State Ex Rel. Worwell v. Boyle, Unpublished Decision (3-29-2006)
State Ex Rel. Worwell v. Boyle, Unpublished Decision (3-29-2006)
Opinion of the Court
{¶ 2} In the underlying case, the jury convicted Worwell of rape and kidnapping with a sexual motivation specification. During sentencing, the judge ruled that the kidnapping and rape convictions would merge for purposes of sentencing. However, in the sentencing entry the court imposed a seven-year prison term for each count, with the counts to run concurrently.
{¶ 3} On appeal, State v. Worwell, Cuyahoga App. No. 80871, 2002-Ohio-6637, Worwell's final argument was that the trial court erred in sentencing him for both rape and kidnapping because they were allied offenses under R.C.
{¶ 4} Subsequently, Worwell filed a motion to vacate and modify sentence, which the trial court denied. Also on November 18, 2005, he moved for a nunc pro tunc entry to correct his sentence to show that there is only one sentence of seven years, because the convictions were allied offenses. On February 6, 2006, the trial court denied the motion.
{¶ 5} Worwell now brings this mandamus action to compel the judge to issue a journal entry consistent with her findings and rulings at the sentencing hearing, specifically, that she impose a single seven-year sentence for one or the other of his convictions and discharge one of those convictions pursuant to her duties under Crim.R.32(C). He also asserts without supporting authority that the denial of his motion for a nunc pro tunc order is not a final appealable order and, thus, he does not have an adequate remedy at law.
{¶ 6} However, his argument is meritless. The requisites for mandamus are well established: (1) the relator must have a clear legal right to the requested relief, (2) the respondent must have a clear legal duty to perform the requested relief and (3) there must be no adequate remedy at law. Additionally, although mandamus may be used to compel a court to exercise judgment or to discharge a function, it may not control judicial discretion, even if that discretion is grossly abused. State ex rel. Ney v.Niehaus (1987),
{¶ 7} In the present case, Worwell had an adequate remedy through appeal, which he exercised and which raised this very issue. This court rejected his argument because there was no prejudice. Therefore, this mandamus is ill-founded because there was an adequate remedy at law and because the merits are barred by res judicata.
{¶ 8} Accordingly, this court denies the application for a writ of mandamus. Costs assessed against relator. The clerk is directed to serve upon the parties notice of this judgment and its date of entry upon the journal. Civ.R. 58(B).
Sweeney, P.J. concurs Karpinski, J. concurs
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