State v. Lawrence

[Cite as State v. Lawrence, 2014-Ohio-4797.]

Court of Appeals of Ohio
EIGHTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
COUNTY OF CUYAHOGA

JOURNAL ENTRY AND OPINION
Nos. 100371 and 100387

STATE OF OHIO

PLAINTIFF-APPELLANT AND CROSS-APPELLEE

vs.

HOWARD E. LAWRENCE, IV

DEFENDANT-APPELLEE AND CROSS-APPELLANT

JUDGMENT:
AFFIRMED IN PART, REVERSED IN PART,
AND REMANDED

Criminal Appeal from the
Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas
Case No. CR-13-570740

BEFORE: E.A. Gallagher, J., S. Gallagher, P.J., and Keough, J.

RELEASED AND JOURNALIZED: October 30, 2014
ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLANT/CROSS-APPELLEE

Timothy J. McGinty
Cuyahoga County Prosecutor
BY: James M. Price
Kevin R. Filiatraut
Assistant County Prosecutors
Justice Center, 9th Floor
1200 Ontario Street
Cleveland, Ohio 44113

ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEE/CROSS-APPELLANT

Robert L. Tobik
Cuyahoga County Public Defender
BY: Jeffrey Gamso
Assistant Public Defender
310 Lakeside Avenue, Suite 200
Cleveland, Ohio 44113

Thomas Shaughnessy
11510 Buckeye Road
Cleveland, Ohio 44104
EILEEN A. GALLAGHER, J.:
{¶1} The state of Ohio appeals this court to reverse the sentence imposed by the

Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court. The defendant Howard Lawrence opposes and cross

appeals, arguing that the trial court erred in failing to grant a mistrial and in failing to hold a

hearing before requiring identification to enter the courtroom during trial. Lawrence also argues

his guilty verdicts are against the manifest weight of the evidence. Finding merit to the state’s

appeal, we reverse and remand for proceedings consistent with this opinion. We find no merit

to Lawrence’s cross-appeal and affirm the decision of the trial court.

{¶2} In January of 2013, the Cuyahoga County Grand Jury returned an indictment

charging Lawrence with two counts of aggravated murder with one- and three-year firearm

specifications (Counts 1 and 2); one count of aggravated robbery with one- and-three-year

firearm specifications, notice of prior conviction and repeat violent offender specifications

(Count 3); one count of murder with one- and three-year firearm specifications (Count 4), three

counts of felonious assault with one- and three-year firearm specifications, notice of prior

conviction and repeat violent offender specifications (Counts 5-7), one count of kidnaping with

one- and-three-year firearm specifications, notice of prior conviction and repeat violent offender

specifications (Count 8) and one count of having a weapon while under disability (Count 9).

This indictment stemmed from a shooting incident that occurred on December 15, 2012.

{¶3} Lawrence waived his right to a jury trial as to Count 9 for having weapons while

under disability as well as the notice of prior conviction and repeat violent offender

specifications connected to Counts 3, 5, 6, 7 and 8. A jury tried the remainder of the case. On

the third day of trial, and in response to information provided by the Cleveland Police

Department, the court issued an order requiring that anyone wishing to enter the courtroom must

state their name, present a valid form of picture identification and be amenable to having their
picture taken prior to entering the courtroom. The court also ordered additional screenings for

weapons at the entrance to the courtroom. The Cleveland Police Department informed the court

that members of the Heartless Felons, a well known criminal gang, would be attending the trial to

try and intimidate witnesses.1

{¶4} The sole eyewitness in this case was Steven Thomas. Thomas testified that on the

evening of the shooting, he had smoked five marijuana blunts and drank approximately two

alcoholic beverages, and admitted that he was impaired.

{¶5} Thomas arrived at the home of Uriah Howard, which had been converted into an

after-hours spot where people would drink, party and shoot dice. Thomas testified that

Lawrence arrived at the residence on the night of the incident with the victim Deangelo Chandler.

He stated that there were probably 14 to 16 people at the house. Over the course of the

evening Thomas observed Lawrence shooting dice with a person named “Roy.” Thomas and

Roy were acquaintances; however, he was not acquainted with Lawrence until the evening in

question.

{¶6} Thomas testified that the dice game went on for about 40 minutes. When the game

was finished, Thomas observed Lawrence turn to his friend Chandler and asked for his “strap.”

Thomas stated that Chandler initially thought Lawrence wanted his cell phone, but Lawrence

clarified that he wanted Chandler’s firearm. Thomas observed Chandler hand Lawrence his

weapon, saw Lawrence point the gun at Roy, demand the return of the money that he had lost

shooting dice and then fire the gun. Thomas testified that as soon as Lawrence fired the

1
The record reflects that during jury selection there was an incident involving a spectator
attempting to take pictures of jurors. Additionally, there were a number of witnesses who refused to
testify during trial.
weapon, Thomas took cover behind the bar. Thomas stated that a few moments passed and he

heard two more shots fired then saw Lawrence running towards the kitchen of the house away

from the room where the shooting occurred. Thomas stated that he heard Chandler say, “you

shot me.” Thomas could not tell to whom Chandler’s statement was directed.

{¶7} Thomas and several bystanders helped Chandler to Uriah Howard’s car and they

then drove him to St. Vincent’s Charity Hospital. Chandler died at the hospital from a gunshot

wound.

{¶8} The jury convicted Lawrence of aggravated robbery with one- and three-year firearm

specifications as charged in Count 3 and felonious assault with one- and three-year firearm

specifications as charged in Counts 5 through 7 of the indictment. The court found Lawrence

guilty of having weapons while under disability as charged in Count 9 and guilty of the notice of

prior conviction and repeat violent offender specifications as charged in Counts 3, 5, 6 and 7.

The jury found Lawrence not guilty of the remaining counts.

{¶9} At his sentencing hearing, the court noted that Counts 3, 6, 7, 8 and 9 as well as their

attendant specifications merged for purposes of sentencing with the state electing to sentence on

Count 3, aggravated robbery. The court then sentenced Lawrence on that charge to a total

prison term of 21 years: 11 years on the base charge, three years on the firearm specification and

7 years on the repeat violent offender specification with the specifications to be served prior to

and consecutive with the base term of 11 years. On the remaining charge of felonious assault

(Count 5), the court sentenced Lawrence to 21 years in prison: eight years on the base charge,

three years for the firearm specification and ten years on the repeat violent offender specification

with the specifications to be served prior to and consecutive with the base term of eight years.

The court ordered the sentences on Counts 3 and 5 to be served concurrent for a total prison term
of 21 years.2

{¶10} The state’s appeal consists of a single assigned error:

The trial court committed reversible error by failing to impose two consecutive
three-year prison sentences for firearms specifications associated with defendant’s
aggravated robbery and felonious assault convictions.

{¶11} Lawrence cross appeals, raising the following assigned errors:

I. The trial court committed error when it overruled Mr. Lawrence’s motion

for mistrial.

II. The trial court committed error when, without first holding a hearing on
the record, it determined to preclude access to the courtroom for any
spectators who would not produce “valid picture identification or other
credible identification” and who was unwilling to accept the possibility of
having their pictures taken when entering the courtroom.

III. The verdicts finding Mr. Lawrence guilty were not supported by the

manifest weight of the evidence.

{¶12} In the state’s sole assignment of error, it argues that the trial court erred in failing to

impose two consecutive three-year prison terms for firearm specifications associated with

Lawrence’s convictions for aggravated robbery and felonious assault.

{¶13} Ordinarily, the trial court is forbidden from imposing sentence on multiple firearm

specifications for “felonies committed as part of the same act or transaction.” R.C.

2929.14(B)(1)(b). However, this section applies only to the extent that R.C. 2929.14(B)(1)(g)

does not apply, which states:

If an offender is convicted of or pleads guilty to two or more felonies, if one or

2
The court’s sentencing entry notes a conviction on Count 8. However, as noted above, the
jury found Lawrence not guilty on the charge of kidnapping and not guilty to all attached
specifications. As such, the trial court shall correct its journal to reflect this not guilty finding and
remove any mention of Count 8 in the sentencing entry.
 more of those felonies are aggravated murder, murder, attempted aggravated
murder, attempted murder, aggravated robbery, felonious assault, or rape, and if
the offender is convicted of or pleads guilty to a specification of the type
described under division (B)(1)(a) of this section in connection with two or more
of the felonies, the sentencing court shall impose on the offender the prison term
specified under division (B)(1)(a) of this section for each of the two most serious
specifications of which the offender is convicted or to which the offender pleads
guilty and, in its discretion, also may impose on the offender the prison term
specified under that division for any or all of the remaining specifications.

{¶14} In quoting from the Twelfth District, this court has stated that:

While the General Assembly did not include the word “consecutive” in R.C.
2929.14(B)(1)(g), it nonetheless carved out an exception to the general rule that a
trial court may not impose multiple firearm specifications for crimes committed
within a single transaction. The mandatory language of the statute (“the court shall
impose”) also indicates the General Assembly’s intention that the defendant serve
multiple sentences for firearm specifications associated with the enumerated
crimes, such as [aggravated robbery] or felonious assault. Had the legislature
intended a per se rule that sentences for firearm specifications must be served
concurrent with one another, it could have stated as much. Or, the legislature
could have chosen not to codify R.C. 2929.14(B)(1)(g), which serves as an
exception to the rule that multiple firearm specifications must be merged for
purposes of sentencing when the predicate offenses were committed as a single
criminal transaction.

State v. Vanderhorst, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 97242, 2013-Ohio-1785, ¶ 10, citing State v.

Isreal, 12th Dist. Warren No. CA2011-11-115, 2012-Ohio-4876.

{¶15} In this case, the jury found Lawrence guilty of aggravated robbery with one- and

three-year firearm specifications. The jury also found him guilty of felonious assault with one-

and three-year firearm specifications. In its sentencing entry, the trial court imposed three-year

sentences for each firearm specification but ordered them to run concurrently. The state claims

that this sentence is contrary to law and we agree.

{¶16} Lawrence argues that because R.C. 2929.14(B)(1)(g) does not mention consecutive

sentences in the statute, he should not be sentenced as such. However, this court has interpreted

the language in R.C. 2929.14(B)(1)(g) to be an exception to the general rule that consecutive
sentences cannot be imposed on firearm specifications as part of the same transaction. See

Vanderhorst. Therefore, the trial court was required pursuant to R.C. 2929.14(B)(1)(g) to

impose two consecutive three-year sentences on the firearm specifications. See Vanderhorst;

Isreal.

{¶17} We therefore sustain the state’s sole assigned error and remand for correction

pursuant to Crim.R. 36 and R.C. 2929.14(B)(1)(g).

{¶18} In his first assigned error, Lawrence argues that the trial court erred in overruling

his motion for a mistrial. We disagree.

{¶19} The decision to grant a mistrial is within the sound discretion of the trial court and

will not be overruled absent an abuse of discretion. State v. Conner, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No.

99557, 2014-Ohio-601, ¶ 84. A mistrial should not be granted simply because a minor

irregularity or error occurred. Id. The substantive rights of the accused or the prosecution must

be impaired by the alleged error. Id. Thus, a motion for a mistrial should be granted only when

a fair trial is no longer possible. Id.

{¶20} In the present case, the grand jury returned a nine-count indictment against

Lawrence and Lawrence signed a jury waiver as to Count 9. At the beginning of the trial the

court listed the charges for the jury. In explaining the charges against Lawrence the judge said,

“we have nine charges.” Almost immediately after making this statement, the court corrected

itself saying that the jury only had eight charges to consider.

{¶21} Lawrence moved for a mistrial on the premise that he was prejudiced by the mere

mention of this ninth count to the jury. However, Lawrence cites no authority to support this

argument. He also fails to point to any evidence in the records that suggests that this error made

a fair trial impossible. An appellate court may disregard an assignment of error pursuant to
App.R. 12(A)(2) if an appellant fails to cite to any legal authority in support of an argument as

required by App.R. 16(A)(7). State v. Martin, 12th Dist. Warren No. CA99-01-003, 1999 Ohio

App. LEXIS 3266 (July 12, 1999), citing Meerhoff v. Huntington Mtge. Co., 103 Ohio App.3d

164, 658 N.E.2d 1109 (3d Dist.1995); Siemientkowski v. State Farm Ins., 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No.

85323, 2005-Ohio-4295. “If an argument exists that can support this assigned error, it is not this

court’s duty to root it out.” Cardone v. Cardone, 9th Dist. Summit Nos. 18349 and 18673, 1998

Ohio App. LEXIS 2028 (May 6, 1998).

{¶22} We find no error with the court’s denial of Lawrence’s motion for a mistrial.

Accordingly, Lawrence’s first assigned error is overruled.

{¶23} In his second assigned error, Lawrence claims error with the trial court’s failure to

hold a hearing before instituting procedures governing entry into the courtroom during his trial.

{¶24} A trial court is not required to hold a hearing on the record before deciding

courtroom closure issues. State v. Bolan, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 95807, 2011-Ohio-4501, ¶ 60.

The Sixth Amendment right to a public trial is not absolute and is subject to some limitations; a

trial judge has discretion and control over the proceedings. Id. Courts review partial courtroom

closures under a triviality standard. State v. Sowell, 10th Dist. Franklin No. 06AP-443,

2008-Ohio-3285, ¶ 37. Under this review, we look to determine whether the actions of the court

deprived the defendant of the protections guaranteed by the Sixth Amendment. Id.

{¶25} In the present case, the actions taken by the trial court clearly did not violate the

defendant’s right to a fair trial. The record reflects that the trial court received information from

the Cleveland Police Department suggesting that members of a well-known prison gang would

be attending the hearings to intimidate jurors. The record also reflects that there was an incident

during jury selection involving a spectator attempting to take a picture of the jurors with a cell
phone. There were also numerous issues throughout the trial with witnesses refusing to testify.

{¶26} These incidents aside, this was a very narrowly tailored procedure designed to

protect the jurors in the trial. The record does not reflect that anyone was ever barred from

entering the courtroom. Visitors were simply required to state their name, submit some form of

valid identification, agree to turn off their cell phones, submit to a “wanding” if requested and

were notified that their picture may be taken when entering the courtroom.

{¶27} We find no error with the trial court’s failure to hold a hearing or with the

procedures implemented during trial. Lawrence’s second assigned error is overruled.

{¶28} In his third and final assigned error, Lawrence argues that his convictions for

aggravated robbery and felonious assault were against the manifest weight of the evidence.

{¶29} The Ohio Supreme Court has carefully distinguished the terms sufficiency and

weight of the evidence in criminal cases, declaring that they are “both quantitatively and

qualitatively different.” Eastley v. Volkman, 132 Ohio St.3d 328, 2012-Ohio-2179, 972 N.E.2d

517,¶ 10, citing State v. Thompkins, 78 Ohio St.3d 380, 678 N.E.2d 541 (1997), paragraph two of

the syllabus.

{¶30} Unlike a review of the sufficiency of the evidence, an appellate court’s function

when reviewing the manifest weight of the evidence is to determine whether the greater amount

of credible evidence supports the verdict. Volkman at ¶ 12; Thompkins at 387. In reviewing

whether the jury’s verdict was against the weight of the evidence, the appellate court sits as a

“thirteenth juror” and examines the existing testimony. Id. In doing so, this court examines the

entire record, weighs the evidence and all of the reasonable inferences to be made, considers the

credibility of witnesses, and determines whether in resolving conflicts in the evidence, 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.” Id.

{¶31} The court remains mindful that the weight of the evidence and the credibility of

witnesses are matters primarily for the jury to assess. State v. DeHass, 10 Ohio St.2d 230, 227

N.E.2d 212 (1967). Only in exceptional cases, where the evidence “weighs heavily against the

conviction,” should an appellate court overturn a verdict. Thompkins at 387.

{¶32} The charge of felonious assault in Count 5 requires the state to prove that the

defendant did knowingly cause or attempt to cause physical harm to Deangelo Chandler by

means of a deadly weapon. R.C. 2903.11.

{¶33} The state’s witness Steven Thomas testified that he was a guest at the house

where the shooting took place and saw no one with a firearm other than the one that transferred

from Chandler to Lawrence. Thomas testified that on the evening of this incident, he had

smoked approximately five blunts and drank two glasses of brandy. Thomas also testified that

he saw the dice game that led Lawrence to demand his lost earnings be returned from Roy,

another guest at the party.

{¶34} Thomas testified that he saw Lawrence fire two shots at Roy from a distance of

approximately seven feet. Further, Thomas testified that after Lawrence fired his initial two

shots, Thomas took cover behind a bar. Thomas testified that he heard two more shots fired but

did not see who fired the weapon. He stated that from his position behind the bar, he saw

Lawrence leaving the room, “running toward the kitchen way.”

{¶35} We find, as it relates to the charge of felonious assault, that the greater weight of

credible evidence does support a guilty verdict. The facts are that the defendant and the victim

were at a cheat spot in a home where alcohol was being consumed, marijuana being smoked and

gambling taking place. Both males were present along with a dozen other individuals.
 {¶36} Our failure to support Lawrence’s weight of the evidence argument extends to

his conviction for aggravated robbery. In that count, the state presented the jury with eyewitness

testimony that Lawrence pointed a handgun at Roy and demanded the money he lost in the dice

game. In reviewing this evidence, we cannot state that the jury lost its way or created a manifest

miscarriage of justice. Accordingly, Lawrence’s third assigned error is overruled.

{¶37} The judgment of the trial court is affirmed in part and reversed in part. Further, we

remand this matter for correction of the court’s sentencing entry to remove any mention of an

imposed sentence for Count 8. The record correctly reflects that the jury found Lawrence not

guilty on this charge.

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

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.

EILEEN A. GALLAGHER, JUDGE

SEAN C. GALLAGHER, P.J., and
KATHLEEN ANN KEOUGH, J., CONCUR