State v. Gatchel, Unpublished Decision (3-9-2007)
State v. Gatchel, Unpublished Decision (3-9-2007)
Opinion of the Court
{¶ 1} Appellant, Charles E. Gatchel, appeals from the May 31, 2006 judgment entry of the Lake County Court of Common Pleas, in which he was sentenced for operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs ("OVI").
{¶ 2} On December 2, 2005, appellant was indicted by the Lake County Grand Jury on one count of OVI, a felony of the third degree, in violation of R.C. *Page 2
{¶ 3} On February 16, 2006, appellant filed a motion to suppress.2 Appellee, the state of Ohio, filed a response on March 27, 2006. A suppression hearing commenced on March 30, 2006. Following the hearing, the trial court denied appellant's motion to suppress on April 5, 2006.
{¶ 4} A change of plea hearing was held on April 13, 2006. Appellant withdrew his former not guilty plea, and entered a written plea of guilty. On April 24, 2006, the trial court accepted appellant's guilty plea, deferred sentencing, and referred the matter to the Adult Probation Department.
{¶ 5} A sentencing hearing was held on May 25, 2006. Pursuant to its May 31, 2006 judgment entry, the trial court sentenced appellant to five years in prison, ordered him to pay a fine in the amount of $800, and suspended his driver's license for life. It is from that judgment that appellant filed a timely notice of appeal and makes the following assignments of error:
{¶ 6} "[1.] The trial court erred when it sentenced [appellant] to a more-than-the-minimum prison term in violation of the due process and ex post facto clauses of the Ohio and United States Constitutions.
{¶ 7} "[2.] The trial court erred when it sentenced [appellant] to a more-than-the-minimum prison term in violation of [appellant's] right to due process. *Page 3
{¶ 8} "[3.] The trial court erred when it sentenced [appellant] to a more-than-the-minimum prison term based on the Ohio Supreme Court's severance of the offending provisions under Foster, which was an act in violation of the principle of separation of powers.
{¶ 9} "[4.] The trial court erred when it sentenced [appellant] to a more-than-the-minimum prison term contrary to the rule of lenity.
{¶ 10} "[5.] The trial court erred when it sentenced [appellant] to a more-than-the-minimum prison term contrary to the intent of the Ohio legislators."
{¶ 11} We note that the issues contained in appellant's five assignments of error have recently been addressed by this court inState v. Elswick, 11th Dist. No. 2006-L-075,
{¶ 12} The judgment of the Lake County Court of Common Pleas is affirmed.
CYNTHIA WESTCOTT RICE, P.J., MARY JANE TRAPP, J., concur.
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