State v. Bronston

Ohio Court of Appeals
State v. Bronston, 2012 Ohio 2631 (2012)
Gallagher

State v. Bronston

Opinion

[Cite as State v. Bronston,

2012-Ohio-2631

.]

Court of Appeals of Ohio EIGHTH APPELLATE DISTRICT COUNTY OF CUYAHOGA

JOURNAL ENTRY AND OPINION No. 97558

STATE OF OHIO PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE

vs.

EDWARD BRONSTON DEFENDANT-APPELLANT

JUDGMENT: AFFIRMED

Criminal Appeal from the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas Case No. CR-451589

BEFORE: S. Gallagher, J., Boyle, P.J., and Kilbane, J.

RELEASED AND JOURNALIZED: June 14, 2012 FOR APPELLANT

Edward Bronston, pro se Inmate No. 471-390 Marion Correctional Institution P.O. Box 57 Marion, OH 43302

ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEE

William D. Mason Cuyahoga County Prosecutor

By: Daniel T. Van Assistant Prosecuting Attorney The Justice Center, 8th Floor 1200 Ontario Street Cleveland, OH 44113 SEAN C. GALLAGHER, J.:

{¶1} This cause came to be heard upon the accelerated calendar pursuant to

App.R. 11.1 and Loc.R. 11.1, the trial court records, and briefs of counsel. Edward

Bronston appeals from the trial court’s order reinstating his reporting requirements under

Megan’s Law. For the following reasons, we affirm.

{¶2} In State v. Bronston, 8th Dist. No. 94936,

2011-Ohio-3576

(“Bronston I”),

this court reversed the trial court’s decision reclassifying Bronston under the Adam Walsh

Act and remanded the case for the limited purpose of reinstating Bronston’s Megan’s

Law reporting requirements. On remand, the trial court held a hearing in which

Bronston appeared, through video, with his attorney. The trial court reinstated

Bronston’s Megan’s Law reporting requirements. Bronston, pro se, appealed, raising

five assignments of error.

{¶3} Bronston argues as follows: the trial court erred by not allowing him to

address the court at the hearing; the trial court failed to address erroneous aspects of his

underlying sentence, originally imposed on July 21, 2004; and the trial court failed to

notify him of his right to appeal from the hearing reinstating his Megan’s Law reporting

requirements. We note that his argument about the notice of his appellate rights is moot

in light of the fact that this court granted him a delayed appeal. Bronston’s remaining

arguments are without merit. His arguments generally address issues the trial court was

without jurisdiction to resolve. {¶4} The scope of the remand from Bronston I was limited to reinstating

Bronston’s Megan’s Law reporting requirements. Trial courts have no authority to

extend the scope of remand limited by a mandate of this court. Nolan v. Nolan,

11 Ohio St.3d 1, 3

,

462 N.E.2d 410

(1984), citing Briggs v. Pennsylvania RR. Co.,

334 U.S. 304, 306

,

68 S.Ct. 1039

,

92 L.Ed. 1403

(1948). Bronston addressed the court during the

hearing and asked to introduce additional evidence unrelated to reinstating his Megan’s

Law reporting requirements. The court correctly denied his request in light of the

limited nature of the remand. See State v. Gates, 8th Dist. No. 82385,

2004-Ohio-1453, ¶ 9

(jurisdictional concerns dictate that trial courts are not free to exceed the scope of the

limited remand). The sole purpose of the remand was to reinstate Bronston’s original

reporting requirements. The trial court properly carried out its mandate and reinstated

his Megan’s Law reporting requirements. The trial court lacked jurisdiction to address

any aspect of Bronston’s original sentencing or conviction. His assignments of error are

accordingly overruled.

{¶5} The decision of the trial court is 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.

SEAN C. GALLAGHER, JUDGE

MARY J. BOYLE, P.J., and MARY EILEEN KILBANE, J., CONCUR

Reference

Cited By
5 cases
Status
Published