State v. Matthews

[Cite as State v. Matthews, 2011-Ohio-1321.]

COURT OF APPEALS
HOLMES 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.
:
-vs- :
: Case No. 10-CA-009
HERMAN D. MATTHEWS :
:
Defendant-Appellant : OPINION

CHARACTER OF PROCEEDING: Criminal appeal from the Holmes County
Court of Common Pleas, Case No. 10-CR-
013

JUDGMENT: Affirmed

DATE OF JUDGMENT ENTRY: March 21, 2011

APPEARANCES:

For Plaintiff-Appellee For Defendant-Appellant

F. CHRISTOPHER OEHL DAVID M. HUNTER
Assistant Prosecuting Attorney 244 W. Main Street
164 E. Jackson Street Loudonville, OH 44842
Millersburg, OH 44654
[Cite as State v. Matthews, 2011-Ohio-1321.]

Gwin, P.J.

{¶1} Defendant-appellant Herman D. Matthews appeals his convictions and

sentences in the Holmes County Court of Common Pleas for theft, a felony of the fourth

degree, in violation of R.C. 2913.02(A)(2). Plaintiff-appellee is the State of Ohio.

STATEMENT OF THE CASE AND FACTS

{¶2} This case arose from the rental of a backhoe from Keim Lumber in

Holmes County, Ohio. On December 21, 2009, appellant and another individual went to

Keim Lumber to rent a mini excavator and trailer. The appellant claimed it was for a

one-day rental. When appellant made a phone reservation on December 17, 2009, he

gave a fictitious business address and nonworking telephone number. He confirmed

that fake address and false phone number in person on December 21, 2009. On the

day appellant was to return the mini excavator he called Keim Lumber claiming, "the

neighbor from where he was doing the work also wanted to have some work done.” The

excavator valued at $18,800.00 and the trailer valued at $3,625.00 were never returned

to Keim Lumber by appellant or anyone else.

{¶3} Appellant was interviewed by Detective McVicker of the Holmes County

Sheriff's Department at the jail on February 19, 2010. That interview was recorded.

{¶4} Appellant was arraigned on March 31, 2010 at which time he was

provided discovery including the audio recording of his initial custodial interrogation of

February 19, 2010. Also provided at that time was a written documentation of his

waiver of his Miranda warnings. However, the waiver provided in the written

documentation related to his second meeting with detectives on March 2, 2010. During

the trial when it was discovered that the written version of the waiver for the February
Holmes County, Case No. 10-CA-009 3

19th interview was not in the state's file and therefore not provided in open discovery, the

state, after the afternoon break, provided the Miranda Rights and Waiver form for the

interview on February 19, 2010. Defense counsel moved the court for a mistrial and

sanction based upon Criminal Rule 16, asserting that he was denied the ability to

prepare cross-examination and did not have a chance to file a Motion to Suppress. The

trial court overruled both of appellant’s motions.

{¶5} The jury found appellant guilty. Appellant later filed a motion for new trial,

which was heard on May 18, 2010. Appellant’s motion for a new trial was overruled and

the matter proceeded to sentencing.

{¶6} The trial court sentenced appellant to serve fifteen months in Lorain

Correctional Institution, pay restitution to Keim Lumber in the amount of $24,400.00 and

pay court costs. Further appellant was notified concerning non-mandatory post-release

control.

{¶7} It is from this conviction which appellant now appeals, assigning the

following errors for review:

{¶8} “I. THE TRIAL COURT ERRED BY NOT GRANTING A MISTRIAL

AND/OR CONTINUING THE TRIAL BASED UPON PROSECUTORIAL VIOLATION OF

THE DISCOVERY RULES.

{¶9} “II. THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN ALLOWING A TAPE RECORDING TO

BE PLAYED FOR THE JURY WITHOUT THE SAME BEING AUTHENTICATED, AND

OVER OBJECTION OF DEFENSE COUNSEL.

{¶10} “III. THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN DENYING DEFENDANT-

APPELLANT'S MOTION FOR A NEW TRIAL.
Holmes County, Case No. 10-CA-009 4

{¶11} “IV. THE SENTENCE OF THE COURT IS CONTRARY TO STATUTE.

{¶12} “V. THE DEFENDANT-APPELLANT WAS DENIED EFFECTIVE

ASSISTANCE OF COUNSEL.”

I.

{¶13} In his first assignment of error, appellant argues that the state violated the

Rules of Criminal Discovery by failing to provide appellant the written waiver of Miranda

rights form that he signed February 19, 2010 until after the trial had begun.

{¶14} Crim.R. 16(E)(3) provides for the regulation of discovery and permits a

trial court to exercise discretion in selecting the appropriate sanction for a discovery

violation. Generally, a trial court must impose the least severe sanction for a discovery

violation that is consistent with the purposes of the rules of discovery. Prosecutorial

violations of Crim.R. 16 are reversible only when there is a showing that (1) the

prosecution's failure to disclose was a willful violation of the rule, (2) foreknowledge of

the information would have benefited the accused in the preparation of his defense, and

(3) the accused suffered some prejudicial effect.

{¶15} In the case sub judice, the record contains no evidence that the

prosecutor willfully failed to provide appellant with a written copy of the waiver of

Miranda rights form that appellant had signed on February 19, 2010. The record

demonstrates that appellant was given the audio recording of his initial custodial

interrogation of February 19, 2010 during pre-trial discovery. As the trial court in this

case noted when overruling appellant’s oral motion for a mistrial, the taped recorded

interview contains appellant’s waiver of Miranda rights. Appellant does not specifically
Holmes County, Case No. 10-CA-009 5

say how having the written version of the waiver of Miranda would have benefited

appellant in preparing his defense.

{¶16} Accordingly, appellant has failed to establish the prosecution's failure to

disclose was a willful violation of the rule, foreknowledge of the information would have

benefited appellant in the preparation of his defense, and what specific prejudice

appellant suffered because of receiving the written version of his Miranda rights waiver

after trial had begun. Thus, we find the trial court was well within its broad discretionary

authority to resolve the matter as it did.

{¶17} Appellant’s first assignment of error is overruled.

II.

{¶18} During the trial, the prosecutor played a portion of the February 19, 2010

tape-recorded interview between appellant and Detective McVicker. Prior to it being

played as part of Detective McVicker's testimony, defense counsel objected based upon

“a glitch in his tape.” Counsel objected, “until the glitch can be explained.” Counsel

based his objection on a “lack of foundation.” On appeal appellant claims the trial court

erred in permitting the tape to be played during his trial because of this lack of

foundation.

{¶19} The explanation provided by the trial court’s bailiff was that the “glitch” was

from the mechanics in the replaying the recording on the court's equipment:

{¶20} “THE BAILIFF: This machine will only buffer so much in memory at a time.

You can hear the thing stop. The drive will kick in and it then buffer more information

and click. That's what's happening here.”
Holmes County, Case No. 10-CA-009 6

{¶21} To be admissible, a tape recording must be authentic, accurate and

trustworthy. Whether to admit tape recordings containing inaudible portions is a matter

within the sound discretion of the trial court. A reviewing court should be slow to

interfere unless the court has clearly abused its discretion and a party has been

materially prejudiced. An abuse of discretion implies that the court acted unreasonably,

arbitrarily or unconscionably.

{¶22} In the case at bar, appellant had ample opportunity to cross-examine

Detective McVicker thereby clarifying any problems caused by the glitch as well as the

date the recording was made and the identity of the persons speaking on the tape.

{¶23} Based on the foregoing, we conclude that the trial court did not abuse its

discretion in admitting the audio portion of the tape and allowing the tape to be played

for the jury.

{¶24} Appellant’s second assignment of error is overruled.

III.

{¶25} In his third assignment of error appellant maintains that the trial court was

wrong not to grant his post-trial motion for a new trial.

{¶26} A motion for a new trial is governed by Crim. R. 33(A)(2). A motion for new

trial made is addressed to the sound discretion of the trial court and will not be disturbed

on appeal absent an abuse of discretion.

{¶27} Appellant argues that he is entitled to a new trial because his substantial

rights have been materially affected by misconduct of the prosecuting attorney.

Appellant contends that he was denied a fair trial because the state failed to provide

appellant the written waiver of Miranda rights form that he signed February 19, 2010
Holmes County, Case No. 10-CA-009 7

until after the trial had begun. Appellant alleges that he was prejudiced because his trial

counsel was thrown for a loss and his cross-examination “was jerked.”

{¶28} First, it is highly unlikely the outcome of appellant’s trial would have been

any different had the waiver appellant signed on February 19, 2010 been given to him

before his trial started. As we have already noted, appellant was provided with the

tape-recorded copy of his statement that contained his waiver of Miranda rights. The

appellant knew or should have known at the time of his trial that he had signed a waiver

of his Miranda rights before the commencement of his interview with Detective McVicker

on February 19, 2010. Appellant does not make any specific argument stating how

having a copy of the written waiver prior to trial could possibly have resulted in the jury

finding him not guilty of the charge.

{¶29} Appellant’s third assignment of error is overruled.

IV.

{¶30} Appellant’s fourth assignment of error concerns the trial court’s imposition

of sentence.

{¶31} Appellant first argues that his sentence is contrary to law because the trial

court was required to make findings under R.C. 2929.12(B) to 2929.12(E).

{¶32} Appellant was found guilty by a jury of theft, a felony of the fourth degree,

in violation of R.C. 2913.02(A)(2). For a violation of a felony of the fourth degree, the

potential sentence that a court can impose is six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve,

thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, or eighteen months. Appellant was

sentenced to a term of incarceration of fifteen months.
Holmes County, Case No. 10-CA-009 8

{¶33} 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

Code and advised appellant regarding post release control. Therefore, the sentence is

not clearly and convincingly contrary to law.

{¶34} Appellant next argues that the trial court found there to be no "less serious

factors.” However, appellant argues, there is no evidence that appellant caused or

expected to cause physical harm to any person or property. In fact, there is no

evidence that he caused physical harm to any person or property.

{¶35} It is not disputed in the case at bar that the excavator valued at

$18,800.00 and the trailer valued at $3,625.00 were never returned to Keim Lumber by

appellant or anyone else. Further, in this case, the trial court noted appellant's lengthy

felony criminal history, dating back to 1990. Further, the trial court acknowledged that it

did not sentence appellant to the maximum sentence because appellant did attempt to

partially cooperate with the Sheriff’s Department.

{¶36} Accordingly, there is no evidence in the record that the judge acted

unreasonably by, for example, selecting the sentence arbitrarily, basing the sentence on

impermissible factors, failing to consider pertinent factors, or giving an unreasonable

amount of weight to any pertinent factor. We find nothing in the record of appellant's

case to suggest that her sentence was based on an arbitrary distinction that would

violate the Due Process Clause of the Fifth Amendment.
Holmes County, Case No. 10-CA-009 9

{¶37} It appears to this court that the trial court's statements at the sentencing

hearing were guided by the overriding purposes of felony sentencing to protect the

public from future crime by the offender and others and to punish the offender. R.C.

2929.11.

{¶38} Based on the transcript of the sentencing hearing and the subsequent

judgment entry, this court cannot find that the trial court acted unreasonably, arbitrarily,

or unconscionably, or that the trial court violated appellant's rights to due process under

the Ohio and United States Constitutions in its sentencing appellant.

{¶39} Accordingly, appellant’s fourth assignment of error is overruled.

V.

{¶40} In his fifth assignment of error, appellant argues that he was denied

effective assistance of trial counsel.

{¶41} A claim of ineffective assistance of counsel requires a two-prong analysis.

The first inquiry is whether counsel's performance fell below an objective standard of

reasonable representation involving a substantial violation of any of defense counsel's

essential duties to appellant. The second prong is whether the appellant was prejudiced

by counsel's ineffectiveness. To prevail on this claim, appellant must meet both the

deficient performance and prejudice prongs.

{¶42} Appellant first argues that his trial counsel was ineffective because he did

not request a continuance when he received the written waiver of Miranda rights that

appellant signed on February 19, 201 until after the trial started.

{¶43} Appellant has failed to establish that he suffered prejudice because of the

failure of counsel to request a continuance. Specifically appellant does not provide this
Holmes County, Case No. 10-CA-009 10

court with any rationale as to how his case would have proceeded any differently had a

continuance been granted.

{¶44} Next appellant argues that his trial counsel was ineffective because he

permitted to be played without proper foundation the February 19, 2010 interview

between appellant and Detective McVicker. As noted in our disposition of appellant’s

second assignment of error, a proper foundation was laid and the trial court did not err

in allowing the jury to hear the tape recording. Further, appellant had a copy of the

tape-recorded interview that contained the wavier.

{¶45} Next appellant suggests that his trial counsel was somehow denied the

ability to file a motion to suppress because the state did not provide discovery of the

written waiver of Miranda rights signed by appellant on February 19, 2010.

{¶46} However, failure to file a motion to suppress constitutes ineffective

assistance of counsel only if, based on the record, the motion would have been granted.

In this case, appellant presents no cognizable argument on appeal that a motion to

suppress would have been granted had trial counsel filed one.
Holmes County, Case No. 10-CA-009 11

{¶47} Having found no errors, appellant’s trial counsel was not ineffective.

{¶48} Appellant’s fifth assignment of error is overruled.

{¶49} For all the foregoing reasons, the judgment of the Holmes County Court of

Common Pleas is affirmed.

By Gwin, P.J.,

Farmer, J., and

Delaney, J., concur

_________________________________
HON. W. SCOTT GWIN

_________________________________
HON. SHEILA G. FARMER

_________________________________
HON. PATRICIA A. DELANEY

WSG:clw 0303
[Cite as State v. Matthews, 2011-Ohio-1321.]

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS FOR HOLMES COUNTY, OHIO

FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT

STATE OF OHIO :
:
Plaintiff-Appellee :
:
:
-vs- : JUDGMENT ENTRY
:
HERMAN D. MATTHEWS :
:
:
Defendant-Appellant : CASE NO. 10-CA-009

For the reasons stated in our accompanying Memorandum-Opinion, the

judgment of the Holmes County Court of Common Pleas is affirmed. Costs to appellant.

_________________________________
HON. W. SCOTT GWIN

_________________________________
HON. SHEILA G. FARMER

_________________________________
HON. PATRICIA A. DELANEY