State v. Miller, Unpublished Decision (6-18-2004)
State v. Miller, Unpublished Decision (6-18-2004)
Opinion of the Court
{¶ 2} On December 13, 2002, appellant was indicted on one count of rape, in violation of R.C.
{¶ 3} On March 12, 2003, appellant entered a written plea of guilty to the amended charges of one count of rape and one count of felonious assault. Upon motion of the state, the trial court entered a nolle prosequi with regard to the remaining charges.
{¶ 4} On June 12, 2003, a sentencing hearing was held along with a hearing, pursuant to R.C.
{¶ 5} In addition, the trial court stated that appellant "has certain antisocial personality features, that he likely suffers from explosive — intermittent explosive disorder and is alcohol dependent." The trial court found that it was not demonstrated that there was a pattern of abuse. Furthermore, the court indicated that appellant did "display cruelty and he used a knife to the victim's throat, a gun to her head, that she was struck and also bitten on the breast and in other places." The court also noted that in regard to the prior sexually oriented offense, appellant "demonstrated cruelty to the child by stripping her naked in the woods, putting tape on her mouth and striking her." The trial court then explained that it appeared appellant was in denial and did not admit that he had done any wrong in either of the sexually oriented offenses, making treatment for him very difficult. Therefore, the court determined that there was clear and convincing evidence that appellant was "likely to engage in another sexually oriented offense in the future, therefore, the [c]ourt would label him a sexual predator."
{¶ 6} In an entry dated June 16, 2003, the trial court found by clear and convincing evidence that appellant was a sexual predator. This was a joint sentencing exercise to which the trial court, in a separate entry, sentenced appellant to a term of seven years in prison on each offense with the sentences to run concurrently. Appellant timely filed the instant appeal and now assigns the following assignments of error:
{¶ 7} "[1.] The Portage County Court of Common Pleas erred to the prejudice of appellant when it adjudged him to be a sexual predator as such decision was against the manifest weight of the evidence.
{¶ 8} "[2.] [Appellant] was deprived of the effective assistance of counsel guaranteed him by the
{¶ 9} Under the first assignment of error, appellant asserts that the trial court erred when it labeled him a sexual predator because the decision was against the manifest weight of the evidence.
{¶ 10} We do not apply a de novo standard of review when reviewing a sexual predator determination; instead, we examine whether the trial court's determination was against the manifest weight of the evidence.State v. Davis (Apr. 19, 2002), 11th Dist. No. 2000-L-190, 2002 WL 603061, at 2. In determining whether an offender should be classified as a sexual predator, the trial court may use reliable hearsay such as a presentence investigation report or victim impact statement as the Ohio Rules of Evidence do not strictly apply to sexual predator adjudication hearings. State v. Cook (1998),
{¶ 11} R.C.
{¶ 12} In making a sexual predator determination, the trial court must identify the factors under R.C.
{¶ 13} Moreover, when reviewing a claim that a judgment is against the manifest weight of the evidence, an appellate court must review the entire record, weigh both the evidence and all reasonable inferences, consider the credibility of witnesses and determine whether in resolving conflicts, the trier of fact lost its way and created a miscarriage of justice. State v. Thompkins (1997),
{¶ 14} In the instant matter, appellant argues that the trial court found that four of the factors in R.C.
{¶ 15} In the case at hand, the record includes clear and convincing evidence that several of the factors set forth in R.C.
{¶ 16} After reviewing the record and weighing the evidence and all reasonable inferences therefrom, we cannot conclude that the trial court lost its way. While the psychological evaluation from Dr. Fabian along with his testimony revealed that appellant would be at a medium to high risk to commit a sexual offense in the future, the totality of the circumstances support the trial court's conclusion that appellant was a sexual predator. Therefore, based upon a review of the record, we cannot conclude that the trial court erred by classifying appellant as a sexual predator.
{¶ 17} Under the second assignment of error, appellant argues that he was denied the effective assistance of counsel because his trial counsel failed to seek the appointment of a second expert witness to evaluate him and as a result, he was deprived of a fair sexual predator hearing.
{¶ 18} To warrant a reversal on the grounds that an appellant was not provided with effective assistance of counsel, an appellant bears the burden of meeting the two-prong test set forth in Strickland v.Washington (1984),
{¶ 19} "[a] convicted defendant's claim that counsel's assistance was so defective as to require reversal of a conviction * * * has two components. First, the defendant must show that counsel's performance was deficient. This requires showing that counsel made errors so serious that counsel was not functioning as the `counsel' guaranteed the defendant by the
{¶ 20} In order to determine if an attorney's performance was deficient, the trial court must inquire whether the attorney provided "reasonably effective assistance, considering all the circumstances."State v. Loza (1994),
{¶ 21} Under the second prong of the Strickland test, an appellant must show that he was prejudiced. To establish prejudice, the appellant must prove that "there exists a reasonable probability that, were it not for counsel's errors, the result of the trial would have been different."Bradley, 42 Ohio St.3d at paragraph three of the syllabus; State v.Stojetz (1999),
{¶ 22} A properly licensed attorney is presumed to be competent, and therefore, judicial scrutiny of his or her performance must be highly deferential. Strickland,
{¶ 23} In the case at bar, appellant claims that his trial counsel failed to obtain a second psychologist or psychiatrist to make a report concerning appellant, which resulted in an unfair sexual predator hearing and adjudication. However, the record indicates that the defense counsel thoroughly cross-examined Dr. Fabian, and that appellant's attorney argued that Dr. Fabian did not possess the special expertise in predicting the likelihood that appellant would engage in future sexual offenses. Additionally, appellant has failed to show that a second expert opinion would have necessarily helped his defense.
{¶ 24} Moreover, even if appellant's defense counsel was deficient, appellant did not illustrate to this court how he has been prejudiced by his attorney's actions or that the result of the hearing would have been different. Appellant's second assignment of error is without merit.
{¶ 25} For the foregoing reasons, appellant's assignments of error are not well-taken. The judgment of the Portage County Court of Common Pleas is affirmed.
Grendell, J., Rice, J., concur.
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