month prison term.
{¶ 9} In his first potential assignment of error, counsel for appellant contends that the court erred in defining "felony offense" during voir dire. The court explained that any prospective juror who had previously been convicted of a felony offense would be disqualified from serving on the jury. The court defined a "felony offense" as being any crime for which the minimum prison sentence is one year. This definition excluded fifth degree felonies for which the minimum prison term is six months. R.C.
{¶ 10} In his second potential assignment of error, counsel for appellant contends that appellant was denied effective assistance of counsel. The standard for evaluating an ineffective assistance of counsel claim was enunciated by the Supreme Court of Ohio in State v. Bradley
(1989),
{¶ 11} Counsel for appellant first contends that trial counsel was ineffective in failing to present the affirmative defense of entrapment at appellant's trial."The defense of entrapment is established where the criminal design originates with the officials of the government, and they implant in the mind of an innocent person the disposition to commit the alleged offense and induce its commission in order to prosecute." Statev. Doran (1983),
{¶ 12} Joshua Balazs testified at trial that prior to participating in the controlled buys in 2001, he had purchased marijuana from appellant on more than two dozen occasions. Officer Carl Johnson of the Ottawa County Drug Taskforce testified he participated in two of the controlled drug buys wherein he heard appellant negotiating prices for the marijuana and discussing the quantity he was willing to sell. Furthermore, the record in this case contains audio recordings of the four controlled marijuana purchases which supports the testimony of Balazs and Officer Johnson. This evidence indicates that appellant was predisposed to committing the offense of drug trafficking. It follows that trial counsel was not ineffective in failing to present the affirmative defense of entrapment.
{¶ 13} Counsel for appellant next contends that trial counsel was ineffective in failing to object to the prosecutor's questioning of appellant on cross-examination. Specifically, counsel for appellant contends that the prosecutor improperly impeached appellant's credibility with evidence of appellant's fifth degree felony conviction for attempted gross sexual imposition. Evid.R. 609(A)(3) states that "evidence that any witness, including an accused, has been convicted of a crime is admissible if the crime involved dishonesty or false statement, regardless of the punishment and whether based upon state or federal statute or local ordinance." Given the fact that the prosecutor also impeached appellant's credibility with evidence that he was convicted of attempted breaking and entering and in view of the evidence presented at appellant's trial, we cannot say that the outcome of appellant's trial would have been different had trial counsel objected to the prosecutor's question regarding attempted gross sexual imposition. Counsel's second assignment of error is without merit.
{¶ 14} In his third potential assignment of error, counsel for appellant contends that the court erred in its judgment entry of sentencing which reads: "The court explained the concepts of bad time and post release control." In State ex rel. Bray v. Russell (2000),
{¶ 15} Upon our own independent review of the record, we find no other grounds for a meritorious appeal. Accordingly, this appeal is found to be without merit and is wholly frivolous. Appellant's counsel's motion to withdraw is found well-taken and is hereby granted. The decision of the Ottawa County Court of Common Pleas is affirmed. Costs of this appeal are assessed to appellant.
JUDGMENT AFFIRMED.
Peter M. Handwork, P.J., Judith Ann Lanzinger, J., and Arlene Singer,J., concur.
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