State v. Pacatte, Unpublished Decision (12-11-2006)
State v. Pacatte, Unpublished Decision (12-11-2006)
Opinion of the Court
OPINION. {¶ 1} Defendant-appellant, Timothy W. Pacatte, appeals his sentence in the Clermont County Court of Common Pleas for rape and gross sexual imposition. For the reasons discussed below, we reverse the trial court's judgment as to sentencing only.
{¶ 2} On September 1, 2004, appellant pleaded guilty to rape of a person under the age of 13 in violation of R.C.
{¶ 3} In his first assignment of error, appellant argues the trial court erred by making findings that violate the Ohio Supreme Court's decision in State v. Foster,
{¶ 4} In Foster, the Court held that portions of Ohio's statutory sentencing scheme were unconstitutional. Id. at ¶ 1, 3, and 5 of the syllabus. Among the statutes found unconstitutional were R.C.
{¶ 5} According to the record, the trial court found that pursuant to R.C.
{¶ 6} Because the trial court utilized R.C.
{¶ 7} In his second assignment of error, appellant argues that his trial counsel was ineffective and that as a result, his rights under the Fifth, Sixth, and Fourteenth Amendments were violated. We disagree.
{¶ 8} The reversal of a conviction or sentence based upon ineffective assistance of counsel requires satisfying the two-prong test set forth in Strickland v. Washington (1984),
{¶ 9} In support of his argument that his trial counsel's performance was deficient, appellant alleges, and the state does not dispute, that his counsel assured him that his sentence would be appealed. We agree that appellant's trial counsel's performance was deficient for failing to appeal appellant's sentence.
{¶ 10} However, appellant has not been prejudiced, as this court granted appellant's motion for a delayed appeal, and we have sustained appellant's first assignment of error. Accordingly, we hold that appellant has not been denied the effective assistance of counsel. Appellant's second assignment of error is overruled.
{¶ 11} The trial court's judgment is reversed as to sentencing only, and this matter is remanded to the trial court for resentencing.
POWELL, P.J., and WALSH, J., concur.
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