[Cite as State v. Johnson, 2013-Ohio-4946.]
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS FOR MONTGOMERY COUNTY, OHIO
STATE OF OHIO :
Plaintiff-Appellee : C.A. CASE NO. 25711
v. : T.C. NO. 91CR1751/1
DERRICK L. JOHNSON : (Criminal appeal from
Common Pleas Court)
Defendant-Appellant :
:
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OPINION
Rendered on the 8th day of November , 2013.
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CARLEY J. INGRAM, Atty. Reg. No. 0020084, Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, 301 W.
Third Street, 5th Floor, Dayton, Ohio 45422
Attorney for Plaintiff-Appellee
DERRICK L. JOHNSON, #254-768, Pickaway Correctional Institute, P. O. Box 209, Orient,
Ohio 43146
Defendant-Appellant
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FROELICH, J.
{¶ 1} Derrick Johnson appeals from a judgment of the Montgomery County
Court of Common Pleas, denying his “Criminal Rule 52(B) Plain Error Motion to Correct a
Void Sentence.”
{¶ 2} In 1992, Johnson was convicted, after a jury trial, of two counts of
aggravated murder, one count of attempted aggravated murder, and one count of aggravated
robbery, each with a firearm specification. The convictions arose out of the shooting of
Ralph Allen and the fatal shootings of Isaac Washington and Shay Stephens; Johnson was
charged as an accomplice. The trial court sentenced Johnson to life in prison for each of the
aggravated murders, 10 to 25 years for the aggravated robbery, and 7 to 25 years for the
attempted aggravated murder, to be served consecutively. The court merged the firearm
specifications and imposed an additional three years, to be served consecutive to and prior to
the other sentences. We affirmed Johnson’s convictions. State v. Johnson, 2d Dist.
Montgomery No. 13449, 1993 WL 248135 (July 7, 1993).
{¶ 3} On June 21, 2012, Johnson filed a “Criminal Rule 52(B) Plain Error
Motion to Correct a Void Sentence.” He claimed that the trial court failed to hold a “voir
dire hearing” to determine whether any of his offenses were allied offenses of similar import.
Johnson claimed that all of the offenses took place at the same time, in the same residence,
and as part of a single transaction. Johnson asserted that the trial court should consider
whether his offenses are allied offenses using the analysis set forth in State v. Johnson, 128
Ohio St.3d 153, 2010-Ohio-6314, 942 N.E.2d 106 (“Johnson”).
{¶ 4} The trial court overruled Johnson’s motion. It reasoned that Johnson had
waived his allied offense argument by failing to raise it in a timely manner, specifically at
the time of sentencing, on appeal, or in a timely petition for post-conviction relief. The
court further stated that, even if the motion were timely, the court would still overrule the
motion, because the “remedy that the Defendant seeks from the Court is based upon law that
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was not in effect at the time he was sentenced in this case.” The court stated that Johnson
was not entitled to retroactive application of Johnson.
{¶ 5} Johnson appeals from the trial court’s judgment, claiming that the trial
court erred in failing to conduct a hearing on whether his offenses were allied offenses of
similar import.
{¶ 6} Johnson was found guilty and sentenced on his offenses in 1992. He filed
a direct appeal, but did not argue that his offenses should have merged as allied offenses of
similar import and/or that the trial court erred by failing to hold a hearing on whether his
offenses should merge. We affirmed Johnson’s convictions in 1993; at that time, Johnson’s
convictions became final.
{¶ 7} “Pursuant to the doctrine of res judicata, a valid final judgment on the
merits bars all subsequent actions based on any claim arising out of the transaction or
occurrence that was the subject matter of the previous action.” State v. Collins, 2d Dist.
Montgomery No. 25612, 2013-Ohio-3645, ¶ 9, citing Grava v. Parkman Township, 73 Ohio
St.3d 379, 653 N.E.2d 226 (1995). Res judicata bar applies to any defense that was raised
or could have been raised in a criminal defendant’s prior direct appeal from his conviction
and/or sentence. Id., citing State v. Perry, 10 Ohio St.2d 175, 226 N.E.2d 104 (1967).
Because Johnson failed to raise the merger issue in his direct appeal, res judicata bars his
claim that the trial court erred in failing to hold a hearing and to consider merger of his
offenses.
{¶ 8} Even if Johnson’s motion were timely, we agree with the trial court that it
would lack merit. Johnson was convicted after a jury trial, and the trial court was aware of
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the facts underlying Johnson’s convictions. We find no basis to conclude that an additional
hearing would have been necessary for the court to determine whether, under those facts,
Johnson’s offenses were allied offenses of similar import. In addition, Johnson’s motion
was based upon Johnson, which was decided 18 years after his convictions. Johnson may
not be applied retroactively to convictions that have become final. Collins at ¶ 10; Ali v.
State of Ohio, 104 Ohio St.3d 328, 2004-Ohio-6592, 819 N.E.2d 687, ¶ 6.
{¶ 9} Regardless of whether Johnson applies, Johnson’s aggravated murder and
attempted aggravated murder convictions involved separate victims. We have recognized
that separate convictions and sentences are permitted when a defendant’s conduct results in
multiple victims. See, e.g., State v. Wills, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 25357,
2013-Ohio-4507, ¶ 37; State v. Smith, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 24402, 2012-Ohio-734, ¶
19. And even after Johnson, we have held that aggravated murder and aggravated robbery
do not necessarily merge. See State v. Jackson, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 24430,
2012-Ohio-2335, ¶ 140.
{¶ 10} Johnson’s assignment of error is overruled.
{¶ 11} The trial court’s judgment will be affirmed.
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HALL, J. and WELBAUM, J., concur.
Copies mailed to:
Carley J. Ingram
Derrick L. Johnson
Hon. Frances E. McGee
State v. Johnson
Combined Opinion