[Cite as State v. Backie, 2011-Ohio-5801.]
COURT OF APPEALS
STARK COUNTY, OHIO
FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
JUDGES:
STATE OF OHIO : Hon. W. Scott Gwin, P.J.
: Hon. Sheila G. Farmer, J.
Plaintiff-Appellee : Hon. Patricia A. Delaney, J.
:
v. :
: Case No. 2011-CA-00060
TRAVONCE RASHAWN BACKIE :
:
Defendant-Appellant : OPINION
CHARACTER OF PROCEEDING: Criminal appeal from the Stark County
Court of Common Pleas, Case No. 2010-
CR-1821(A)
JUDGMENT: Affirmed
DATE OF JUDGMENT ENTRY: November 7, 2011
APPEARANCES:
For Plaintiff-Appellee For Defendant-Appellant
JOHN FERRERO GEORGE URBAN
STARK COUNTY PROSECUTOR 116 Cleveland Ave N.W.
BY: LEWIS GUARNIERI Suite 808
110 Central Plaza S., Ste. 510 Canton, OH 44702
Canton, OH 44702
[Cite as State v. Backie, 2011-Ohio-5801.]
Gwin, P.J.
{¶ 1} Defendant–appellant Travonce Backie appeals from his convictions and
sentences in the Stark County Court of Common Pleas on one count of aggravated
burglary with a firearm specification in violation of R.C. 2911.11(A)(2) and R.C.
2941.145. Plaintiff-appellee is the State of Ohio.
STATEMENT OF THE FACTS AND CASE
{¶ 2} In January 2011 the Stark County Grand Jury returned an indictment
charging appellant with one count each of aggravated burglary and aggravated robbery,
with attendant firearm specifications for each offense as a result of a home invasion.
{¶ 3} Shortly after eight o'clock during the night of September 20, 2010,
Samantha Coons was preparing to go to bed inside her Canton residence. Ernestine
Corinda Mullen, a neighbor who needed a place to stay temporarily, was asleep
downstairs, and Coons had just put her young toddler to bed with his father, Dennis
Knight. Knight was Coons's boyfriend and was already asleep in their bedroom. Mullen
was asleep downstairs and was awaken by a knock on the back door. As she went to
the back door, Mullen saw the door being kicked opened and three masked men rush
inside. Mullen turned to run away and to alert Knight, but was struck in the back of the
head and knocked out.
{¶ 4} Coons heard the door being kicked in and glass breaking, and thought it
might be her dog getting into some plates left on the dining room table. She therefore
went to the top of stairs and yelled at the dog. The dog, which was in the bedroom
under the bed, began barking.
Stark County, Case No. 2011-CA-00060 3
{¶ 5} Coons then saw three masked men come up the stairs, so she ran back
into the bedroom and attempted to shut the door and lock it. The men, however, were
able to overpower her, and come into the bedroom. As the men entered, they shouted
repeatedly that they were the Canton police. Afraid for herself and her child, Coons
started fighting with the first man who entered the bedroom. During the struggle with this
man, Coons was able to pull down the bandana “do-rag” that covered his face. Coons
immediately recognized this intruder as "Woody," who is William Appis. Coons shouted
out his name, and Woody turned and fled the scene. While Coons was struggling with
Woody, the other two men attended to Knight.
{¶ 6} Awakened from his sleep, Knight immediately saw an automatic handgun
stuck in his face by one of the masked men, who then proceeded to strike him a couple
of times in the head with the barrel of the gun. The other masked intruder was armed
with a Taser, and was using it on the dog. Both men demanded to know where the
money was hidden. As the man armed with the gun attended to Knight, the other man
rifled through the night stand drawers looking for money. He eventually dumped out
Coons's purse and took the $350.00 that Coons had saved for Christmas shopping. As
the two men backed up to exit the room, the fan that was in the bedroom blew up the
bandana do-rag that was covering the face of the intruder armed with the handgun. A
lamp was on in the bedroom, as well as a small nightlight by the bed. Knight
immediately recognized this intruder as someone whom he knew- Travonce "Tre"
Backie, the appellant. Knight knew that appellant and Woody were friends, and so he
asked appellant, "How you going to rob me and my girl with my son in the bedroom?"
Appellant and the other individual fled from the bedroom.
Stark County, Case No. 2011-CA-00060 4
{¶ 7} Both Coons and Knight believed that Woody knew of the existence of the
Christmas money because he was at their house a day or so before this incident. On
that occasion Coons had asked Knight for money to pay their bills. Coons had gone to
the ATM to make a withdrawal from their account, only to find that there were
insufficient funds in the account. The two then discussed the necessity of using the
Christmas money- cash that they saved for Christmas shopping- to pay their bills, which
was kept upstairs in the bedroom. In addition, they were aware that appellant was a
friend of Woody.
{¶ 8} Once the intruders left, Knight and Coons called 911 and checked on the
condition of Mullen, who was unconscious downstairs. Knight then called appellant
repeatedly, asking why he did it. Appellant responded that he didn't do it, so Knight
hung up on him. When the police arrived, both Knight and Coons told the police what
had happened, as well as the identity of both appellant and Appis. Appis ("Woody") was
a friend of theirs, and appellant had dated Coons's sister.
{¶ 9} Both Appis and appellant had in fact been in their home before. The police
later showed Knight a photo array, from which Knight identified appellant as the armed
intruder who threatened to shoot him during the robbery.
{¶ 10} Kenneth Higgins, a friend of Coons and Knight, was driving that night over
to their residence to visit. He parked his vehicle in the driveway and had just exited his
vehicle when he was confronted by two masked men racing from the residence of
Coons and Knight. One of the men was wearing a ski mask, while the other had his face
covered with something Higgins could not identify. He did not pay attention to this other
masked man since the one with the ski mask was pointing a gun in his face. The men
Stark County, Case No. 2011-CA-00060 5
demanded that Higgins give them what he had in his pockets. As Higgins kept his
hands up in the air, the unarmed man went through Higgins's pockets and took his
wallet and cigarettes. The men then fled towards a neighbor's yard. His wallet was
eventually recovered in this neighbor's driveway.
{¶ 11} Appellant presented an alibi defense through the testimony of Ashley
Myers. Myers testified that appellant was with her all day on September 20, and did not
leave her home until after 8:00 p.m. In addition, William [“Woody”] Appis testified on
appellant's behalf, admitting that he (Appis) was one of the intruders, but that appellant
was not one of the three men who had invaded the home.
{¶ 12} The jury in this case returned a mixed verdict. It found appellant not guilty
of the aggravated robbery charge with the firearm specification, but guilty of the
aggravated burglary charge and guilty of the attendant firearm specification. The trial
court sentenced appellant to an aggregate prison term of thirteen years. Ten years for
the aggravated burglary, and a mandatory consecutive three-year term for the attendant
firearm specification. This sentence was also imposed consecutively with appellant’s
criminal sentence in a separate criminal case.1
{¶ 13} Appellant has timely appealed raising the following two Assignments of
Error:
{¶ 14} “I. APPELLANT'S CONVICTIONS WERE AGAINST THE MANIFEST
WEIGHT AND SUFFICIENCY OF THE EVIDENCE.
{¶ 15} “II. THE TRIAL COURT'S SENTENCING OF APPELLANT TO MAXIMUM
AND CONSECUTIVE SENTENCES WAS CONTRARY TO LAW.”
1
State v. Backie, Stark County Court of Common Pleas Case No. 2010-CR-1422
Stark County, Case No. 2011-CA-00060 6
I.
{¶ 16} In his First Assignment of Error, appellant argues that his convictions are
based upon insufficient evidence and are against the manifest weight of the evidence.
We disagree.
{¶ 17} Our review of the constitutional sufficiency of evidence to support a
criminal conviction is governed by Jackson v. Virginia (1979), 443 U.S. 307, 319, 99
S.Ct. 2781, which requires a court of appeals to determine whether “after viewing the
evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution, any rational trier of fact could
have found the essential elements of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt.” Id.; see
also McDaniel v. Brown (2010), --- U.S. ----, 130 S.Ct. 665, 673, 175 L.Ed.2d 582
(reaffirming this standard); State v. Fry, 125 Ohio St.3d 163, 926 N.E.2d 1239, 2010-
Ohio-1017 at ¶146; State v. Clay, 187 Ohio App.3d 633, 933 N.E.2d 296, 2010-Ohio-
2720 at ¶68.
{¶ 18} Jackson, thus establishes a two-step inquiry for considering a challenge to
a conviction based on sufficiency of the evidence. First, a reviewing court must consider
the evidence presented at trial in the light most favorable to the prosecution. Jackson,
443 U.S. at 319, 99 S.Ct. 2781. This means that a court of appeals may not usurp the
role of the finder of fact by considering how it would have resolved the conflicts, made
the inferences, or considered the evidence at trial. Id. Rather, when “faced with a record
of historical facts that supports conflicting inferences” a reviewing court “must presume
even if it does not affirmatively appear in the record that the trier of fact resolved any
such conflicts in favor of the prosecution, and must defer to that resolution.” Jackson,
Stark County, Case No. 2011-CA-00060 7
supra 443 U.S. 307, 99 S.Ct. 2781; see also, McDaniel, --- U.S. ----, 130 S.Ct. at 673-
674, 175 L.Ed.2d 582; United States v. Nevils (9th Cir 2010), 598 F.3d 1158, 1164.
{¶ 19} Second, after viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the
prosecution, the reviewing court must determine whether this evidence, so viewed, is
adequate to allow “any rational trier of fact [to find] the essential elements of the crime
beyond a reasonable doubt.” Jackson, 443 U.S. at 319, 99 S.Ct. 2781; State v.
Thompkins (1997), 78 Ohio St.3d 380, 387, 678 N.E.2d 541, superseded by
constitutional amendment on other grounds as stated by State v. Smith, 80 Ohio St.3d
89, 1997-Ohio-355, 684 N.E.2d 668; State v. Jenks (1991), 61 Ohio St.3d 259, 574
N.E.2d 492 superseded by State constitutional amendment on other grounds as stated
in State v. Smith (1997), 80 Ohio St.3d 89, 684 N.E.2d 668; See, also State v. Clay,
supra at ¶ 70.
{¶ 20} This second step protects against rare occasions in which “a properly
instructed jury may * * * convict even when it can be said that no rational trier of fact
could find guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.” Jackson, 443 U.S. at 317, 99 S.Ct. 2781.
More than a “mere modicum” of evidence is required to support a verdict. Id. at 320, 99
S.Ct. 2781, (rejecting the rule that a conviction be affirmed if “some evidence” in the
record supports the jury's finding of guilt). At this second step, however, a reviewing
court may not “‘ask itself whether it believes that the evidence at the trial established
guilt beyond a reasonable doubt,’” Jackson at 318-319, 99 S.Ct. 2781, quoting Woodby
v. INS (1966), 385 U.S. 276, 282, 87 S.Ct. 483, 17 L.Ed.2d 362, only whether “any”
rational trier of fact could have made that finding. Jackson at 319, 99 S.Ct. 2781; United
States v. Nevills, supra, 598 F.3d at 1164. Under Jackson, the assessment of the
Stark County, Case No. 2011-CA-00060 8
credibility of witnesses is generally beyond the scope of review. Schlup v. Delo (1995),
513 U.S. 298, 330, 115 S.Ct. 851, 868; Wright v. West (1992), 505 U.S. 277, 296, 112
S.Ct. 2482, 2492.
{¶ 21} Thus, the Jackson standard focus on whether any rational juror could
have convicted, looks to whether there is sufficient evidence which, if credited, could
support the conviction. Schlup v. Delo (1995), 513 U.S. 298, 330, 115 S.Ct. 851, 868.
The Court in Schlup made clear that, “the use of the word “could” focuses the inquiry
on the power of the trier of fact to reach its conclusion.” Id. As the Court further
explained, “the question whether the trier of fact has power to make a finding of guilt
requires a binary response: Either the trier of fact has power as a matter of law or it
does not...” Schlup, 513 U.S. at 330, 115 S.Ct. at 868. (Citations partially omitted); See
also, Sanborn v. Parker (6th Cir 2010), 629 F.3d 554, 578.
{¶ 22} Finally, under the Jackson standard a reviewing court must consider all of
the evidence admitted by the trial court, regardless whether that evidence was
admitted erroneously. McDaniel, supra, --- U.S. ----, 130 S.Ct. at 672, 175 L.Ed.2d 582.
{¶ 23} The Ohio Supreme Court elucidated the standard of review for a criminal
manifest weight challenge, as follows:
{¶ 24} “The criminal manifest-weight-of-the-evidence standard was explained in
State v. Thompkins (1997), 78 Ohio St.3d 380, 678 N.E.2d 541. In Thompkins, the
court distinguished between sufficiency of the evidence and manifest weight of the
evidence, finding that these concepts differ both qualitatively and quantitatively. Id. at
386, 678 N.E.2d 541. The court held that sufficiency of the evidence is a test of
adequacy as to whether the evidence is legally sufficient to support a verdict as a
Stark County, Case No. 2011-CA-00060 9
matter of law, but weight of the evidence addresses the evidence's effect of inducing
belief. Id. at 386-387, 678 N.E.2d 541. In other words, a reviewing court asks whose
evidence is more persuasive--the state's or the defendant's? We went on to hold that
although there may be sufficient evidence to support a judgment, it could nevertheless
be against the manifest weight of the evidence. Id. at 387, 678 N.E.2d 541. ‘When a
court of appeals reverses a judgment of a trial court on the basis that the verdict is
against the weight of the evidence, the appellate court sits as a 'thirteenth juror' and
disagrees with the factfinder's resolution of the conflicting testimony.’ Id. at 387, 678
N.E.2d 541, citing Tibbs v. Florida (1982), 457 U.S. 31, 42, 102 S.Ct. 2211, 72 L.Ed.2d
652.
{¶ 25} “Both C.E. Morris Co., 54 Ohio St.2d 279, 8 O.O.3d 261, 376 N.E.2d 578,
and Thompkins instruct that the fact-finder should be afforded great deference.
However, the standard in C.E. Morris Co. tends to merge the concepts of weight and
sufficiency. See State v. Maple (Apr. 2, 2002), 4th Dist. No. 01CA2605, 2002 WL
507530, fn. 1; State v. Morrison (Sept. 20, 2001), 10th Dist. No. 01AP-66, 2001 WL
1098086. Thus, a judgment supported by "some competent, credible evidence going to
all the essential elements of the case" must be affirmed. C.E. Morris Co. Conversely,
under Thompkins, even though there may be sufficient evidence to support a conviction,
a reviewing court can still re-weigh the evidence and reverse a lower court's holdings.
State v. Thompkins, 78 Ohio St.3d 380, 678 N.E.2d 541. Thus, the civil-manifest-
weight-of-the-evidence standard affords the lower court more deference then does the
criminal standard. See Barkley v. Barkley (1997), 119 Ohio App.3d 155, 159, 694
Stark County, Case No. 2011-CA-00060 10
N.E.2d 989.” State v. Wilson, 713 Ohio St.3d 382, 387-88, 2007-Ohio-2202 at ¶ 25-26;
865 N.E.2d 1264, 1269-1270.
{¶ 26} An appellate court may not merely substitute its view for that of the jury,
but must find that "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." State v.
Thompkins, supra, 78 Ohio St.3d at 387. (Quoting State v. Martin (1983), 20 Ohio
App.3d 172, 175, 485 N.E.2d 717, 720-721). Accordingly, reversal on manifest weight
grounds is reserved for "the exceptional case in which the evidence weighs heavily
against the conviction." Id.
{¶ 27} In the case at bar, appellant essentially argues first that the only person to
identify him, Dennis Knight was not to be believed because his testimony at trial differed
from his statement to the police. Appellant argues that at trial Mr. Knight testified that
he was able to observe appellant’s face because a fan in the bedroom blew the
bandana from appellant’s face. However, appellant argues, Mr. Knight never told the
police about a fan in the bedroom. Appellant additionally posits that the jury should have
believed his alibi witness. Additionally, appellant contends that his conviction for the
firearm specification is based upon insufficient evidence and is against the manifest
weight of the evidence because the state failed to prove that the firearm was operable.
{¶ 28} A review of the record reveals that Mr. Knight never wavered in his
description of the events that occurred in the home on the night in question in one
important respect. He consistently told the police and testified at trial that the bandana
or mask appellant had used to cover his face blew upward revealing appellant’s face.
Further, Mr. Knight knew appellant from the past and immediately recognized him.
Stark County, Case No. 2011-CA-00060 11
{¶ 29} In addition, the jury could reasonably have decided to believe the victims
rather than appellant's alibi witness. The jury is able to observe the witnesses testify and
can evaluate body language, voice inflection, and facial expressions. These are
valuable tools for assessing credibility; tools which are not available to an appellate
court working from the record alone. As such, a jury's assessment of credibility is
entitled to considerable deference. See Thompkins, supra, at 390. Although appellant
presented an alibi concerning his whereabouts on the day of the crime, the jury must
consider all of the evidence presented by the state as well as other defense witnesses
in determining the validity of the alibi. In doing so in this case, we do not find the jury
lost its way in reviewing the conflicting evidence and finding appellant guilty of
aggravated burglary. See, State v. McCall (Oct. 10, 2001), Muskingum App. No.
01CA23.
{¶ 30} We conclude that the evidence was sufficient to support appellant’s
identification as one of the individuals who invaded the home as well as to support a
conviction for aggravated burglary and the jury, in resolving conflicts in the evidence, did
not clearly lose its way and create a manifest miscarriage of justice.
{¶ 31} Appellant, in the case sub judice, was further convicted of a firearm
specification pursuant to R.C. 2941.145. Such section states, in relevant part, as
follows: “(A) Imposition of a three-year mandatory prison term upon an offender under
division (B)(1)(a) of section 2929.14 of the Revised Code is precluded unless the
indictment, count in the indictment, or information charging the offense specifies that the
offender had a firearm on or about the offender's person or under the offender's control
while committing the offense and displayed the firearm, brandished the firearm,
Stark County, Case No. 2011-CA-00060 12
indicated that the offender possessed the firearm, or used it to facilitate the offense.” In
turn, “firearm” is defined in R.C. 2923.11 as follows: “(B)(1) “Firearm” means any deadly
weapon capable of expelling or propelling one or more projectiles by the action of an
explosive or combustible propellant. ‘Firearm’ includes an unloaded firearm, and any
firearm that is inoperable but that can readily be rendered operable.” In the case at bar,
appellant argues that the operability of the gun was not established by sufficient
evidence and the jury’s finding of guilt on the firearm specification was against the
manifest weight of the evidence.
{¶ 32} Pursuant to R.C. 2923.11(B)(2), “[w]hen determining whether a firearm is
capable of expelling or propelling one or more projectiles by the action of an explosive
or combustible propellant, the trier of fact may rely upon circumstantial evidence,
including, but not limited to, the representations and actions of the individual exercising
control over the firearm.” Thus, in determining whether a firearm was operable or could
have been rendered operable at the time of the offense, the trier of fact is permitted to
consider all relevant facts and circumstances surrounding the crime, including any
implicit threats made by the individual controlling the firearm. State v. Thompkins, supra,
paragraph one of the syllabus. See also, State v. Murphy (1990), 49 Ohio St.3d 206,
551 N.E. 932. As noted by the Ohio Supreme Court in Thompkins, supra “it should be
abundantly clear that where an individual brandishes a gun and implicitly but not
expressly threatens to discharge the firearm at the time of the offense, the threat can be
sufficient to satisfy the state's burden of proving that the firearm was operable or
capable of being readily rendered operable.” Id. at 384, 678 N.E.2d 541.
Stark County, Case No. 2011-CA-00060 13
{¶ 33} Upon our review of the record and after reviewing all relevant facts and
circumstances surrounding the crime, we find that the state proved beyond a
reasonable doubt that the firearm used by appellant was operable or could have been
readily rendered operable at the time of the offense.
{¶ 34} Mr. Knight and Ms. Coons each identified the weapon used during the
commission of the crime as a semi-automatic handgun. Appellant pointed the firearm at
the individuals clearly conveying to each that he would shoot him or her if the individual
did not comply with the demands of the intruders. Appellant pointed the firearm directly
into Mr. Knight’s face and hit him in the head with the barrel of the gun two times.
{¶ 35} Under the facts and circumstances of the case at bar, the evidence was
sufficient to prove the operability of the gun. We conclude that the evidence was
sufficient to support a conviction for the firearm specification and the jury, in resolving
conflicts in the evidence, did not clearly lose its way and create a manifest miscarriage
of justice.
{¶ 36} Appellant’s First Assignment of Error is overruled.
II.
{¶ 37} In his Second Assignment of Error appellant argues the trial court's
imposition of a consecutive sentence was contrary to law and an abuse of discretion
because it failed to consider all of the required factors under R.C. 2929.11 and R.C.
2929.12. We disagree.
{¶ 38} Specifically, appellant argues the transcript of proceedings fails to reflect
that the trial court considered R.C. 2929.11 and R.C. 2929.12 before imposing
sentence.
Stark County, Case No. 2011-CA-00060 14
{¶ 39} In a plurality opinion, the Supreme Court of Ohio established a two-step
procedure for reviewing a felony sentence. State v. Kalish, 120 Ohio St.3d 23, 2008-
Ohio-4912, 896 N.E.2d 124. The first step is to “examine the sentencing court's
compliance with all applicable rules and statutes in imposing the sentence to determine
whether the sentence is clearly and convincingly contrary to law.” Kalish at ¶ 4. If this
first step “is satisfied,” the second step requires the trial court's decision be “reviewed
under an abuse-of-discretion standard.” Id.
{¶ 40} As a plurality opinion, Kalish is of limited precedential value. See Kraly v.
Vannewkirk (1994), 69 Ohio St.3d 627, 633, 635 N.E.2d 323 (characterizing prior case
as “of questionable precedential value inasmuch as it was a plurality opinion which
failed to receive the requisite support of four justices of this court in order to constitute
controlling law”). See, State v. Franklin (2009), 182 Ohio App.3d 410, 912 N.E.2d 1197,
2009-Ohio-2664 at ¶ 8. “Whether Kalish actually clarifies the issue is open to debate.
The opinion carries no syllabus and only three justices concurred in the decision. A
fourth concurred in judgment only and three justices dissented.” State v. Ross, 4th Dist.
No. 08CA872, 2009-Ohio-877, at FN 2; State v. Welch, Washington App. No. 08CA29,
2009-Ohio-2655 at ¶ 6.
{¶ 41} Nevertheless, until the Supreme Court of Ohio provides further guidance
on the issue, we will continue to apply Kalish to appeals involving felony sentencing.
State v. Welch, supra; State v. Reed, Cuyahoga App. No. 91767, 2009-Ohio-2264 at fn.
2.
{¶ 42} The Supreme Court held, in Kalish, that the trial court's sentencing
decision was not contrary to law. "The trial court expressly stated that it considered the
Stark County, Case No. 2011-CA-00060 15
purposes and principles of R.C. 2929.11, as well as the factors listed in R.C. 2929.12.
Moreover, it properly applied post-release control, and the sentence was within the
permissible range. Accordingly, the sentence is not clearly and convincingly contrary to
law." Kalish at ¶ 18. The Court further held that the trial court "gave careful and
substantial deliberation to the relevant statutory considerations" and that there was
"nothing in the record to suggest that the court's decision was unreasonable, arbitrary,
or unconscionable." Kalish at ¶ 20; State v. Wolfe, Stark App. No. 2008-CA-00064,
2009-Ohio-830 at ¶ 25.
{¶ 43} The relevant sentencing law is now controlled by the Ohio Supreme
Court's decision in State v. Foster, i.e. " * * * trial courts have full discretion to impose a
prison sentence within the statutory range and are no longer required to make findings
or give their reasons for imposing maximum, consecutive, or more than the minimum
sentences." 109 Ohio St.3d 1, 30, 2006-Ohio-856 at ¶ 100, 845 N.E.2d 470, 498.
{¶ 44} In the first step of our analysis, we review whether the sentence is
contrary to law. In the case at bar, appellant was convicted of aggravated burglary a
felony of the first degree. The sentencing range for a first-degree felony is three, four,
five, six seven, eight, nine or ten years. R.C. 2929.14(A)(1). The trial court sentenced
appellant to ten years in prison, which is the maximum sentence available.
{¶ 45} Upon review, we find that the trial court's sentencing on the charge
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
Stark County, Case No. 2011-CA-00060 16
Code and advised appellant regarding post release control. Therefore, the sentence is
not clearly and convincingly contrary to law.
{¶ 46} Having determined that the sentence is not contrary to law we must now
review the sentence pursuant to an abuse of discretion standard. Kalish at ¶ 4; State v.
Firouzmandi, supra at ¶ 40. In reviewing the record, we find that the trial court gave
careful and substantial deliberation to the relevant statutory considerations.
{¶ 47} The failure to indicate at the sentencing hearing that the court has
considered the factors in R.C. 2929.11 and 2929.12 does not automatically require
reversal. State v. Reed, 10th Dist. No. 09AP–1163, 2010–Ohio–5819, ¶ 8. “When the
trial court does not put on the record its consideration of R.C. 2929.11 and 2929.12, it is
presumed that the trial court gave proper consideration to those statutes.” Id., citing
Kalish at ¶ 18, fn. 4. “The Code does not specify that the sentencing judge must use
specific language or make specific findings on the record in order to evince the requisite
consideration of the applicable seriousness and recidivism factors.” State v. Arnett, 88
Ohio St.3d 208, 215, 2000–Ohio–302.
{¶ 48} Further the Supreme Court of Ohio held in State v. Hodge, 128 Ohio St.3d
1, 2010–Ohio–6320, “For all the foregoing reasons, we hold that the decision of the
United States Supreme Court in Oregon v. Ice [(2009), 555 U.S. 160, 129 S.Ct. 711,
172 L.Ed.2d 517], does not revive Ohio's former consecutive-sentencing statutory
provisions, R.C. 2929.14(E)(4) and 2929.41(A), which were held unconstitutional in
State v. Foster. Because the statutory provisions are not revived, trial court judges are
not obligated to engage in judicial fact-finding prior to imposing consecutive sentences
Stark County, Case No. 2011-CA-00060 17
unless the General Assembly enacts new legislation requiring that findings be made.”
See, State v. Fry, Delaware App. No. 10CAA090068, 2011-Ohio-2022 at ¶ 16-17.
{¶ 49} In the case at bar, the trial court's March 14, 2011 journal entry states it
has considered the purposes and principles of sentencing as set forth in R.C. 2929.11,
as well as the factors set forth in R.C. 2929.12.
{¶ 50} We find the trial court properly considered the purposes and principles of
sentencing set forth in R.C. 2929.11, as well as the applicable factors set forth in R.C.
2929.12, along with all other relevant factors and circumstances. While appellant may
disagree with the weight given to these factors by the trial judge, appellant's sentence
was within the applicable statutory range for a felony of the first degree and therefore,
we have no basis for concluding that it is contrary to law. Similarly, the trial court's
sentence cannot be said to be an abuse of discretion given the circumstances here.
See Blakemore v. Blakemore (1983), 5 Ohio St.3d 217, 219 (an abuse of discretion
“implies that the court's attitude is unreasonable, arbitrary or unconscionable.”).
Stark County, Case No. 2011-CA-00060 18
{¶ 51} Accordingly, we overrule appellant's Second Assignment of Error.
{¶ 52} For the foregoing reasons, the judgment of the Stark County Court of
Common Pleas, Ohio, is affirmed.
By Gwin, P.J.,
Farmer, J., and
Delaney, J., concur
_________________________________
HON. W. SCOTT GWIN
_________________________________
HON. SHEILA G. FARMER
_________________________________
HON. PATRICIA A. DELANEY
[Cite as State v. Backie, 2011-Ohio-5801.]
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS FOR STARK COUNTY, OHIO
FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
STATE OF OHIO :
:
Plaintiff-Appellee :
:
:
v. : JUDGMENT ENTRY
:
TRAVONCE RASHAWN BACKIE :
:
:
Defendant-Appellant : CASE NO. 2011-CA-00060
For the reasons stated in our accompanying Memorandum-Opinion, the
judgment of the Stark County Court of Common Pleas, Ohio, is affirmed. Costs to
appellant.
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HON. W. SCOTT GWIN
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HON. SHEILA G. FARMER
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HON. PATRICIA A. DELANEY
State v. Backie
Combined Opinion