State v. Gipson, 1-06-67 (5-14-2007)
State v. Gipson, 1-06-67 (5-14-2007)
Opinion of the Court
{¶ 2} On February 12, 2004, the Allen County Grand Jury indicted Gipson on count one of aggravated arson, in violation of R.C.
{¶ 3} On August 9, 2004, a jury trial was held. Gipson was found guilty on all three counts in the indictment. Thereafter, the trial court held a sentencing hearing. The trial court sentenced Gipson to a prison term of three years on count one, a prison term of four years on count two, and a prison term of fifteen years to life on count three. The trial court further ordered that the prison term imposed in count one be served concurrent to the prison terms in counts two and three and that the prison term in count two be served consecutive to the prison term in count three. *Page 3
{¶ 4} Gipson appealed the trial court's judgment to this court. On August 1, 2005, we affirmed the judgment of the trial court. State v.Gipson, 3d Dist. No. 1-04-84,
{¶ 5} Gipson appealed this court's decision to the Ohio Supreme Court. The Ohio Supreme Court remanded the case for resentencing based onState v. Foster,
{¶ 6} On July 11, 2006, the trial court conducted a resentencing hearing. The trial court sentenced Gipson to a prison term of three years on count one, a prison term of four years on count two, and a prison term of fifteen years to life on count three. The trial court further ordered that the prison term imposed in count one be served concurrent to the prison terms in counts two and three and that the prison term in count two be served consecutive to the prison term in count three.
{¶ 7} It is from this sentence that Gipson appeals and sets forth one assignment of error for our review.
THE FELONY SENTENCING STATUTES AS APPLIED PURSUANT TO STATE V. FOSTER VIOLATED THE APPELLANT'S RIGHT TO DUE PROCESS.
{¶ 8} In her sole assignment of error, Gipson argues that the Ohio Supreme Court's decision in Foster violated the due process clause because of a *Page 4
lack of notice and fair warning of the potential new penalties, and that the Foster remedy was unforeseeable. Gipson further argues that R.C.
{¶ 9} This court has previously held that the Ohio Supreme Court's decision in Foster does not violate the due process clause. State v.McGhee, 3d Dist. No. 17-06-05,
{¶ 10} Gipson committed the offenses at issue after the United States Supreme Court decided Apprendi v. New Jersey (2000),
{¶ 11} Prior to the Ohio Supreme Court's decision in Foster, the trial court had to impose the minimum prison term for an offender who had never served a prison term unless the trial court made certain findings on the record. *Page 5
R.C.
{¶ 12} As this court has noted, "[b]y its very definition a presumptive sentence is not guaranteed." McGhee,
{¶ 13} Finally, the retroactive application of the Foster decision to cases on direct review was mandated by the Ohio Supreme Court.Foster, at ¶¶ 103-104. Gipson was resentenced in accordance with the Ohio Supreme Court's decision in Foster. This court is obligated to follow the precedent established by the Ohio Supreme Court. See State v.Dunn, 3d Dist. No. 8-06-20,
{¶ 14} Having found no error prejudicial to appellant herein, in the particulars assigned and argued, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Judgment Affirmed. ROGERS, P.J., and SHAW, J., concur.
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