State v. Jerninghan

[Cite as State v. Jerninghan, 2011-Ohio-4502.]

Court of Appeals of Ohio
EIGHTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
COUNTY OF CUYAHOGA

JOURNAL ENTRY AND OPINION
No. 95818

STATE OF OHIO
PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE

vs.

TOMMIE JERNINGHAN
DEFENDANT-APPELLANT

JUDGMENT:
AFFIRMED

Criminal Appeal from the
Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas
Case No. CR-537831

BEFORE: S. Gallagher, J., Boyle, P.J., and E. Gallagher, J.

RELEASED AND JOURNALIZED: September 8, 2011
ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANT

Matthew M. Nee
The Law Office of Matthew M. Nee
1956 West 25th Street
Suite 302
Cleveland, Ohio 44113

ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEE

William D. Mason
Cuyahoga County Prosecutor

BY: Matthew Waters
Assistant Prosecuting Attorney
The Justice Center, 8th Floor
1200 Ontario Street
Cleveland, Ohio 44113

SEAN C. GALLAGHER, J.:

{¶ 1} Defendant-appellant Tommie Jerninghan appeals from a decision of the

Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas denying his presentence motion to vacate his plea

and sentencing him to an eight-month term of incarceration. Jerninghan pleaded guilty to
one count of breaking and entering in violation of R.C. 2911.13(B), a fifth-degree felony.

For the following reasons, we affirm the decision of the trial court.

{¶ 2} Jerninghan was accused of breaking and entering into a scrap yard. On the day

of the incident, Jerninghan waited for a security guard to leave his post before scaling a fence

to gain access to the scrap yard. The security guard, however, spotted Jerninghan and

apprehended him before anything was taken or disturbed. Jerninghan pleaded guilty to one

count of breaking and entering. After the court announced a six-month term of incarceration

as part of his sentence, Jerninghan notified the court of his unresolved, pro se presentence

motion to vacate his plea. The court vacated the announced sentence and set the matter for a

hearing on Jerninghan’s pro se motion. At all times, Jerninghan was represented by counsel.

{¶ 3} In Jerninghan’s presentence motion to vacate his plea, he limited his arguments to

whether the state properly indicted him for breaking and entering. Jerninghan argued that

since he did not take anything from the scrap yard — he was apprehended upon entering — he

should be charged only with criminal trespass. At the oral argument on his motion to vacate

the plea, Jerninghan first argued that his plea was not knowing and voluntarily entered because

his then attorney promised the judge would sentence him to unconditional probation without

restrictions. When questioned by the trial court, Jerninghan admitted that he pleaded guilty

in order to secure his release from jail on personal bond. After hearing Jerninghan’s

arguments, the trial court denied the motion to vacate Jerninghan’s plea and sentenced him to a
term of incarceration of eight months. It is from that decision that Jerninghan timely appeals,

raising three assignments of error. We will address each in turn.

{¶ 4} Jerninghan’s first assignment of error provides as follows: “The trial court erred

by not granting Mr. Jerninghan’s motion to vacate his plea.” Jerninghan challenges the trial

court’s decision to deny his presentence motion to vacate his plea based on his claim that he

did not knowingly and voluntarily enter the plea. His first assignment of error is without

merit.

{¶ 5} Crim.R. 32.1 states as follows: “A motion to withdraw a plea of guilty or no

contest may be made only before sentence is imposed or imposition of sentence is suspended;

but to correct manifest injustice the court after sentence may set aside the judgment of

conviction and permit the defendant to withdraw his plea.” A presentence motion to

withdraw a guilty plea should be freely granted. “Nevertheless, it must be recognized that a

defendant does not have an absolute right to withdraw a plea prior to sentencing. Therefore,

the trial court must conduct a hearing to determine whether there is a reasonable and legitimate

basis for the withdrawal of the plea.” State v. Xie (1992), 62 Ohio St.3d 521, 527, 584

N.E.2d 715. The decision to grant or deny such motion is entirely within the trial court’s

discretion. We will not alter a trial court’s decision absent a showing of an abuse of

discretion. Id.; State v. Peterseim (1980), 68 Ohio App.2d 211, 428 N.E.2d 863, at syllabus.
A mere change of heart is an insufficient justification for withdrawing a plea. State v. Meade

(May 22, 1986), Cuyahoga App. No. 50678.

{¶ 6} “A trial court does not abuse its discretion in overruling a motion to withdraw:

(1) where the accused is represented by highly competent counsel, (2) where the accused was

afforded a full hearing, pursuant to Crim.R. 11, before he entered the plea, (3) when, after the

motion to withdraw is filed, the accused is given a complete and impartial hearing on the

motion, and (4) where the record reveals that the court gave full and fair consideration to the

plea withdrawal request.” State v. Johnson, Cuyahoga App. No. 83350, 2004-Ohio-2012,

citing Peterseim, 68 Ohio App.2d 211.

{¶ 7} In respect to the second factor above, “[w]hen a defendant enters a plea in a

criminal case,the plea must be made knowingly, intelligently, and voluntarily. Failure on any

of those points renders enforcement of the plea unconstitutional under both the United States

Constitution and the Ohio Constitution.” State v. Engle, 74 Ohio St.3d 525, 527,

1996-Ohio-179, 660 N.E.2d 450. Under Crim.R. 11(C)(2), before accepting a guilty plea in a

felony case, the trial court must determine whether the defendant is making the plea

voluntarily and with an understanding of the nature of the charges.

{¶ 8} The standard of review for determining whether a plea was knowing, intelligent,

and voluntary within the meaning of Crim.R. 11 for nonconstitutional issues is substantial

compliance. State v. Nero (1990), 56 Ohio St.3d 106, 108, 564 N.E.2d 474, citing State v.
Stewart (1977), 51 Ohio St.2d 86, 92-93, 364 N.E.2d 1163. “A plea is in substantial

compliance with Crim.R. 11 when it can be inferred from the totality of the circumstances that

the defendant understands the charges against him.” State v. Walker (Sept. 29, 1994),

Cuyahoga App. No. 65794, citing State v. Rainey (1982), 3 Ohio App.3d 441, 446 N.E.2d

188, at paragraph one of the syllabus. “Substantial compliance means that under the totality

of circumstances the defendant subjectively understands the implications of his plea and the

rights he is waiving.” Stewart, 51 Ohio St.2d at 93. Furthermore, a defendant must show a

prejudicial effect or, in other words, whether the plea would have otherwise been made. Id.

{¶ 9} The trial court held a hearing to determine the reasonableness of Jerninghan’s

motion to vacate his plea and thoroughly considered the arguments advanced. Jerninghan,

represented by counsel at all times, claimed his reason for entering the plea was due to his then

attorney’s promise that the judge would sentence Jerninghan to unconditional probation

without restrictions. Jerninghan did not raise that issue in his motion to vacate the plea,

which was limited to arguing that the state could not prove breaking and entering because

Jerninghan was apprehended prior to stealing anything.

{¶ 10} Jerninghan’s claim that his attorney promised an outcome depends entirely on

the trial court’s assessment of Jerninghan’s credibility. The attorney did not testify. The

trial court determined Jerninghan’s testimony to be incredible. At the plea hearing, the trial

court conducted a thorough colloquy detailing Jerninghan’s rights, ensuring Jerninghan
understood those rights, and informing him of the potential penalties of the breaking and

entering charge. The trial court stated specifically that the breaking and entering charge

included a term of incarceration ranging from six to 12 months and never mentioned

probation. The court also specifically noted that there were no promises with regard to any

sentence because another judge would be handling the sentencing. Jerninghan acknowledged

the ramifications of pleading guilty and further that no promises were made by anyone with

respect to sentencing. The trial court fully complied with Crim.R. 11 during the plea

colloquy. In fact, Jerninghan admits to tainting the plea process himself to secure his release.

{¶ 11} Jerninghan admitted at the hearing on his motion to vacate that he pleaded guilty

to ensure his release from jail on personal bond. The trial court noted, and we agree based on

that admission, at best Jerninghan lied to the trial court judge in an attempt to “play” the

system. We will not condone such strategies. His motion to withdraw the plea is

tantamount to a change of heart. A defendant’s change of heart alone is not a sufficient basis

for the court to allow the defendant to withdraw his plea. Meade, Cuyahoga App. No. 50678.

Further, nothing in the record indicates that his plea was other than knowing, intelligent, and

voluntary within the meaning of Crim.R. 11.

{¶ 12} Because of the fact that the trial court strictly adhered to the mandates of

Crim.R. 11 during the plea colloquy and thoroughly considered Jerninghan’s motion to vacate

the plea, we find the trial court did not abuse its discretion in denying Jerninghan’s motion.
Jerninghan did not have a reasonable or legitimate basis for withdrawing his plea. We

accordingly overrule Jerninghan’s first assignment of error.

{¶ 13} Jerninghan’s second assignment of error provides as follows: “The trial court

erred by sentencing Mr. Jerninghan to eight months in prison when it intended to sentence Mr.

Jerninghan to six months in prison.” For the following reasons, his second assignment of

error is overruled.
1

{¶ 14} At the original sentencing hearing, and immediately after announcing a

six-month term of incarceration, Jerninghan notified the court of his outstanding, presentence

motion to vacate his plea. The trial court correctly vacated its announcement of sentence and

set the matter for hearing on the overlooked motion to vacate. After denying the motion at

the hearing, the trial court sentenced Jerninghan to an eight-month term of incarceration.

Jerninghan argues that the trial court erred by not sentencing him to the six months originally

announced.

{¶ 15} Contrary to Jerninghan’s arguments, the trial court vacated its original sentence

that was orally announced prior to entering its final judgment upon the docket. The first

sentence was therefore a nullity and did not bind the court in subsequent proceedings. There

1
Generally, an appeal challenging the length of a sentence becomes moot after the defendant
has served the sentence. State v. Adams, Cuyahoga App. No. 85267, 2005-Ohio-3837, at ¶ 5.
Both parties conceded, at oral argument, that Jerninghan served his entire eight-month sentence prior
to the hearing of his appeal. However, this issue was not raised previously, and we accordingly will
address the merits of Jerninghan’s second and third assignments of error.
is no authority to support Jerninghan’s argument. We do not have the authority to alter or

vacate sentences based on a trial court’s “intention.” Jerninghan’s sentence was within the

statutory range, and he does not otherwise challenge the sentence imposed. We accordingly

overrule his second assignment of error.

{¶ 16} Jerninghan’s third and final assignment of error provides as follows:

“Mr. Jerninghan’s counsel rendered ineffective assistance of counsel[,]” by failing to “remind”

the court of the six-month term of incarceration announced at the original sentencing hearing.

His third assignment of error is without merit.

{¶ 17} In order to substantiate a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel,

the appellant must show that (1) counsel’s performance was deficient and (2)

the deficient performance prejudiced the defendant so as to deprive him of a

fair trial. State v. Trimble, 122 Ohio St.3d 297, 310, 2009-Ohio-2961, 911

N.E.2d 242, citing Strickland v. Washington (1984), 466 U.S. 668, 687, 104

S.Ct. 2052, 80 L.Ed.2d 674. Judicial scrutiny of defense counsel’s

performance must be highly deferential. Strickland, 104 S.Ct. at 2065. In

Ohio, there is a presumption that a properly licensed attorney is competent.

State v. Calhoun, 86 Ohio St.3d 279, 1999-Ohio-102, 714 N.E.2d 905. The

defendant has the burden of proving his counsel rendered ineffective

assistance. State v. Perez, 124 Ohio St.3d 122, 2009-Ohio-6179, 920 N.E.2d

104, ¶ 223.
 {¶ 18} Jerninghan argues that his counsel was ineffective for failing to

remind the trial court of its earlier announced sentence of six months in jail.

Even if we assume his counsel’s performance was deficient, the trial court was

free to fashion any sentence within the statutory range at the second

sentencing hearing. It was not bound by the earlier vacated sentence.

Therefore, even if Jerninghan’s attorney had “reminded” the court of the

earlier proceedings,2 there is nothing in the record that indicates the court

would have sentenced him to six months, instead of eight, especially in light of

the evidence offered at the second sentencing hearing of Jerninghan’s conduct

at the plea hearing. Jerninghan’s counsel asked for the minimum sentence of

six months at the second sentencing hearing, and the court considered all

sentencing factors. We cannot say that the minor oversight of failing to

remind the trial court of its action in the prior sentencing hearing prejudiced

Jerninghan. The trial court was free to consider the facts and circumstances

as they existed during his second sentencing hearing. Jerninghan’s third

assignment of error is accordingly overruled.

{¶ 19} The decision of the trial court is affirmed.

It is ordered that appellee recover from appellant costs herein taxed.

2
We note that Jerninghan also adopted the trial court’s “misstatement”
regarding the original sentence. The prosecutor specifically asked Jerninghan if he
remembered the trial judge sentencing him to eight months in the original
sentencing hearing, to which he responded in the affirmative.
 The court finds there were reasonable grounds for this appeal.

It is ordered that a special mandate issue out of this court directing the common pleas

court to carry this judgment into execution. The defendant’s conviction having been

affirmed, any bail pending appeal is terminated. Case remanded to the trial court for

execution of sentence.

A certified copy of this entry shall constitute the mandate pursuant to Rule 27 of the

Rules of Appellate Procedure.

SEAN C. GALLAGHER, JUDGE

MARY J. BOYLE, P.J., and
EILEEN A. GALLAGHER, J., CONCUR