State v. Yaacov, 89980 (6-2-2008)
State v. Yaacov, 89980 (6-2-2008)
Opinion of the Court
{¶ 2} On April 29, 2004, a grand jury indicted appellant on 125 counts, which included multiple counts of rape under R.C.
{¶ 3} On June 8, 2005, the trial judge sentenced appellant to eight years each on Counts 1-4 (rape) to be served consecutively to each other; eight years each on Counts 5-9 and 11-42 (rape), to be served concurrently to all other counts; six months each on Counts 43-82 (gross sexual imposition), with sentences on Counts 43-46 consecutive to all other counts, and sentences for Counts 47-82 concurrent to all other counts; one year each on Counts 83-103 and 105-124 (sexual battery), to be served concurrently to all other counts; and four years on Count 125 (tampering with evidence), to be served consecutively to all other counts. Appellant received a *Page 4 total of 38 years; was fined $15,000 on Count one; and was ordered to pay court costs.
{¶ 4} On July 7, 2005, appellant appealed to this court, which affirmed his convictions; however, State v. Foster,
{¶ 5} At appellant's resentencing, the court found that appellant had inflicted serious emotional harm on his victim and that his relationship with the victim facilitated his offenses. As a result of the resentencing, appellant received a total of 36 years, as opposed to his original 38 year sentence, and a $5,000 fine.
{¶ 6} The facts leading to appellant's conviction are set forth at length in State v. Yaacov, Cuyahoga App. No. 86674,
{¶ 7} Appellant brings this appeal, asserting two assignments of error for our review.
{¶ 9} Appellant argues that the court erred when it violated his due process rights. More specifically, he alleges that the record does not adequately demonstrate that the trial court considered whether his sentence was consistent with sentences imposed upon similar offenders in similar cases. This argument is without merit.
{¶ 10} After Foster, a trial court no longer has to make findings or give reasons at the sentencing hearing. State v. Dowell, Cuyahoga App. No. 88864,
{¶ 11} Under R.C.
{¶ 12} "Consistency in sentencing is achieved by weighing the sentencing factors. [State v. Georgakopoulos, Cuyahoga App. No. 81934, 2003-Ohio-4341.] See, also, State v. Tish, Cuyahoga App. No. 88247,
{¶ 13} In State v. Oko, Cuyahoga App. No. 87539,
{¶ 14} A review of the record shows that the trial judge considered the seriousness factors under R.C.
{¶ 15} The trial judge stated that the overall purpose of sentencing is "to punish the offender and protect the public from future crime by the offender and others." The trial judge indicated that she considered the victim's testimony and the testimony of her teachers indicating that she was a "very bright, engaging young woman." The trial judge determined that appellant had inflicted serious emotional harm on his daughter and that his relationship with her facilitated the offense. The trial judge also indicated that defense witnesses had actually accused the victim of lying and that appellant had "stared her down" during proceedings. The trial judge noted that the victim's diary, which the victim claimed detailed much of the abuse, had disappeared after appellant attempted to discard all of her belongings, leading to his conviction for tampering with evidence. *Page 8
{¶ 16} The trial judge stated that it appeared appellant had been doing well in prison; that there was no evidence of drugs or alcohol; and that he had been steadily employed. Finally, the trial judge noted that prison is mandatory, but that there is usually a presumption of minimum sentencing; however, the judge also considered the emotional harm to appellant's daughter, the length of time over which the crimes occurred, and the number of incidences. Ultimately, appellant received two years less on resentencing, which the trial judge attributed to his good behavior in prison.
{¶ 17} A review of the resentencing record shows that the trial court considered the appropriate factors under R.C.
{¶ 19} Appellant argues that the trial court violated his due process rights when it applied the Ohio Supreme Court's decision inFoster, supra, at his sentencing. More specifically, he alleges that the application of Foster violates the ex post facto clause. This argument is without merit. *Page 9
{¶ 20} In Foster, the Ohio Supreme Court found several sections of the revised code unconstitutional, and severed the offending portions from the statutes. As a result, trial courts now have full discretion to impose a prison sentence within the statutory range and are no longer required to make findings or state reasons for imposing more than the minimum sentences. Foster, supra.
{¶ 21} If Foster did not apply to appellant, he would enjoy a presumption of minimum concurrent sentencing. The ex post facto clause of Article
{¶ 22} This court recently addressed this issue and, after a thorough analysis of state and federal law, held that "in the instant case, Mallette had notice that the sentencing range was the same at the time he committed the offenses as when he was sentenced. Foster did not judicially increase the range of his sentence, nor did it retroactively apply a new statutory maximum to an earlier committed crime, nor did it create the possibility of consecutive sentences where none existed. As a result, we conclude that the remedial holding of Foster does not violate Mallette's due process rights or the ex post facto principles contained therein." State v. Mallette, Cuyahoga App. No. 87984,
{¶ 23} We therefore find that the remedial holding of Foster does not violate appellant's due process rights or the ex post facto principles contained therein.
{¶ 24} Accordingly, appellant's second assignment of error is overruled.
Judgment affirmed.
It is ordered that appellee recover from appellant costs herein taxed.
The court finds there were reasonable grounds for this appeal.
It is ordered that a special mandate issue out of this court directing the common pleas court to carry this judgment into execution. The defendant's conviction having been affirmed, any bail pending appeal is terminated. Case remanded to the trial court for execution of sentence.
A certified copy of this entry shall constitute the mandate pursuant to Rule 27 of the Rules of Appellate Procedure.
*Page 1JAMES J. SWEENEY, A.J., and KENNETH A. ROCCO, J., CONCUR
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.