State v. McNeely, Unpublished Decision (12-30-2005)
State v. McNeely, Unpublished Decision (12-30-2005)
Opinion of the Court
{¶ 2} "The trial record does not contain `clear and convincing' evidence that appellant should have been classified as a Habitual Child-Victim Offender.
{¶ 3} "Appellant's
{¶ 4} "Appellant did not receive effective assistance of counsel, and this prejudicially affected his right to a fair trial."
{¶ 5} Appellant was originally indicted on three counts of rape in violation of R.C.
{¶ 6} Appellant was the stepfather of a girl who was born on November 11, 1991, and acted as this child's parent from the time that she was an infant. He and the victim's mother were still married during the time period between March 2002 and March 2003, when appellant approached the victim, had her perform oral sex, and had vaginal intercourse with her. In June 2004, appellant and the victim's mother were divorced, and he was living with his own mother. The victim and her half-brothers (appellant's sons) were staying with appellant. At some point between June 18, 2004 and June 20, 2004, appellant had vaginal intercourse with the child and had her perform oral sex on him. On June 26, 2004, appellant, once again, engaged in this sexual conduct with his stepdaughter. On the last occasion, he also had her view a pornographic video in order learn some things that she could do for him. The girl then reported these incidents to her mother, they were investigated, and appellant was indicted.
{¶ 7} At his change of plea hearing, appellant was informed of the basic prison terms for violations of R.C.
{¶ 8} The court also advised appellant that if his sentence included a prison term, he would be subject to a mandatory five years of post-release community control and discussed the consequences for a violation of any of the terms of that community control. The court further explained the potential sexual offender classifications that appellant faced. In addition, pursuant to Crim.R. 11(C), the court below determined whether appellant's Alford plea was voluntary, knowing, and intelligent. Appellant and his attorney were provided with an opportunity to review the written plea form, and appellant subsequently signed that form.
{¶ 9} Prior to sentencing, appellant was referred to the Court Diagnostic Treatment Center for a psychological evaluation. The trial court considered the psychologist's report, which was admitted into evidence, in classifying appellant as a "habitual child victim offender." The court therefore found that appellant was required to comply with the sex offender registration requirements for 20 years. After delineating the registration requirements for appellant's sex offender classification, the court considered the presentence investigation report, all of the requisite statutory factors, and made all of the necessary findings and reasons for those findings, and sentenced appellant to four years in prison for each sexual battery conviction, with each sentence to be served consecutively to each other. Thus, in toto, the trial court imposed a 12 year prison sentence on appellant. The judge's entry on sentencing was journalized on November 18, 2004. This appeal followed.
{¶ 10} In his first assignment of error, appellant contends that clear and convincing evidence does not support a finding that he is a "Habitual Child-Victim Offender" because he was never, as found by the trial court, convicted of or pled guilty to a prior sexually oriented offense in which the victim was under the age of 13.
{¶ 11} The trial court made its classification pursuant to R.C.
{¶ 12} In the present case, appellant's presentence investigation report lists his prior criminal charges and convictions and includes a conviction on one count of gross sexual imposition, a felony of the fourth degree. Gross sexual imposition is a "sexually oriented offense." R.C.
{¶ 13} In his second assignment of error, appellant first argues that the imposition of nonminimum, consecutive sentences "violated his constitutional rights to have a finder of fact make this determination beyond a reasonable doubt." Appellant relies on Apprendi v. New Jersey (2000),
{¶ 14} In the alternative, appellant maintains that the trial court's imposition of nonminimum, consecutive sentences is not supported by clear and convincing evidence.
{¶ 15} On review, an appellate court cannot reverse a felony sentence unless it finds, by clear and convincing evidence, that the record does not support the sentencing court's findings or that the sentence is otherwise contrary to law. R.C.
{¶ 16} As stated previously, the offense of sexual battery is a felony of the third degree. R.C.
{¶ 17} Here, the trial court imposed the nonminimum sentence, four years, on each of the three counts of sexual battery. Because appellant has never served a prior prison term, the court was required to make the findings set forth in R.C.
{¶ 18} As to the trial court's imposition of consecutive sentences, the Ohio Supreme Court held in Comer, at paragraph one of the syllabus:
{¶ 19} "Pursuant to R.C.
{¶ 20} Under R.C.
{¶ 21} At the sentencing hearing in the case under consideration, the trial court found that consecutive sentences were necessary to fulfill the purposes of R.C.
{¶ 22} The trial court also specifically provided its reasons for its findings on the record at the sentencing hearing. These included: (1) the significant impact on the child victim in this case, who "still has strong feelings for" appellant; (2) the fact that appellant was the only father that the victim has ever known; (3) the fact that appellant abused the father-child relationship "with his reprehensible conduct towards" the victim; and (4) the fact that given appellant's history it would be more likely that he would not only have continued to abuse this victim, but would also abuse any "future victims."
{¶ 23} Based upon the foregoing we find that the trial court complied with the requisites necessary to impose consecutive sentences; therefore, appellant's second assertion is without merit, and his second assignment of error is found not well-taken.
{¶ 24} In his third and final assignment of error, appellant maintains that his appointed trial counsel was ineffective in violation of the
{¶ 25} The United States Supreme Court devised a two prong test to determine ineffective assistance of counsel. Stricklandv. Washington (1984),
{¶ 26} First, appellant contends that trial counsel was ineffective because he failed to object to the Court Diagnostic Treatment Center report and did not seek an independent psychological report. Appellant claims the court diagnostic report "was less than complete regarding facts and conclusions particularly given the diverse and unrelated nature of the two sex-related convictions." We disagree.
{¶ 27} Appellant was evaluated by a forensic clinical psychologist. The psychologist not only interviewed appellant, she considered a number of relevant documents, including his criminal record, and administered psychological tests. Her report encompasses appellant's social history, educational history, military history, employment history, relationship history, substance abuse history (none), criminal history, and the psychological testing results. In sum, the report is comprehensive and clearly sets forth the differences between appellant's prior conviction for gross sexual imposition and his current convictions on three counts of sexual battery. Thus, trial counsel did not fail in any duty to his client by declining to demand an independent psychological examination.
{¶ 28} Second, appellant asserts that his trial attorney was ineffective because he failed to have the terms of appellant's plea "clearly articulated on the record" at the change of plea hearing in order to address "the sentencing issue in a meaningful context." Appellant claims that the failure to do so deprived him of a "meaningful and competent decision" because, at the time of the change of plea hearing, appellant believed that the trial court would impose concurrent sentences for the three charges of sexual battery.
{¶ 29} There is no evidence in the record of this cause to establish that the prosecution and appellant entered into a plea agreement which included concurrent sentences. Instead, the only agreement was the nolling of the three counts of rape of a minor under the age of 13. Further, as stated infra, the trial court satisfied all of the statutory and constitutional requirements at appellant's change of plea hearing. Appellant was provided with all the information necessary and was asked whether anyone had made any promises concerning his sentence. Appellant answered in the negative. Moreover, appellant and his attorney reviewed the change of plea form and signed that form. Therefore, we conclude that counsel did not breach any duty to his client with respect to appellant's change of plea. Accordingly, appellant's third assignment of error is found not well-taken.
{¶ 30} The judgment and sentence of the Lucas County Court of Common Pleas is affirmed in all material respects. However, this cause is remanded to that court solely for the purpose of correcting its sentencing entry with regard to appellant's sex offender classification and the fact supporting that classification. Appellant is ordered to pay the costs of this appeal pursuant to App.R. 24. Judgment for the clerk's expense incurred in preparation of the record, fees allowed by law, and the fee for filing the appeal is awarded to Lucas County.
Judgment Affirmed.
A certified copy of this entry shall constitute the mandate pursuant to App.R. 27. See, also, 6th Dist.Loc.App.R. 4, amended 1/1/98.
Handwork, J. Singer, P.J. Parish, J, concur.
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