Opinion

State v. Eaton

2020 Ohio 3208

Court: Ohio Court of Appeals
Filed: Jun 5, 2020
Status: Published
On the bench: Pietrykowski
Cited by: 9 cases
Authority: More cited than 71.9%

The opinion

[Cite as State v. Eaton, 2020-Ohio-3208.]

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO

SIXTH APPELLATE DISTRICT

LUCAS COUNTY

State of Ohio Court of Appeals No. L-18-1183

Appellee Trial Court No. CR0201701980

Jamaine Eaton DECISION AND JUDGMENT

Appellant Decided: June 5, 2020

*****

Julia R. Bates, Lucas County Prosecuting Attorney, and

Alyssa Breyman, Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, for appellee.

Lawrence A. Gold, for appellant.

*****

PIETRYKOWSKI, J.

{¶ 1} Appellant, Jamaine Easton, appeals from the July 25, 2019 judgment of the

Lucas County Court of Common Pleas convicting him of retaliation, a violation of R.C.

2921.05(A) and (C), and intimidation, a violation of R.C. 2921.03(A) and (B), and

sentencing him to eighteen months of imprisonment on each count, to be served

concurrently because the offenses were found to be allied offenses. The sentences were

ordered to be served consecutive to a nine-year sentence imposed in Lucas County Court

of Common Pleas case No. CR0201502214. For the reasons which follow, we affirm in

part and reverse in part.

{¶ 2} On appeal, appellant asserts the following assignments of error:

I. The trial court erred in sentencing Appellant consecutively

without making the proper findings under R.C. 2929.14(C).

II. The jury’s verdict was against the manifest weight of the

evidence presented at trial.

III. The trial court committed error to the prejudice of Appellant by

imposing costs without consideration of Appellant’s present or future

ability to pay.

{¶ 3} In his first assignment of error, appellant asserts that the trial court erred by

imposing a sentence in this case to be served consecutively to a sentence imposed in

another case without making the proper findings under R.C. 2929.14(C)(4) at the

sentencing hearing.

{¶ 4} Our standard of review of a felony sentence is whether there is clear and

convincing evidence in the record to support the sentencing court’s findings under R.C.

2929.14(C)(4) or whether the sentence is otherwise contrary to law. R.C. 2953.08(G)(2);

State v. Marcum, 146 Ohio St. 3d 516, 2016-Ohio-1002, 59 N.E.3d 1231, ¶ 7.

{¶ 5} Generally, multiple terms of incarceration are to be served concurrently

unless the trial court, in the exercise of its discretion, orders the sentences to be served

consecutively. R.C. 2929.41(A) and (B)(2); R.C. 2929.14(C)(4). Before imposing

consecutive sentences, however, R.C. 2929.14(C)(4) mandates that the trial court find

consecutive sentences are “necessary to protect the public from future crime or to punish

the offender,” “consecutive sentences are not disproportionate to the seriousness of the

offender’s conduct and to the danger the offender poses to the public,” and that one of the

following circumstances under R.C. 2929.14(C)(4) is present:

(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 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.”

consecutive sentences are necessary to protect the public from future crime

by the offender.

{¶ 6} The trial court must engage in the correct analysis, state its statutory findings

during the sentencing hearing, and incorporate those findings into its sentencing entry.

State v. Beasley, 153 Ohio St.3d 497, 2018-Ohio-493, 108 N.E.3d 1028, ¶ 253, citing

State v. Bonnell, 140 Ohio St.3d 209, 2014-Ohio-3177, 16 N.E.3d 659, ¶ 37. A word-for-

word recitation of the statutory language is not required so long as the record supports the

trial court’s findings. Beasley at ¶ 259. The failure to comply with statutory requirements

renders the sentence voidable, not void. State v. Harper, Slip Opinion No. 2018-1144,

2020-Ohio-2913, ¶ 4.

{¶ 7} While the court made the correct findings in the sentencing judgment, the

court did not make such precise statements at the sentencing hearing. Appellee asserts

that although the court did not quote the statute verbatim, the trial court made statements

which satisfied its duty to make certain statutory findings.

{¶ 8} Regarding the necessity requirement, the court stated: “I think you did a very

stupid thing I think that was the word you used. You just weren’t thinking, but acting out

of not thinking has consequences. Now, whatever we do here today is not going to

destroy your life, but it’s going to have some sting to it.” Furthermore, regarding

appellant’s criminal history, the court stated:

I note that you entered into the system back in 2006 when you were

14. You had a delinquency for breaking and entering, a number of

offenses. There were a number of attempts to work with you. You were

certified over as an adult back in 2011 on a CCW. You had an assault in

‘12. You had a domestic violence and assault; these were dismissed

because the witnesses failed to appear. You had a number of traffic

offenses. You had an ag robbery with a deadly weapon, which was

specified or indicated as an F1 back in 2015. This is one that was reduced

and you got six years, plus three mandatory for the gun. That’s the one

you’re currently serving right now. And then you caught these two cases

here today.

Finally, regarding the proportionality requirement, the court stated: “finding that pursuant

to R.C. 2929.14(b) that the shortest prison term possible would demean the seriousness of

the offenses and not adequately protect the public, * * * the Court imposes a greater than

the minimum term.”

{¶ 9} Upon a review of the sentencing hearing as a whole, we find the court’s

statements do not reflect an intentional consideration of the requirements of R.C.

2929.14(C)(4). From a reading of the entire sentencing hearing, it is not clear if the court

was discussing the consecutive sentencing factors. The trial court did not indicate that

appellant’s conduct or criminal history was of such a nature that the court determined it

was necessary that consecutive sentences were imposed to protect the public or punish

appellant. The court made reference to “R.C. 2929.14(b)” and verbalized its

proportionality review, but it appears that this was done in connection with its

determination of whether to impose more than the minimum sentence. These statements

do not seem to relate to the imposition of consecutive sentences.

{¶ 10} Therefore, appellant’s first assignment of error is well-taken.

{¶ 11} In his second assignment of error, appellant asserts that his convictions were

contrary to the manifest weight of the evidence because appellee did not meet its burden

of persuasion as to each count based on the evidence rather than the seriousness of the

charges.

{¶ 12} A challenge to the weight of the evidence questions whether or not the

greater amount of credible evidence was admitted to support the findings of fact. Eastley

v. Volkman, 132 Ohio St.3d 328, 2012-Ohio-2179, 972 N.E.2d 517, ¶ 12, quoting State v.

Thompkins, 78 Ohio St. 3d 380, 387, 678 N.E.2d 541 (1997). When weighing the

evidence, the appellate court must consider whether the evidence is conflicting or whether

reasonable minds might differ as to the inferences to be drawn from it, the weight of the

evidence, and the credibility of the witnesses to determine if “the jury clearly lost its way

and created such a manifest miscarriage of justice that the conviction must be reversed and

a new trial ordered.” Eastley at ¶ 20, quoting State v. Martin, 20 Ohio App.3d 172, 175,

485 N.E.2d 717 (1st Dist.1983) (other citations omitted). When weighing the evidence,

the appellate court must presume the factfinder properly assessed the evidence. Eastley at

¶ 21, quoting Seasons Coal Co., Inc. v. Cleveland, 10 Ohio St.3d 77, 80, fn. 3, 461 N.E.2d

1273 (1984) (citation omitted).

{¶ 13} In order to establish retaliation, R.C. 2921.05(A) requires the state must

prove appellant “purposely and * * * by unlawful threat of harm to any person or

property, * * * retaliate[d] against a public servant * * * who was involved in a * * *

criminal action or proceeding because the public servant * * * discharged the duties of

the public servant.” To establish, intimidation, R.C. 2921.03(A), effective November 6,

1996, requires the state must prove appellant “knowingly and * * * by unlawful threat of

harm to any person or property * * * attempt[ed] to influence, intimidate, or hinder a

public servant * * * in the discharge of the person’s duty.” The issue in this case is

whether the evidence established that appellant wrote the letter threatening the judge.

{¶ 14} The following evidence was admitted in this case. Judge Mandros and his

criminal bailiff for the Lucas County Court of Common Pleas testified the judge received

a letter on March 23, 2017, which contained the purported signature of appellant and a

return address from appellant at a state institution and made general threats to harm him

and his family. The judge testified that he had sentenced appellant in 2015 to a term of 6

years of imprisonment, less than the possible maximum of 11 years, with an additional

mandatory 3 years for a gun specification, and retains continuing jurisdiction over the

sentence.

{¶ 15} A forensic scientist with the Bureau of Criminal Investigations (“BCI”)

was qualified as an expert in the field of latent print analysis without objection. She

examined the letter and envelope for possible latent impressions and explained the

process by which she was able to obtain four latent fingerprints from the letter and

envelope. Upon analysis, she concluded to a reasonable degree of scientific certainty,

and the parties stipulated to her findings, that one of the prints on the back side of the

envelope was made by appellant’s left index finger and the print on the front side of the

envelope was made by Antonio Campbell, an inmate who was housed at the same prison

as appellant at the time of this incident. The forensic scientist testified it was possible for

an object to have multiple prints, especially paper which holds onto prints for a long time

and that the lack of a print did not mean appellant had not touched it. She did rule out

appellant as having made the other print found on the back side of the envelope and on

the letter. A fingerprint database, AFIS, did not reveal any other source for the prints.

Another print found was not suitable for comparison and, therefore, the source could not

be determined.

{¶ 16} Another forensic scientist with the BCI, who specialized in the field of

handwriting, testified she examined the letter and envelope in comparison to appellant’s

handwriting exemplar prepared for purposes of comparison. While there were some

indications appellant may have written the letter to the judge, she could not conclude to a

reasonable degree of scientific certainty that he did write the letter. A second letter

threatening appellant had been written in cursive and, therefore, could not be used for

comparison.

{¶ 17} Campbell, an inmate, testified he was housed at the Lucasville Correctional

Institution at the same time as appellant and only recalled having played basketball with

him. Campbell denied writing the letter to the judge or talking to appellant about it.

Campbell believed appellant could have asked for an envelope, which Campbell would

have supplied from his supply of free envelopes the prison provided each month, which

he did not use. Campbell also could have given the envelope to a porter to pass to

appellant because Campbell only saw appellant at dinner and recreation time.

{¶ 18} Nichole Benavides testified she started dating appellant shortly before his

imprisonment in 2015 and communicates with him daily, corresponds with him, and

visits him in prison. Admitted into evidence was a letter Benavides recalled receiving,

which indicated appellant owed money and threated him and his family. Included with

the letter was a photograph of appellant’s son, upon which Benavides had previously

written, “your twin,” but someone else had drawn a target. The return address name on

the envelope was “B. Johnson.” Benavides denied appellant warned her such a letter

would be coming and could not fully recall two conversations with appellant where he

indicated two letters were mailed to her.

{¶ 19} Benavides showed the letter to appellant when she visited him, and he told

her to call the prison and follow their instructions. Benavides faxed the letter to the

prison, but she never heard back about it until an investigator interviewed her about the

letter sent to the judge. Eventually, she felt compelled to give the original letter she had

received to her lawyer because the detective indicated she could be charged with an

offense for not cooperating.

{¶ 20} Benavides testified at trial that appellant used to talk about wanting to

move back to Toledo to be closer to her and his child, but she could not recall appellant

indicating he had a plan to make that happen. However, she also admitted she had told

the investigator that appellant told her he planned to threaten the judge to get a transfer.

She testified she had not taken appellant seriously and told him it was a foolish idea. She

also told the investigator appellant had told her he was sending a letter, but she never saw

it. The investigator had showed Benavides the letter sent to the judge, but she testified it

did not looked like appellant’s handwriting.

{¶ 21} An institutional investigator at Lucasville prison testified he obtained

appellant’s DNA. At that time, appellant was housed in the extended restrictive housing

area (“ERH”), and spent 22-23 hours a day in a single occupant cell except for medical

appointments and recreation in an ERH recreation cage. A visitation log showed that

Benavides was his most frequent visitor, visiting him 18 times from December 2015,

through July 2017, including three times during the period of March and April 2017. The

ERH inmates are allowed little possessions but can send and receive mail. Incoming mail

is screened for contraband, outgoing mail is not screened. Furthermore, the investigator

testified that every inmate is assigned a specific number, but inmates refer to each other

by nicknames, not numbers. The investigator also obtained appellant’s recorded phone

calls made in March and April 2017, and searched appellant’s cell. No other inmate

would have had access to appellant’s cell and could only have taken something placed

next to the cell bars. The investigator had no knowledge of any assaults on appellant by

other inmates.

{¶ 22} A correction officer at the Lucasville prison testified he also searched

appellant’s cell and found 4-5 photos at the back of the 8x10 cell, which were admitted

into evidence. He further testified that when an inmate is sent to another location for

10.

discipline, an officer removes all personal items and catalogs them before a porter cleans

the cell.

{¶ 23} A detective for the Toledo Police Department, investigative service bureau,

testified he started an investigation of this case for the prosecutor’s office. He reviewed

the letter sent to the judge, obtained appellant’s DNA evidence, and delivered the letter to

the BCI for analysis for DNA, fingerprints, and handwriting analysis. When he talked to

appellant about the investigation, appellant appeared very nervous. He was bent over with

his head down and he was perspiring so much that the sweat puddled on the floor. The

detective learned that insufficient DNA was found on the papers to make an identification.

{¶ 24} The detective also recalled speaking to Benavides, who admitted she sent

the letter to the prison after appellant had forewarned her it was coming and that appellant

also told her he was sending a letter to the judge. The detective warned Benavides to be

careful and tell the truth or she could get in trouble for her boyfriend. The detective

obtained the original letter that was faxed to the prison (postmarked March 24, 2017), as

well as other letters appellant had sent Benavides. The detective only sent the letters sent

to the judge and prison to the BCI for handwriting analysis. He also listened to the

recorded phone calls, which were admitted into evidence. In a call made March 25, 2017,

appellant told Benavides she would receive two letters, one letter containing instructions

about what she should do with the other letter. She faxed the letter to the prison on April

14, 2017. In a call on April 1, 2017, appellant stated he told Benavides that what he wrote

in the letters needed to be done as soon as possible so what he was doing could fall into

11.

place. In another call, appellant stated: “I don’t talk to nobody here about my personal

life.”

{¶ 25} Appellant testified that he never sent the letters at issue. He believed

Benavides was lying because she was mad about appellant talking to his child’s mother

when Benavides could not listen in on the phone call and that she misunderstood that the

statements he made in the phone calls related to gambling. He also asserted that ex-gang

members had framed him. He acknowledged that his name and the prisoner number were

on the envelope of the letter sent to the judge, but asserted his name and number are at

the top of his cell and he wears an ID badge. He admitted he never talked to other

prisoners about his family and personal affairs, but that when he was sent to the “hole”

for fighting, the porter could have picked up one of the 300-400 photographs he kept in

his cell.

{¶ 26} On appeal, appellant asserts that his fingerprint was found only on the back

of the envelope, not on the letter, and there was no conclusive evidence that appellant

drafted the letter. He also argues Benavides’s testimony lacked credibility because her

statements were made solely because of threats to charge her with aiding and abetting

appellant if she did not cooperate.

{¶ 27} The direct evidence of guilt in this case was that appellant’s fingerprint was

found on the back of the envelope. While Campbell’s fingerprint was also found on the

envelope, he provided a reasonable explanation for why it could have been there. The

forensic scientist explained there are other reasons why the remaining fingerprints found

12.

on the letter were insufficient to be compared or how appellant could have touched the

letter but no fingerprints were found on it.

{¶ 28} Furthermore, Benavides admitted she told the investigator that appellant

told her he was going to write such a letter to be moved closer to Toledo. Appellant

challenges her credibility on the basis that she had been threatened with charges if she did

not cooperate with the investigator. The investigator admitted he merely warned

Benavides of the consequences if she did not cooperate and also encouraged her to seek

counsel. Benavides never testified that she felt improperly pressured by the detective.

Nonetheless, the fact that she might have felt pressured to turn over the letter does not

establish that she would lie about appellant’s statements that he was going to send a letter

to the judge.

{¶ 29} While the handwriting analysis failed to conclusively establish appellant as

the author of the letter to the judge, the writing exemplar was created when appellant

knew it would be used to compare his handwriting and, therefore, he had a motivation to

alter his handwriting. Although Benavides denied that the handwriting matched

appellant’s handwriting, she had a motivation to lie and her statements were inconsistent

with her statements to the investigator that appellant said he wrote the letter. Finally,

appellant was never excluded as the writer of the letter and a forensic scientist found

some indications that appellant’s handwriting matched the letter.

{¶ 30} There was also circumstantial evidence connecting appellant to the letter.

The letter contained appellant’s inmate number, which he testified he has not shared with

13.

other inmates. The letter was addressed to the particular judge who had sentenced

appellant. Appellant appeared nervous when the Toledo police officer came to the prison

to take appellant’s DNA sample. Benavides testified appellant wanted to be moved back

to Toledo. Benavides also received a letter regarding threats against appellant, which

included a photograph of appellant’s son that he would have kept in his cell that no other

prisoner could enter. While appellant alluded to a theory that he had been framed, he

presented no evidence to support that theory.

{¶ 31} When all of the evidence is considered as a whole, we find the jury did not

lose its way in evaluating the evidence and drawing inferences from the direct evidence.

Therefore, we find that appellant’s conviction was not contrary to the manifest weight of

the evidence. Appellant’s second assignment of error is found not well-taken.

{¶ 32} In his third assignment of error appellant argues the trial court erred by

imposing costs only in the sentencing entry and not at the sentencing hearing and without

consideration of whether appellant had any present or future ability to pay costs.

Appellant argues the trial court did not comply with the applicable statutes and find

appellant’s current or future ability to pay before imposing the costs of supervision,

confinement, appointed counsel, and prosecution.

{¶ 33} In its sentencing judgment, the trial court stated: “Defendant found to

have, or reasonably may be expected to have, the means to pay all or part of the

applicable costs of supervision, confinement, assigned counsel, and prosecution as

authorized by law.” The court is not required to consider the defendant’s ability to pay

14.

the costs of prosecution, but must do so before imposing the costs of appointed counsel

and confinement. R.C. 2947.23(A)(1)(a) (costs of prosecution); R.C. 2941.51(D) (costs

of appointed counsel); R.C. 2929.18(A)(5)(a)(ii) (costs of confinement). The costs of

supervision are not at issue in this case because a prison term was imposed. R.C.

2929.18(A)(5)(a)(i). The state concedes the trial court was required to consider

appellant’s ability to pay the costs of appointed counsel and confinement and did not do

so at the sentencing hearing. We agree. Therefore, we find appellant’s third assignment

of error well-taken as to the costs of appointed counsel and confinement.

{¶ 34} Having found that the trial court did commit error prejudicial to appellant

and that substantial justice has not been done, the judgment of the Lucas County Court of

Common Pleas is reversed in part. Appellant’s conviction is affirmed, but the sentence is

hereby vacated. This matter is remanded to the trial court for resentencing. Appellee is

ordered to pay the costs of this appeal pursuant to App.R. 24(A).

Judgment affirmed, in part,

reversed, in part, and remanded.

A certified copy of this entry shall constitute the mandate pursuant to App.R. 27.