State v. Prentice, Unpublished Decision (12-14-2007)
State v. Prentice, Unpublished Decision (12-14-2007)
Opinion of the Court
{¶ 2} Appellant's appointed counsel has submitted a request to withdraw as counsel pursuant to Anders v. California (1967),
{¶ 3} In Anders, the United States Supreme Court held that if counsel, after a conscientious examination of the case, determines it to be wholly frivolous he should so advise the court and request permission to withdraw. Id. at 744. See, also, State v. Duncan (1978),
{¶ 4} Consistent with Anders, appellant's counsel has asserted two potential assignments of error alleging a violation of appellant's speedy trial rights and alleging that the court erred in denying a motion in limine.
{¶ 5} R.C.
{¶ 6} "A person against whom a charge of felony is pending: *Page 3
{¶ 7} "(2) Shall be brought to trial within two hundred seventy days after the person's arrest."
{¶ 8} In addition, under R.C.
{¶ 9} Appellant in this case was incarcerated as a result of the instant charge on August 8, 2006. He remained incarcerated until his trial began on November 6, 2006. Pursuant to Crim. R. 45(A), appellant's first day of incarceration did not count towards his 90 day total. Appellant's trial began on his ninetieth day of incarceration. Thus, his speedy trial rights were not violated.
{¶ 10} Appellant's counsel next suggests that the court erred in denying appellant's motion in limine. Appellant attempted to prevent the testimony at trial of a Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation ("BCI") employee based on the fact that the witness's name did not appear on the state's witness list.
{¶ 11} The trial court is given broad discretion regarding sanctions for failing to comply with the discovery rules. See Crim.R. 16(E)(3);State v. Adkins (1992),
{¶ 12} Crim.R. 16(E)(3) expressly gives the trial court permission to grant a continuance if a party has failed to comply with a discovery rule. See Crim.R. 16(E)(3). Further, the trial court should generally attempt to impose the least severe sanction consistent with the purpose of the discovery rules. State v. Edwards (1993),
{¶ 13} The trial court, in this case, offered appellant's counsel a continuance in order to give him time to prepare an effective cross-examination of the undisclosed witnesses. Appellant's counsel declined the continuance. On the day of trial, appellant filed a "demand for testimony" seeking the testimony of the person who conducted the examination of the controlled substances at issue. Thus, it is apparent that counsel knew someone from the bureau would be testifying and it can be assumed that counsel prepared his cross-examination accordingly. Moreover, the record shows that counsel did thoroughly cross-examine the witness from the BCI. Therefore, we find that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in denying appellant's motion in limine.
{¶ 14} Upon our own independent review of the record, we find no other grounds for a meritorious appeal. Accordingly, appellant's appellate counsel properly determined that no meritorious appealable issue existed in this case, and this appeal is without merit *Page 5 and wholly frivolous. Appellant's counsel's motion to withdraw is found well-taken and is hereby granted.
{¶ 15} The judgment of the Fulton County Court of Common Pleas is affirmed. 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 Fulton 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.
*Page 1Peter M. Handwork, J., Arlene Singer, J., Thomas J. Osowik, J. CONCUR.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.