State v. Wilson
State v. Wilson
Opinion
{¶ 1} Appellant Jessie Wilson ["Wilson"] appeals his convictions and sentences after a jury trial in the Richland County Court of Common Pleas.
Facts and Procedural History
{¶ 2} In the months prior to September 1, 2016, officers of the Mansfield Police Department METRICH Enforcement Unit conducted surveillance on 321 and 329 West Sixth Street. The surveillance was initiated because of anonymous tips about drug activity at both locations. Ultimately, METRICH conducted two controlled buys with a confidential informant. During the first buy, the seller, Terry Hardin, was dropped off at 321 West Sixth while the confidential informant waited in the parking lot at the rear of the apartment building. Hardin was observed by the officers to walk over to 329 West Sixth Street, obtain drugs and return to the parking lot. The drugs were then exchanged with the confidential informant. During the second buy on August 25, 2016, the informant purchased the drugs inside 321 West Sixth Street. Wilson's vehicle, a red Chrysler Crossfire, was seen at 329 West Sixth Street on multiple occasions.
{¶ 3} On August 31, 2016, law enforcement officers obtained a search warrant from a Mansfield Municipal Court judge to search 329 West Sixth Street, Mansfield, Ohio. Wilson's neighbor, Edward Johnson, who lived at 319 West Sixth Street, identified Wilson to the police as living at 329 West Sixth Street. The morning of the raid, Mr. Johnson heard a knock and went to his front door. He saw Wilson enter the 321 West Sixth Street address. He had also previously seen Wilson walking his dog outside.
{¶ 4} When police executed the search warrant at 329 West Sixth Street they found a powdery substance out in the open, which later tested positive as .03 grams of cocaine. A digital scale and plastic baggies were also found. A baggie of marijuana, weighing 28.16 grams, and a baggie of heroin weighing 10.13 grams were found in a utility closet. A pill bottle with 68 Buspirone tablets, weighing 2.57 grams, was found on a mantle. Photographs, including Wilson's were seen on the mantel. When Wilson was arrested, he stated that he lived at 329 West Sixth Street. (1T. at 261).
{¶ 5} The jury found Wilson guilty of Possession of Heroin, over ten (10) grams and less than fifty (50) grams, a felony of the second degree; Possession of Cocaine, less than five (5) grams, a felony of the fifth degree; and Possession of Buspirone, with a prior drug conviction, a felony of the fifth degree.
{¶ 6} The trial court sentenced Wilson to an 8-year mandatory prison sentence on the possession of heroin charge, and twelve months each for the possession of cocaine and possession of Buspirone charges. All sentences were ordered to be served concurrently.
Assignments of Error
{¶ 7} Wilson raises three assignments of error,
{¶ 8} "I. DEFENDANT/APPELLANT [WAS] DENIED EFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE OF COUNSEL BY FAILING TO FILE A MOTION TO SUPPRESS EVIDENCE.
{¶ 9} "II. DEFENDANT/APPELLANT WAS DENIED EFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE OF COUNSEL BY FAILING TO FILE A DEMAND UNDER ORC § 2925.51 FOR THE CHEMIST TO TESTIFY AND FOR THE HEROIN TO BE AVAILABLE FOR AN INDEPENDENT EXPERT TO WEIGH THE HEROIN.
{¶ 10} "III. THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN IMPOSING THE MAXIMUM SENTENCE."
I.
{¶ 11} In his first assignment of error, Wilson contends that he was denied the effective assistance of trial counsel. Specifically, Wilson argues that his trial counsel should have filed a motion to suppress the search warrant issued in his case.
STANDARD OF APPELLATE REVIEW.
{¶ 12} To obtain a reversal of a conviction on the basis of ineffective assistance of counsel, the defendant must prove (1) that counsel's performance fell below an objective standard of reasonableness, and (2) that counsel's deficient performance prejudiced the defendant resulting in an unreliable or fundamentally unfair outcome of the proceeding.
Strickland v. Washington
,
State v. Madrigal
,
{¶ 13} Trial counsel's failure to file a suppression motion does not per se constitute ineffective assistance of counsel.
State v. Madrigal
,
ISSUES FOR APPEAL
A. Whether there is a reasonable probability a motion to suppress the search warrant would have been granted.
{¶ 14} Wilson contends that the search warrant "could not corroborate the information that Defendant/Appellant lived at 329 West Sixth Street..." [Appellant's Brief at 6].
1). Standing to object to the search of 329 West Sixth Street.
{¶ 15} Only those whose rights were violated by the search itself can urge suppression of evidence obtained in violation of the Fourth Amendment. Standing is not achieved solely by a person's status as a defendant or by introduction of damaging evidence.
Alderman v. United States
,
{¶ 16} In
Jones v. United States
,
{¶ 17} Automatic standing was eliminated in
Rakas v. Illinois
,
{¶ 18} The United States Supreme Court held that a court may not exclude evidence under the Fourth Amendment unless it finds that an unlawful search or seizure violated the defendant's own constitutional rights.
Rakas,
at 133-140,
{¶ 19} To the extent that Wilson argues that no corroborating evidence established that he lived at 329 West Sixth Street, he would not have had standing to challenge the search warrant issued and executed at that address. Thus, not filing a motion to suppress may have been a tactical decision by Wilson.
{¶ 20} A defendant has no constitutional right to determine trial tactics and strategy of counsel.
State v. Cowans
,
{¶ 21} Debatable strategic and tactical decisions may not form the basis of a claim for ineffective assistance of counsel.
State v. Phillips
,
B. Whether the affidavit in support of the search warrant contains sufficient probable cause upon which the reviewing court could issue the search warrant.
{¶ 22} Wilson contends that the affidavit contains references to anonymous tips without any indication concerning the veracity of the provider of the information.
{¶ 23} At the outset we note, the record before this Court contains neither the search warrant nor the affidavit in support of the search warrant. Accordingly, we generally presume the regularity of that proceeding and affirm.
State ex rel. Hoag v. Lucas Cty. Bd. of Elections
,
{¶ 24} Also, in
State v. Hooks
,
{¶ 25} In the alternative, we would in the interest of justice, note that the record does contain evidence that the premises were under surveillance by law enforcement and two controlled buys were conducted using a confidential informant. Law enforcement officers observed these buys.
{¶ 26} In reviewing the affidavit in this case, we are guided by the following instruction by the Ohio Supreme Court: " "[R]eviewing courts may not substitute their own judgment for that of the issuing magistrate by conducting a de novo determination as to whether the affidavit contains sufficient probable cause upon which the reviewing court would issue the search warrant. On the contrary, reviewing courts should accord great deference to the magistrate's determination of probable cause, and doubtful or marginal cases in this area should be resolved in favor of upholding the warrant."
State v. George,
{¶ 27} In assessing whether a party has met its burden of proof, the Ohio Supreme Court has stated, "[t]he degree of proof required is determined by the impression which the testimony of the witnesses makes upon the trier of facts, and the character of the testimony itself. Credibility, intelligence, freedom from bias or prejudice, opportunity to be informed, the disposition to tell the truth or otherwise, and the probability or improbability of the statements made, are all tests of testimonial value.
Cross v. Ledford
,
{¶ 28} Moreover, evidence obtained by a law enforcement officer acting in objectively reasonable reliance on a search warrant issued by a detached and neutral magistrate but ultimately found to be unsupported by probable cause will not be barred by the application of the exclusionary rule. See
George
,
{¶ 29} In the case at bar, the evidence discloses that in reliance upon the fact that unidentified citizen informants reported drug activity at the location the police conducted surveillance and two controlled buys from the premises. This would be sufficient probable cause upon which the reviewing court would issue the search warrant.
{¶ 30} As there is not a reasonable probability that a motion to suppress the search warrant would have been granted, trial counsel was not ineffective in failing to file the motion to suppress.
{¶ 31} Wilson's first assignment of error is overruled.
II.
{¶ 32} In his second assignment of error, Wilson argues he was denied effective assistance of counsel because counsel: 1). did not demand the chemist who weighed and analyzed the drugs testify at trial; 2). did not demand the heroin to be made available for independent testing and 3). did not demand an independent expert to weight the heroin.
STANDARD OF APPELLATE REVIEW.
{¶ 33} To obtain a reversal of a conviction on the basis of ineffective assistance of counsel, the defendant must prove (1) that counsel's performance fell below an objective standard of reasonableness, and (2) that counsel's deficient performance prejudiced the defendant resulting in an unreliable or fundamentally unfair outcome of the proceeding.
Strickland v. Washington
,
ISSUES FOR APPEAL
A. Whether Wilson was prejudiced by his attorney's failure to have the expert testify or to have the drugs re-weighed by an independent expert.
{¶ 34} In the case at bar, Wilson was charged with possession of more than 10 grams but less than 50 grams of heroin in violation of R.C. 2925.11(A) and R.C. 2925.11(C)(6)(d). The laboratory report submitted at trial indicates that 10.03 grams of heroin were recovered from the residence. (1T. at 256; State's Exhibit 33).
{¶ 35} Wilson agrees that he cannot demonstrate that live testimony of the chemist who weighed and analyzed the heroin would have changed the outcome of the jury verdict. Wilson contends, however, that given how little the weight of the heroin is over 10 grams trial counsel should have requested an independent analysis at least concerning the weight of the drug. [Appellant Brief at 10].
{¶ 36} Debatable trial tactics do not establish ineffective assistance of counsel.
State v. Hoffner
,
{¶ 37} In the case at bar, Wilson's argument that re-weighing the heroin would have resulted in a finding of less than 10 grams is entirely speculative. Here, the record reveals that trial counsel's decision to rely on cross-examination appears to have been a legitimate "tactical decision," especially in light of Wilson's defense at trial that the drugs were not his and there was no corroborating evidence to prove he even lived at the place where the drugs were recovered.
See,
State v. Foust
,
{¶ 38} Accordingly, the failure to demand the chemist testify at trial and to demand an independent expert reweigh the drugs cannot be considered ineffective assistance of counsel under the facts of this case.
{¶ 39} Wilson's second assignment of error is overruled.
III.
{¶ 40} In his third assignment of error, Wilson maintains that the trial court erred in imposing the maximum sentence for possession of heroin of more than 10 grams but less than 50 grams of heroin in violation of R.C. 2925.11(A) and R.C. 2925.11(C)(6)(d).
{¶ 41} R.C. 2925.11(C)(6) provides in pertinent part,
(d) If the amount of the drug involved equals or exceeds one hundred unit doses but is less than five hundred unit doses or equals or exceeds ten grams but is less than fifty grams, possession of heroin is a felony of the second degree, and the court shall impose as a mandatory prison term one of the prison terms prescribed for a felony of the second degree. (Emphasis added).
{¶ 42} Wilson was sentenced to the maximum sentence of eight years. R.C. 2929.14(A)(2).
STANDARD OF APPELLATE REVIEW.
{¶ 43} In accordance with R.C. 2953.08(A)(1), Wilson is entitled to appeal as of right the maximum sentence imposed on his conviction.
{¶ 44} We review felony sentences using the standard of review set forth in R.C. 2953.08.
State v. Marcum,
{¶ 45} Accordingly, pursuant to Marcum this Court may vacate or modify a felony sentence on appeal only if it determines by clear and convincing evidence that: (1) the record does not support the trial court's findings under relevant statutes, or (2) the sentence is otherwise contrary to law.
{¶ 46} Clear and convincing evidence is that evidence "which will provide in the mind of the trier of facts a firm belief or conviction as to the facts sought to be established."
Cross v. Ledford,
R.C. 2929.13(B).
{¶ 47} R.C. 2929.13(B) applies to one convicted of a fourth or fifth degree felony. This section does not apply to Wilson's appeal.
R.C. 2929.13(D).
{¶ 48} R.C. 2929.13(D) (1) applies to one convicted of a felony of the first or second degree, for a felony drug offense that is a violation of any provision of Chapter 2925., 3719., or 4729. of the Revised Code for which a presumption in favor of a prison term is specified as being applicable, and for a violation of division (A)(4) or (B) of section 2907.05 of the Revised Code for which a presumption in favor of a prison term is specified as being applicable.
{¶ 49} R.C. 2929.13(D) (1) provides that when sentencing for a first or second-degree felony "it is presumed that a prison sentence is necessary in order to comply with the purposes and principles of sentencing." Nonetheless, R.C. 2929.13(D)(2) provides that "[n]otwithstanding the presumption * * * the sentencing court may impose a community control sanction," (emphasis added), but only if the sentencing court finds that a community control sanction would (1) adequately punish the offender and protect the public from future crime, and (2) not demean the seriousness of the offense because the statutory less serious sentencing factors outweigh the more serious factors.
{¶ 50} However, in R.C. 2925.11(C)(6)(d), the legislature has mandated a prison sentence be imposed under the facts established at trial in Wilson's case. Thus, the trial court was not required to make any findings before imposing a mandatory prison sentence from within the range of prison sentences specified for a felony of the second degree.
R.C. 2929.14.
{¶ 51} R.C. 2929.14(B)(2)(e) concerns additional prison sentences that a trial court can impose upon a defendant under specified circumstances. Wilson was not given an additional prison sentence.
R.C. 2929.14(C).
{¶ 52} R.C. 2929.14(C)(4) concerns the imposition of consecutive sentences. The trial court imposed concurrent sentences in Wilson's case.
R.C. 2929.20.
{¶ 53} R.C. 2929.20 (I) is inapplicable, as Wilson was not applying to the court for judicial release.
R.C. 2929.11 and R.C. 2929.12.
{¶ 54} The Marcum court further noted,
We note that some sentences do not require the findings that R.C. 2953.08(G) specifically addresses. Nevertheless, it is fully consistent for appellate courts to review those sentences that are imposed solely after consideration of the factors in R.C. 2929.11 and 2929.12 under a standard that is equally deferential to the sentencing court. That is, an appellate court may vacate or modify any sentence that is not clearly and convincingly contrary to law only if the appellate court finds by clear and convincing evidence that the record does not support the sentence.
{¶ 55} R.C. 2929.11(A) governs the purposes and principles of felony sentencing and provides that a sentence imposed for a felony shall be reasonably calculated to achieve the two overriding purposes of felony sentencing, which are (1) to protect the public from future crime by the offender and others, and (2) to punish the offender using the minimum sanctions that the court determines will accomplish those purposes. Further, the sentence imposed shall be "commensurate with and not demeaning to the seriousness of the offender's conduct and its impact on the victim, and consistent with sentences imposed for similar crimes by similar offenders." R.C. 2929.11(B).
{¶ 56} R.C. 2929.12 sets forth the seriousness and recidivism factors for the sentencing court to consider in determining the most effective way to comply with the purposes and principles of sentencing set forth in R.C. 2929.11. The statute provides a non-exhaustive list of factors a trial court must consider when determining the seriousness of the offense and the likelihood that the offender will commit future offenses.
{¶ 57} In
State v. Kalish,
{¶ 58} "Thus, a record after
Foster
may be silent as to the judicial findings that appellate courts were originally meant to
review under 2953.08(G)(2)."
Kalish
at ¶ 12. However, although
Foster
eliminated mandatory judicial fact-finding, it left intact R.C. 2929.11 and 2929.12, and the trial court must still consider these statutes.
Kalish
at ¶ 13,
see also
State v. Mathis
,
{¶ 59} Thus, post-
Foster
, "there is no mandate for judicial fact-finding in the general guidance statutes. The court is merely to 'consider' the statutory factors."
Foster
at ¶ 42.
State v. Rutter
, 5th Dist. No. 2006-CA-0025,
{¶ 60} There is no requirement in R.C. 2929.12 that the trial court states on the record that it has considered the statutory criteria concerning seriousness and recidivism or even discussed them.
State v. Polick
,
{¶ 61} In the case at bar, the trial court made the following findings during Wilson's sentencing hearing,
THE COURT: All right. Coming to the factors that I am required to weigh under Ohio Revised Code 2929.12, has factors that I am required to consider in every case in sentencing which make the conduct more serious or less serious, which make recidivism, a repeat crime, more likely or less likely. In terms of factors which make the conduct more serious, the defendant acted as a part of organized criminal drug activity in the trade. That is the factor I see more serious. I don't see any that make it less serious.
In terms of recidivism, the factors that I see that make recidivism more likely is Mr. Wilson has a history of criminal convictions and including specifically a drug trafficking conviction and also possession of weapons, carrying a concealed weapon. Drugs and guns don't mix.
Also, I am seeing that he satisfies the factor of not responding favorably to sanctions imposed in the past for various types of drug crimes, including drug trafficking crimes.
And then, finally, he shows no genuine remorse. He has not conceded at all he is remorseful about what he did.
Given all of those factors and given the large quantity of heroin and the problem that it is in this community, I believe the appropriate sentence is 8 years of actual incarceration on Count 1; 12 months on each of the other counts, and they are concurrent with Count 1. So the sentence is 8 years There is a mandatory 3 years of Post Release Control.
2T. at 82-84. Accordingly, the trial court had considered the purposes and principles of sentencing [ R.C. 2929.11 ] as well as the factors that the court must consider when determining an appropriate sentence. [ R.C. 2929.12 ]. The trial court has no obligation to state reasons to support its findings. Nor is it required to give a talismanic incantation of the words of the statute, provided that the necessary findings can be found in the record and are incorporated into the sentencing entry.
{¶ 62} Wilson was sentenced for a felony of the second degree. The sentencing range for a second-degree felony is two, three, four, five, six, seven, or eight years. R.C. 2929.14(A)(2). Wilson was given a sentence of eight years, which is within the statutory range. Accordingly, the sentence is not contrary to law.
{¶ 63} Upon review, we find that the trial court's sentencing on the charges complies with applicable rules and sentencing statutes. The sentence was within the statutory sentencing range. Furthermore, the record reflects that the trial court considered the purposes and principles of sentencing and the seriousness and recidivism factors as required in Sections 2929.11 and 2929.12 of the Ohio Revised Code and advised Wilson regarding post release control. Upon a thorough review, we find the record clearly and convincing supports the sentence imposed by the trial court.
{¶ 64} While Wilson may disagree with the weight given to these factors by the trial judge, Wilson's sentence was within the applicable statutory range for a felony of the second degree and therefore, we have no basis for concluding that it is contrary to law.
{¶ 65} Wilson's third assignment of error is overruled.
{¶ 66} The judgment of the Richland County Court of Common Pleas is affirmed.
Wise, John, P.J., and Hoffman, J., concur
Reference
- Full Case Name
- STATE of Ohio, Plaintiff-Appellee v. Jessie WILSON, Defendant-Appellant
- Cited By
- 10 cases
- Status
- Published
- Syllabus
- Ineffective assistance/maximum sentence