State v. Kellwood, Unpublished Decision (12-4-2003)
State v. Kellwood, Unpublished Decision (12-4-2003)
Opinion of the Court
{¶ 3} At the plea hearing, the court inquired about the appellant's age, education, and work history. The court then asked:
{¶ 4} "THE COURT: * * * Do you understand what you are pleading to here, two felony two's, each of them carrying up to eight years in prison and a $15,000 fine.
{¶ 5} "Do you understand that?
{¶ 6} "THE DEFENDANT: Yes, your Honor.
{¶ 7} "THE COURT: Each.
{¶ 8} "THE DEFENDANT: Yes, your Honor.
{¶ 9} "THE COURT: You know what's going on?
{¶ 10} "THE DEFENDANT: Not run consecutive.
{¶ 11} "THE COURT: They could run consecutive or concurrent depending on the circumstances.
{¶ 12} "THE DEFENDANT: No, your Honor.
{¶ 13} "THE COURT: You understand all that?
{¶ 14} "THE DEFENDANT: Yes."
{¶ 15} The court then proceeded to inform the appellant of his right to a jury trial, his right to confront witnesses, his right to counsel, the government's burden of proof, his right to compel witnesses, and his right against self-incrimination. The appellant stated that he understood these rights. Upon learning that appellant was receiving psychiatric medications, the court conducted an extensive inquiry into appellant's psychiatric history and ordered a psychiatric report in addition to a presentence report.
{¶ 16} At the sentencing hearing, the court reviewed appellant's extensive criminal history and reviewed a videotape of the incident upon which these charges were based. The court found that there was a great need to incapacitate the defendant, given his history of violence and his mental health history. The court stated:
{¶ 17} "* * * We have to incapacitate you. That's all there is to it. At least you can't harm other innocent citizens.
{¶ 18} "Therefore, the Court is going to give you six years on each count and run them consecutive, for twelve years in prison. Credit for all time served.
{¶ 19} "That sentence is appropriate, considering the seriousness of the crime and the recidivism factor, which is high, and your continued violent behavior since your juvenile days until now.
{¶ 20} "So a dozen years to serve, minus the time you served so far. Consecutive. Six and six for twelve years. Good luck to you.
{¶ 21} "Sir, the Court finds further that any sentence less than that would demean the seriousness of the offense, and the offense in proportion to other sentences with this type of offense, and with this type of background.
{¶ 22} "A shorter prison term would demean the seriousness of the defendant's conduct. * * *"
{¶ 24} First, Crim.R. 11(C)(2) does not require that the court inform the defendant that he may be ordered to serve the sentences for multiple offenses consecutively, so the failure to inform the defendant of this fact would not render a guilty plea involuntary. State v.Johnson (1988),
{¶ 25} Second, appellant contends that the court erred by ordering the sentences to be served consecutively. Under R.C.
{¶ 26} The court here did not satisfy its burden of making findings in support of consecutive sentences. It did not make any of the statutory finding required by R.C.
{¶ 27} The sentences imposed in this cause are reversed to the extent they were made consecutive to one another, and this matter is remanded to the lower court for further proceedings consistent with this opinion. In all other respects, this matter is affirmed.
{¶ 28} This cause is affirmed in part, reversed in part and remanded to the lower court for further proceedings consistent with this opinion.
It is, therefore, considered that said appellant recover of said appellee his costs herein.
It is ordered that a special mandate be sent to the common pleas court to carry this judgment into execution.
A certified copy of this entry shall constitute the mandate pursuant to Rule 27 of the Rules of Appellate Procedure.
Patricia Ann Blackmon, J. and Anthony O. Calabrese, Jr., J. concur.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.