[Cite as State v. MacDonald,

.]

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS FIRST APPELLATE DISTRICT OF OHIO HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO

STATE OF OHIO, : APPEAL NO. C-180310 TRIAL NO. B-1703187 Plaintiff-Appellee, : vs. O P I N I O N. : BRENDAN MACDONALD,

Defendant-Appellant. :

Criminal Appeal From: Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas

Judgment Appealed From Is: Affirmed in Part, Reversed in Part, and Cause Remanded

Date of Judgment Entry on Appeal: September 6, 2019

Joseph T. Deters, Hamilton County Prosecuting Attorney, and Alex Scott Havlin, Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, for Plaintiff-Appellee,

Michaela M. Stagnaro, for Defendant-Appellant. OHIO FIRST DISTRICT COURT OF APPEALS

CROUSE, Judge.

{¶1} Defendant-appellant Brendan MacDonald fired a gun into his

neighbor’s yard, and then engaged in a shootout with the responding police officers

outside of his home. He now appeals his convictions and sentences for attempted

murder and felonious assault.

{¶2} MacDonald raises three assignments of error: (1) the evidence was

insufficient as a matter of law to convict him of attempted murder and felonious

assault, or the convictions were against the manifest weight of the evidence, (2) the

trial court erred by overruling his motion for new trial, and (3) his sentences were

contrary to law.

{¶3} Since the trial court failed to make one of the findings required for

imposing consecutive sentences, MacDonald’s third assignment of error is sustained

as to the consecutive nature of his sentences, and his case is remanded for a new

sentencing hearing on that issue alone. In all other respects, the judgment of the

trial court is affirmed.

Factual Background

{¶4} Charles Gutknecht, a neighbor of MacDonald, was sitting in his garage

on May 28, 2017, when he heard a “raucous” on the street. He walked down his

driveway to see what was happening and he saw MacDonald in the street, holding a

handgun. MacDonald told Gutknecht that “he was hunting demons,” and that “he

was going to kill some demons.” Then MacDonald fired a shot, not at Gutknecht, but

about six feet away into his yard. MacDonald then turned towards Gutknecht,

pointed the gun directly at him, and told him that he was a demon and that he was

going to kill him. As Gutknecht backed away up his driveway, MacDonald lowered

2 OHIO FIRST DISTRICT COURT OF APPEALS

the gun and walked back toward his house. Gutknecht went inside and called the

police.

{¶5} Multiple police officers and sheriff’s deputies arrived at MacDonald’s

house at about the same time. Deputy Nicholas Price and Officer Scott Celender

parked on the east side of MacDonald’s house. Deputy James Whitacre and Officers

Joseph Smith, Russell Schuckmann, and Jeremy Richmond took up positions to the

west of the house. The incident was captured by the body cams and dash cams of

Officers Celender, Richmond, and Schuckmann.

{¶6} MacDonald was sitting on his front porch. As Price approached, he

could hear MacDonald talking somewhat incoherently, saying things like “Satan,

you’re the devil.” As Price was trying to talk to him, MacDonald stood up, picked up

a handgun, and walked into the house. Price was standing on the street, about 15-20

yards from the house. MacDonald reentered the doorway, pointed the gun at Price,

and started shooting. Price ducked and returned fire. MacDonald went back into his

house as Price took cover behind his cruiser. MacDonald then came back out of the

house and shot at Price again. Price and Richmond returned fire and MacDonald

retreated into the house again.

{¶7} Celender was on the east side of the garage when he heard Price yell at

MacDonald to drop the gun, and then he heard shots. Celender went to his cruiser to

get his rifle. While behind his cruiser, he saw MacDonald in the doorway with the

gun at his side, so Celender started talking to MacDonald, trying to figure out what

he was upset about, and telling him to put the gun down. Celender testified that

MacDonald said, “I’m gonna kill you cops, I’m gonna kill all of you.” On the videos

3 OHIO FIRST DISTRICT COURT OF APPEALS

from Celender’s dash and body cams, MacDonald can also be heard saying “get off

my property” and “I know what you are.”

{¶8} MacDonald raised his gun in Celender’s direction before lowering it

and turning towards Whitacre, Richmond, Smith, and Schuckmann. MacDonald

peered around the door before sticking his arm out the door and firing at Whitacre,

Richmond, Smith, and Schuckmann. Price and Richmond returned fire. MacDonald

went back in the house, shut the door, and did not emerge again until hours later, at

which time he was apprehended by SWAT.

{¶9} Price did not know how close the bullets came to hitting him or the

other officers, just that shots were fired directly at him. Smith, Whitacre, and

Richmond all testified that they believed MacDonald was firing at them.

Schuckmann testified that he heard a bullet “whiz by.” MacDonald never fired at

Celender. Officer John Mulholland processed the crime scene. He only recovered

one bullet fragment fired by MacDonald. It was in the door of one of the cruisers.

{¶10} MacDonald was the only defense witness. He testified that “everyone

looked like a demon to me,” including Gutknecht and the officers. He said he fired a

shot into Gutknecht’s yard to “back him off, keep him away from me,” and that he

was not trying to injure Gutknecht. MacDonald testified that he did not remember

shooting at the officers, but that he had seen the videos from the incident. He said he

was not trying to kill anyone, and that he was just trying to get the officers to leave

him alone because they all looked like demons.

4 OHIO FIRST DISTRICT COURT OF APPEALS

Insufficient Evidence/ Manifest Weight of the Evidence

{¶11} In his first assignment of error, MacDonald argues that the evidence

presented at trial was insufficient to sustain the convictions, and that the convictions

were against the manifest weight of the evidence.

{¶12} The test for determining if there was sufficient evidence to sustain a

conviction is whether,

after viewing the probative evidence and inferences reasonably drawn

therefrom in the light most favorable to the prosecution, any rational trier

of fact could have found all the essential elements of the offense beyond a

reasonable doubt.

State v. Martin,

,

(1st Dist. 1983). It is a

question of law for the court to determine, the court is not to weigh the evidence.

{¶13} To prove an attempt, the state must prove that the offender purposely

did or omitted to do something which is “a substantial step in a course of conduct

planned to culminate in the commission of the crime.” State v. Group,

,

,

, ¶ 95. To count as a substantial step, the

conduct must be “strongly corroborative of the actor’s criminal purpose.”

{¶14} To convict MacDonald of attempted murder, the state had to prove

that MacDonald purposely or knowingly engaged in conduct which, if successful,

would have purposely caused the death of another, or caused the death of another as

a proximate result of his committing or attempting to commit an offense of violence

that is a first- or second-degree felony, besides voluntary or involuntary

manslaughter. R.C. 2923.02(A) and 2903.02.

5 OHIO FIRST DISTRICT COURT OF APPEALS

{¶15} MacDonald claims that he did not purposely or knowingly attempt to

kill the officers. He argues that he merely wanted the police to leave him alone. This

is belied by the witness testimony and the videos.

{¶16} On three separate occasions he fired at police despite multiple

warnings and commands by police. All of the officers, except Celender, testified that

MacDonald pointed the gun at them and fired at them. Their testimonies were

consistent and backed up by dash and body camera footage. Celender also testified

that MacDonald told him, “I’m gonna kill you cops, I’m gonna kill all of you.”

{¶17} Furthermore, in an attempted-murder prosecution, a defendant’s

specific intent to kill another can be inferred from the defendant’s shooting in the

victim’s direction. State v. Hendrix, 1st Dist. Hamilton Nos. C-160194 and C-

150200,

. Thus, even without Celender’s testimony, the jury

was permitted to infer from MacDonald’s actions in shooting at the officers that he

acted purposely.

{¶18} The act of shooting at the officers was strongly corroborative of

MacDonald’s criminal purpose—to kill the officers—and was a substantial step

towards his commission of the offense of murder.

{¶19} To convict MacDonald of felonious assault, the state had to prove that

he knowingly caused or attempted to cause physical harm to the victims by means of

a deadly weapon. R.C. 2903.11(A).

{¶20} Pointing a firearm, coupled with additional evidence indicating an

intention to use the firearm, is sufficient to establish felonious assault. State v.

Alexander, 1st Dist. Hamilton Nos. C-100593 and C-100594,

;

see State v. Green,

,

(1991). In Alexander,

6 OHIO FIRST DISTRICT COURT OF APPEALS

when the defendant was approached by police officers he concealed something in his

waistband and fled. Alexander at ¶ 6. When an officer cornered him in a building,

Alexander turned and pointed a gun at the officer.

The officer fired first, hitting

Alexander before he could fire at the officer.

This court held that there was

sufficient evidence to convict Alexander of felonious assault for attempting to cause

physical harm to the officer by means of a deadly weapon. Id. at ¶ 14.

{¶21} MacDonald was convicted of the felonious assaults of Charles

Gutknecht and Officer Celender. In Gutknecht’s instance, MacDonald fired a shot a

few feet away from Gutknecht, and then pointed his firearm at Gutknecht and

threatened to kill him. Although MacDonald never fired a shot near Celender,

MacDonald threatened to kill him and the other officers, and then pointed the gun at

Celender, all after already firing multiple shots at Price. In both instances,

MacDonald pointed the firearm at the victims and indicated an intention to use it.

{¶22} MacDonald was found guilty of all accompanying firearm

specifications. For each of his five attempted-murder convictions, MacDonald was

found guilty under R.C. 2941.1412(A), and sentenced according to R.C.

2929.14(B)(1)(f)(i) for discharging a firearm at a peace officer while committing

attempted murder. As discussed above, the state presented sufficient evidence that

MacDonald shot at the officers while attempting to kill them.

{¶23} For each of his two convictions for felonious assault, MacDonald was

found guilty under R.C. 2941.145(A), and sentenced according to R.C.

2929.14(B)(1)(a)(ii) for having on or about his person, or under his control, a

firearm, indicating that he possessed the firearm, or using it to facilitate the offense

of felonious assault. As discussed above, the state presented sufficient evidence that

7 OHIO FIRST DISTRICT COURT OF APPEALS

MacDonald indicated that he possessed the firearm by pointing it at Gutknecht and

Celender.

{¶24} Once we have determined there was sufficient evidence presented to

sustain the convictions, we consider MacDonald’s claim that the convictions were

against the manifest weight of the evidence. In doing so, we review the record, weigh

the evidence and all reasonable inferences, consider the credibility of the witnesses,

and determine whether the jury “clearly lost its way and created such a manifest

miscarriage of justice that the conviction must be overturned.” Martin,

,

. Reversal and grant of a new trial should only be done

in “exceptional cases in which the evidence weighs heavily against the conviction.”

{¶25} MacDonald testified that he was not trying to hurt the officers, and

was only firing at them because he thought they were demons and wanted them to go

away. But, he also testified that he did not actually remember the incident, and only

knew of the events from watching the videos later.

{¶26} The state presented substantial evidence of MacDonald’s guilt.

MacDonald’s lack of accuracy, that most of the officers could not tell how close the

shots were to actually hitting them and that police only recovered one bullet

fragment, and MacDonald’s contradictory testimony do not indicate that the

convictions were against the manifest weight of the evidence. The testimony and

video footage provide ample evidence that MacDonald was firing at the officers, and

that he threatened and pointed his gun at Gutknecht and Celender.

{¶27} The jury was free to weigh MacDonald’s testimony with that of the

officers and Gutknecht, and they did not lose their way in believing the officers and

8 OHIO FIRST DISTRICT COURT OF APPEALS

Gutknecht, and convicting MacDonald. MacDonald’s convictions were not against

the manifest weight of the evidence.

Competency

{¶28} In his second assignment of error, MacDonald argues that because he

was incompetent during trial, the trial court erred when it overruled his motion for a

new trial. In the alternative, he argues that Dr. Dreyer’s March 6 report finding him

incompetent to be sentenced presented sufficient good cause that the court should

have at least held an evidentiary hearing on his motion for a new trial.

{¶29} Issues regarding MacDonald’s competency were raised before and

after trial. The court ordered psychiatrist Dr. Carla Dreyer of the Court Clinic to

determine whether MacDonald was competent to stand trial and whether he met the

criteria for a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity. She issued two reports in July

2017, recommending that MacDonald be found competent to stand trial, and that he

did not meet the criteria for a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity. The court

found MacDonald competent to stand trial, but referred him back to the Court Clinic

for a second opinion as to whether he met the criteria for a plea of not guilty by

reason of insanity. In September 2017, Dr. Emily Davis issued a report determining

that MacDonald did not meet the criteria for a plea of not guilty by reason of

insanity. MacDonald initially pled not guilty and not guilty by reason of insanity, but

did not present a defense of not guilty by reason of insanity at trial. Rather, he

argued that he lacked the requisite mens rea.

{¶30} On February 21, 2018, after the jury’s verdict, the court ordered Dr.

Dreyer to conduct an “advisability of treatment evaluation” of MacDonald. Dr.

Dreyer conducted the evaluation and informed the court that MacDonald was

9 OHIO FIRST DISTRICT COURT OF APPEALS

presenting symptoms of severe depression, auditory hallucinations, and psychosis.

On February 27, 2018, the court ordered an emergency clinic to be conducted to

determine MacDonald’s competency to be sentenced.

{¶31} On March 6, Dr. Dreyer issued a report recommending that

MacDonald be found incompetent to be sentenced. On March 7, both parties agreed

to a 20-day stay at Summit Behavioral Health, where MacDonald was further

evaluated.

{¶32} Also on March 7, defense attorney Ed Keller filed a Crim.R. 33 motion

for a new trial, arguing that in light of Dr. Dreyer’s March 6 report, MacDonald had

not been competent to stand trial. Keller then withdrew as counsel in case he would

have to testify at a future hearing as to MacDonald’s competency during trial.

MacDonald was appointed new counsel.

{¶33} We review a trial court’s decision on a motion for a new trial for an

abuse of discretion, and will not reverse unless the trial court’s decision was

“unreasonable, arbitrary, or unconscionable.” State v. Robertson, 1st Dist. Hamilton

No. C-160681,

, appeal not allowed,

, 2018-

Ohio-923,

.

{¶34} Under Crim.R. 33(A), a defendant will be granted a new trial if he

shows that his substantial rights were materially affected by an “irregularity in the

proceedings, or in any order or ruling of the court, or abuse of discretion by the

court, because of which the defendant was prevented from having a fair trial.”

{¶35} The issue of competence may be raised after a trial has commenced,

even after the guilt phase of the trial is complete. State v. Berry,

,

(1995); R.C. 2945.37(B). When the issue is raised after trial

10 OHIO FIRST DISTRICT COURT OF APPEALS

has commenced, the court will only hold a competency hearing upon good cause

shown.

“Good cause shown” has been construed as requiring objective

indications of incompetence—such as the defendant’s conduct, specific references by

defense counsel of irrational behavior by the defendant, or medical reports. State v.

Chapin,

,

(1981).

{¶36} Regarding the test for competency, R.C. 2945.37(G) presumes that a

defendant is competent to stand trial. It is only if, after a hearing,

the court finds by a preponderance of the evidence that, because of the

defendant's present mental condition, the defendant is incapable of

understanding the nature and objective of the proceedings against the

defendant or of assisting in the defendant's defense, the court shall find

the defendant incompetent to stand trial.

{¶37} On April 11, 2018, the trial court held a hearing during which it

considered two competency reports prepared on MacDonald. The first was the

report dated March 6, 2018, prepared by Dr. Dreyer, in which she recommended that

MacDonald be found incompetent to be sentenced. The second was a report dated

April 10, 2018, prepared by Dr. April Sutton of Summit Behavioral Health, in which

she recommended that MacDonald be found competent to be sentenced. Both

parties stipulated that the doctors would testify in accordance with their reports. The

court said it had read both reports, and based on its observations of MacDonald

during his six-day trial, it found the report prepared by Dr. Sutton to more accurately

reflect MacDonald’s competency. The court found MacDonald competent for

sentencing.

11 OHIO FIRST DISTRICT COURT OF APPEALS

{¶38} The court also addressed MacDonald’s motion for a new trial at the

April 11 hearing. MacDonald’s defense counsel told the court that he was prepared to

argue the motion. Defense counsel said, in relation to the issue of MacDonald’s

competency during trial,

I would say that we could also, perhaps, make the assumption that Mr.

Keller didn’t raise the issue because he didn’t believe it was an issue

during the trial. However, we do not have his direct testimony, and I

think that’s the only thing that the trial court is missing today that could

be relevant, that could be heard in an evidentiary hearing. We’ll leave it

up to the court to determine whether or not that’s something that we

should – we should hear at a future date in an evidentiary hearing.

{¶39} The state argued that the court had all of the evidence that it needed,

and that Keller could have raised competency as an issue at trial if he thought it was

a problem, and so it was not necessary to hear his testimony.

{¶40} The court decided it was not necessary to hear Keller’s testimony on

MacDonald’s competence, and denied the motion for new trial. The court based its

decision on MacDonald having been found competent before trial, the court’s ability

to observe MacDonald during the trial (including his “cogent” testimony), the court’s

experience handling the mental-health docket since 2011, its perception that

MacDonald had communicated effectively with Keller during trial, and the fact that

Keller did not raise any competency concerns during trial.

{¶41} Dr. Dreyer’s March 6 report satisfied the good-cause requirement such

that the court was required to hold an evidentiary hearing. That is exactly what the

court did on April 11. It merely didn’t have Keller’s testimony to consider, a piece of

12 OHIO FIRST DISTRICT COURT OF APPEALS

evidence which defense counsel decided to proceed without, and which all parties

acknowledged was likely of minimal value since Keller did not raise competency as a

concern at trial.

{¶42} The trial court held an evidentiary hearing on the motion for a new

trial as required. Its decision to overrule MacDonald’s motion for new trial was not

unreasonable, arbitrary, or unconscionable, and thus was not an abuse of discretion.

Sentencing

{¶43} In his third assignment of error, MacDonald claims that the trial court

erred as a matter of law when it improperly sentenced him. He argues that the trial

court failed to give the required notifications for DNA testing, to properly consider

the purposes and principles of sentencing, and to make the findings required for

imposing consecutive sentences.

{¶44} The court sentenced MacDonald to eight years on each attempted-

murder conviction and seven years on each accompanying gun specification. For the

felonious-assault convictions, the court imposed sentences of five years each, with

three-year gun specifications to run consecutive to each. Multiple of the 13 sentences

were ordered to run consecutive to each other, for an aggregate sentence of 53 years.

{¶45} It is undisputed that the trial court failed to inform MacDonald of the

requirement to submit to DNA testing as required by R.C. 2901.07(B)(1).

Nevertheless, R.C. 2901.07(B)(1) does not confer substantive rights on the

defendant, and failure to give such notifications is harmless error. State v. Taylor,

1st Dist. Hamilton No. C-150488,

.

13 OHIO FIRST DISTRICT COURT OF APPEALS

{¶46} The trial court is required to consider the purposes and principles of

sentencing under R.C. 2929.11, and the factors under R.C. 2929.12, but it need not

make specific findings. State v. Cephas, 1st Dist. Hamilton No. C-190105, 2019-

Ohio-52, ¶ 42, appeal not allowed,

,

,

. We can presume from a silent record that the trial court considered the

appropriate factors unless the defendant affirmatively shows that the court failed to

do so. Id. Where the defendant’s sentences are within the statutory ranges, it is his

burden to demonstrate that the court did not consider the appropriate factors. Id.;

see State v. Bedell,

,

(1st Dist.).

{¶47} An appellate court can only modify or vacate a felony sentence if it

finds by clear and convincing evidence that the sentence is contrary to law, or that

the record does not support the sentencing court’s mandatory findings. State v.

White,

,

, ¶ 11 (1st Dist.); see R.C. 2953.08(G)(2).

{¶48} According to R.C. 2929.11(A), the overriding purposes of felony

sentencing are to “protect the public from future crime by the offender and others, to

punish the offender, and to promote the effective rehabilitation of the offender using

the minimum sanctions that the court determines accomplish those purposes.”

{¶49} R.C. 2929.12(B), (C), (D), and (E) delineate the seriousness and

recidivism factors the court considers in crafting a sentence that complies with R.C.

2929.11.

{¶50} MacDonald argues that the trial court failed to consider the mitigating

factors under R.C. 2929.12(C)(3) and (4), and factors under R.C. 2929.12(E)(3) and

(4) which indicated that recidivism was less likely. MacDonald’s sentences are

14 OHIO FIRST DISTRICT COURT OF APPEALS

within the statutory ranges, so it is his burden to show that the court did not consider

the appropriate factors.

{¶51} R.C. 2929.12(C)(3) states that the offender did not cause or expect to

cause physical harm to any person or property in committing the offense. The record

and the jury’s finding of guilt for attempted murder and felonious assault belie

MacDonald’s assertions regarding this factor.

{¶52} Under R.C. 2929.12(C)(4), MacDonald argues that, although not

enough to constitute a defense, his mental-health issues serve as substantial grounds

to mitigate his conduct, and that the trial court erred when it failed to consider his

mental-health concerns in mitigation.

{¶53} The defense attorney argued at the sentencing hearing that

MacDonald’s sentence should be mitigated due to his mental illness, and the trial

court acknowledged her awareness of his mental-health issues. The judge was also

present throughout the pretrial and posttrial proceedings where MacDonald’s

competency was at issue. As discussed above, the judge found him competent to

stand trial and competent to be sentenced after reviewing multiple medical reports.

She was keenly aware of his mental-health issues. MacDonald has not shown by

clear and convincing evidence that the court failed to consider his mental-health

issues in crafting his sentence.

{¶54} Under R.C. 2929.12(E)(3) and (4), MacDonald argues that recidivism

is less likely because he was a law-abiding citizen for a significant number of years,

and the circumstances which led to the offense are not likely to recur.

{¶55} It is undisputed that MacDonald’s prior criminal record is very light,

and is limited to minor traffic and misdemeanor offenses. MacDonald presented

15 OHIO FIRST DISTRICT COURT OF APPEALS

evidence of his lack of a prior record at the hearing. There is no indication in the

record that the court failed to consider MacDonald’s lack of a prior criminal record.

MacDonald also argued at the hearing that if he had been on his medication that day,

the incident never would have happened. But, MacDonald did not provide the court

with any assurance that he would not go off his medication again in the future.

Regardless, there is no indication in the record that the court did not consider the

R.C. 2929.12(E)(4) factor.

{¶56} MacDonald has failed to prove by clear and convincing evidence that

the trial court failed to consider the principles and purposes of sentencing in

rendering his sentence.

{¶57} A trial court imposing consecutive sentences must make the findings

required by R.C. 2929.14(C)(4) at the sentencing hearing and incorporate its findings

into its sentencing entry. State v. Bonnell,

,

,

. No “talismanic incantation” is given to the words of R.C.

2929.14(C)(4).

As long as the reviewing court can discern that the trial court

engaged in the correct analysis and the record contains evidence to support the

findings, consecutive sentences should be upheld. Id. at ¶ 29.

{¶58} At the sentencing hearing, the trial court made two out of the three

mandatory consecutive sentence findings pursuant to R.C. 2929.14(C)(4). The court

said that “consecutive sentence[s are] necessary to protect the public and [are] not

disproportionate to the seriousness of the offender’s conduct and the danger he

poses to the public.” The court was then required to make a finding under

subsection (a), (b), or (c), but failed to do so.

16 OHIO FIRST DISTRICT COURT OF APPEALS

{¶59} In its sentencing entry, the trial court did include all of the R.C.

2929.14(C)(4) findings, including subsection (b).

{¶60} The court appeared to attempt to make the R.C. 2929.14(C)(4)(b)

finding at the hearing when it said, “And also I find that the harm caused by these 13

offenses committed adequately reflects the seriousness of the conduct of the sentence

on this.”

{¶61} The actual language of R.C. 2929.14(C)(4)(b) is,

at least two of the multiple offenses were committed as part of one or

more courses of conduct, and the harm caused by two or more of the

multiple offenses so committed was so great or unusual that no single

prison term for any of the offenses committed as part of any of the

courses of conduct adequately reflects the seriousness of the offender's

conduct.

{¶62} In State v. C.G., 10th Dist. Franklin No. 14AP-1005,

, the 10th District held that the third finding was met by subsection (b) from

the trial judge’s statements that he would have sentenced the defendant to more

years in prison if he had the option, and “I feel that the factors of a continuous course

of conduct were met here pursuant to Section b.”

{¶63} There are multiple other cases in which an appellate court was able to

discern a finding under subsection (b) even though the trial court did not use the

exact language of the statute. See, e.g., State v. Tucker, 9th Dist. Lorain Nos.

16CA010963 and 16CA010964,

(the trial court used a

shortened version of the statutory text—“[a] single prison term would not adequately

reflect the seriousness of defendant's conduct.”); State v. Blanton, 4th Dist. Adams

17 OHIO FIRST DISTRICT COURT OF APPEALS

No. 16CA1031,

, ¶ 100 (the trial court noted the great harm caused by

defendant and similarly used a shortened version of text when it said that it was

unaware of “any sentence that would adequately reflect the seriousness of this

conduct.”).

{¶64} Pursuant to Bonnell and its progeny, the trial court need not recite the

exact words of R.C. 2929.14(C)(4) in order to impose consecutive sentences. But, the

statement by the court in MacDonald’s case is a far cry from the actual language of

R.C. 2929.14(C)(4)(b), and from cases which utilized shortened versions of the

statutory text.

{¶65} Where the trial court fails to make a required finding at a sentencing

hearing for consecutive sentences under R.C. 2929.14(C)(4), the error cannot be

cured nunc pro tunc, and the proper remedy is remand for a new hearing. State v.

Beasley,

,

,

.

{¶66} Since the trial court failed to make one of the required consecutive

sentencing findings during the sentencing hearing, MacDonald’s third assignment of

error is sustained as to the consecutive nature of his sentences, and his case is

remanded for a new sentencing hearing on that issue alone. The third assignment of

error is overruled in all other respects.

Conclusion

{¶67} There was sufficient evidence to sustain MacDonald’s convictions, and

his convictions were not against the manifest weight of the evidence, so his first

assignment of error is overruled. The trial court held an evidentiary hearing on

MacDonald’s motion for a new trial, and did not abuse its discretion in denying his

motion, so MacDonald’s second assignment of error is overruled. Since the trial

18 OHIO FIRST DISTRICT COURT OF APPEALS

court failed to make one of the required consecutive sentencing findings during the

sentencing hearing, MacDonald’s third assignment of error is sustained as to the

consecutive nature of his sentences, and his case is remanded for a new sentencing

hearing on that issue alone. His sentences and the trial court’s judgment are

affirmed in all other respects.

Judgment affirmed in part, reversed in part, and cause remanded.

BERGERON, J., concurs. MOCK, P.J., concurs in part and dissents in part.

MOCK, P.J., concurring in part and dissenting in part.

{¶68} While I agree with the majority opinion on most matters, I do not

agree that the imposition of consecutive sentences must be reversed because the

appropriate findings were not made.

{¶69} “R.C. 2929.14(C)(4) requires the trial court to make statutory findings

prior to imposing consecutive sentences, and Crim.R. 32(A)(4) therefore directs the

court to state those findings at the time of imposing sentence.” State v. Bonnell,

,

,

. That statutory provision

provides that the trial court must first find that the defendant’s service of consecutive

sentences is necessary either to protect the public from future crime or to punish the

offender.

The trial court must then find that consecutive sentences are not

disproportionate either to the defendant’s conduct or to the danger he poses to the

public.

Finally, the trial court must find one of the subsections applicable:

(a) The offender committed one or more of the multiple

offenses while the offender was awaiting trial or sentencing, was under

a sanction imposed pursuant to section 2929.16, 2929.17, or 2929.18

19 OHIO FIRST DISTRICT COURT OF APPEALS

of the Revised Code, or was under post-release control for a prior

offense.

(b) At least two of the multiple offenses were committed as part

of one or more courses of conduct, and the harm caused by two or

more of the multiple offenses so committed was so great or unusual

that no single prison term for any of the offenses committed as part of

any of the courses of conduct adequately reflects the seriousness of the

offender's conduct.

(c) The offender's history of criminal conduct demonstrates

that consecutive sentences are necessary to protect the public from

future crime by the offender.

R.C. 2929.14(C)(4)(a)-(c).

{¶70} The majority found, and I agree, that the trial court clearly made the

first two findings, and that those findings are supported by the record. But I do not

agree that the trial court failed to make the required third finding.

{¶71} In the transcript of the sentencing hearing, the trial court is recorded

as having stated the following: “And I also find that the harm caused by these 13

offenses committed adequately reflects the seriousness of the conduct of the sentence

on this.” It appears that the trial court was attempting to read R.C. 2929.14(C)(4)(b),

but lost its place in the middle. Comparing the language recited by the trial court to

the language of the statute, we see:

At least two of the multiple offenses were committed as part of one or

more courses of conduct, and the harm caused by [these 13

offenses] so committed was so great or unusual that no single

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prison term for any of the offenses committed as part of any of the

courses of conduct adequately reflects the seriousness of the

offender's conduct.

The trial court did, however, recite the appropriate finding language from R.C.

2929.14(C)(4)(b) in its entry.

{¶72} The majority properly notes that the trial court is not required to

recite the language verbatim, citing a number of cases where appellate courts were

able to determine the provision referred to from the language used during the

sentencing hearing. But the majority then went on to conclude that “the statement

by the court in MacDonald’s case is a far cry from the actual language of R.C.

2929.14(C)(4)(b), and from the cases which utilized shortened versions of the

statutory text.” I disagree.

{¶73} In a case from the Eighth Appellate District, the trial court had

imposed consecutive sentences after stating that, among other things, “I feel that the

factors of a continuous course of conduct were met here pursuant to Section B.”

State v. C.G., 10th Dist. Franklin No. 14AP-1005,

. The trial

court also made statements that “this is one of the worst ones I’ve seen under these

scenarios” and “if I could give you more, I would.” The court found that it could

discern from the trial court's statements regarding the seriousness of

appellant's conduct and its statement indicating appellant's conduct

warranted more than the ten-year sentence maximum allowed, that

the court believed the harm caused by the multiple offenses here was

so great or unusual for a gross sexual imposition charge that no single

prison term would be adequate.

21 OHIO FIRST DISTRICT COURT OF APPEALS

Id. at ¶ 46.

{¶74} Likewise, the Ninth Appellate District has addressed the issue. In one

case, the trial court had shortened the language of R.C. 2929.14(C)(4)(b) into a

finding that “[a] single prison term would not adequately reflect the seriousness of

defendant's conduct.” State v. Tucker, 9th Dist. Lorain No. 16CA010963, 2017-Ohio-

4215, ¶ 14. This was enough to allow the court to “discern from the court's language

that it engaged in the analysis required under Section 2929.14(C)(4)(b).” Id. In

another case, the trial court stated that “given the harm caused and a single term is

not adequately reflecting the seriousness of the offense, given your history, these

consecutive terms are necessary to protect the public.” State v. Kilmire, 9th Dist.

Summit No. 27319,

, ¶ 17. The court similarly concluded that “[w]hile

the trial court may not have used the precise language of the statute at all times, it is

clear from the record that the trial court undertook the appropriate analysis and

made the requisite findings.”

{¶75} Similarly, the Fourth Appellate District addressed the issue. State v.

Blanton, 4th Dist. Adams No. 16CA1031,

. In that case, the trial

court imposed consecutive sentences, making the statement on the record that it was

unaware of “any sentence that would adequately reflect the seriousness of the

conduct.” Id. at ¶ 100. The trial court had noted the seriousness of the charges and

found that the conduct was “heinous.” The court then concluded that “[f]rom the

trial court's statements at the sentencing hearing and the language used in the

sentencing entry, it is clear that the trial court complied with the dictates of R.C.

2929.14(C)(4).” Id. at ¶ 101.

22 OHIO FIRST DISTRICT COURT OF APPEALS

{¶76} This case is distinguishable from our recent decision in State v.

Jackson, 1st Dist. Hamilton No. C-180245,

. In that case, the court

reviewed the cases outlined above and found the trial court’s recitation lacking.

Unlike in C.G., the trial judge in Jackson's case did not

reference subsection (b) of R.C. 2929.14(C)(4), nor did he say that he

would impose more time if able to. Unlike in Tucker and Blanton, the

judge did not use a shortened form of the language of subsection (b).

In fact, there is nothing in the trial court's statements during the

sentencing hearing which tracks or paraphrases the language of

subsection (b).

Id. at ¶ 42.

{¶77} In this case, while the trial court did not reference the subsection by

name as in C.G., it did use a shortened form of subsection (b) as in Tucker, Kilmire,

and Blanton. Unlike in Jackson, we can

discern from the record that the trial court properly considered the

proportionality of the sentence, or that it made a finding under

subsection (b) that the offenses were committed as part of one or more

courses of conduct, and the harm caused by two or more of the

multiple offenses was so great or unusual that a single prison term for

any of the offenses would be inadequate.

Id. at 43.

{¶78} During the sentencing hearing, the trial court discussed how

incredibly serious MacDonald’s conduct was.

23 OHIO FIRST DISTRICT COURT OF APPEALS

Firing a gun at law enforcement is about the most dangerous

thing anyone can do. We just can’t have it. It’s just a flat miracle, as I

said before, that no one, no one, was either injured or killed.

Also, they clearly put his neighbor through aiming a gun at

him and shooting a gun into his yard, it’s frightening and it’s just too

dangerous.

And also I find that the harm caused by these 13 offenses

committed adequately reflects the seriousness of the conduct of the

sentence on this.

The trial court clearly meant to recite the language of R.C. 2929.14(C)(4)(b), but

misread it. That recitation was coupled with the trial court’s discussion of the

extreme gravity of engaging law enforcement in a gun battle and a reference to the

provision in the sentencing entry. The Ohio Supreme Court has directed that “as

long as the reviewing court can discern that the trial court engaged in the correct

analysis and can determine that the record contains evidence to support the findings,

consecutive sentences should be upheld.” Bonnell,

, 2014-Ohio-

3177,

, at syllabus. I would conclude that the statements of the trial

court, coupled with the verbatim recitation of the statutory provision in the

sentencing entry, are sufficient to demonstrate that the trial court complied with the

dictates of R.C. 2929.14(C)(4). Thus, I would affirm the decision of the trial court in

this respect as well.

Please note: The court has recorded its own entry on the date of the release of this opinion.

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