State v. Bradley, 08ap-862 (4-16-2009)
State v. Bradley, 08ap-862 (4-16-2009)
Opinion of the Court
OPINION
{¶ 1} Michael S. Bradley, defendant-appellant, appeals from a judgment of the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas, in which the court denied his motion to void judgment.{¶ 2} On September 6, 2005, the trial court entered a judgment, pursuant to a jury verdict, finding appellant guilty of aggravated robbery, in violation of R.C.
{¶ 3} On July 7, 2008, appellant filed a motion to void judgment, based upon Civ. R. 60(B) and State v. Colon,
THE COURT ERRED BY FAILING TO VOID APPELLANT'S CONVICTION FOR LACK OF SUBJECT MATTER JURISDICTION.
{¶ 4} In appellant's sole assignment of error, appellant argues that the trial court erred when it denied his motion to void judgment. We first note that appellant's motion to void judgment was based upon Civ. R. 60(B), and it is not fully clear if the trial court addressed appellant's motion to void judgment as a motion for relief from judgment pursuant to Civ. R. 60(B) or a petition for post-conviction relief. Civ. R. 60(B) can apply in limited instances in criminal cases through the application of Crim. R. 57, which provides that, if no procedure is specifically prescribed by rule, a court may proceed in any manner not inconsistent with the rules of criminal procedure, and must look to the rules of civil procedure and to the applicable law if no rule of criminal procedure exists.
{¶ 5} However, the Supreme Court of Ohio recently held that the plain language of Crim. R. 57(B) permits a trial court in a criminal case to look to the rules of civil *Page 3
procedure for guidance only when no applicable rule of criminal procedure exists. See State v. Schlee,
{¶ 6} In the present case, appellant filed his motion subsequent to his direct appeal of the original conviction and sentence. In addition, appellant claimed that his constitutional rights were violated, he sought to render the judgment void, and he requested the judgment and sentence be vacated. Therefore, we find Schlee applies, and appellant's Civ. R. 60(B) motion must be construed as a petition for post-conviction relief.
{¶ 7} Analyzing appellant's motion as a petition for post-conviction relief, R.C.
{¶ 8} Pursuant to R.C.
{¶ 9} Here, appellant has not, and cannot, demonstrate either of the first two prerequisites for entertaining an untimely petition for post-conviction relief. Appellant has not claimed that he was unavoidably prevented from discovering facts necessary for his claim for relief. Rather, appellant's claim in his motion was based upon new case law that had developed since his sentencing. Furthermore, appellant does not claim any new federal or state right recognized by the United State Supreme Court that applies retroactively to persons in appellant's situation. The new case relied upon by appellant, Colon I, is a Supreme Court of Ohio case. Therefore, appellant has not met these requirements necessary to entertain an untimely petition for post-conviction relief. Accordingly, appellant's petition was untimely.
{¶ 10} Notwithstanding, even if appellant had met the procedural requirements of R.C.
{¶ 11} Here, appellant's case was no longer pending at the time ofColon I, and the time for appealing any judgment had expired. Because his judgment was final before Colon I was announced, Colon I does not apply to appellant's conviction and sentencing. Therefore, regardless of whether appellant's motion is construed as a petition for post-conviction relief or a Civ. R. 60(B) motion, the trial court properly denied it. Appellant's assignment of error is overruled.
{¶ 12} Accordingly, appellant's assignment of error is overruled, and the judgment of the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas is affirmed.
Judgment affirmed.
BRYANT and SADLER, JJ., concur. *Page 1
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