State v. Thacker

[Cite as State v. Thacker, 2019-Ohio-1305.]

COURT OF APPEALS
MUSKINGUM COUNTY, OHIO
FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT

JUDGES:
STATE OF OHIO : Hon. W. Scott Gwin, P.J.
: Hon. Patricia A. Delaney, J.
Plaintiff-Appellee : Hon. Earle E. Wise, J.
:
-vs- :
: Case No. CT2018-0035
THOMAS J. THACKER :
:
Defendant-Appellant : OPINION

CHARACTER OF PROCEEDING: Criminal appeal from the Muskingum
County Court, Case No. TRC 1606648

JUDGMENT: Reversed and Vacated

DATE OF JUDGMENT ENTRY: April 5, 2019

APPEARANCES:

For Plaintiff-Appellee For Defendant-Appellant

D. MICHAEL HADDOX APRIL CAMPBELL
Prosecuting Attorney 545 Metro Place South, Ste. 100
GERALD ANDERSON II Dublin, OH 43017
Assistant Prosecutor
17 North Fifth St., Box 189
Zanesville, OH 43702-0189
[Cite as State v. Thacker, 2019-Ohio-1305.]

Gwin, P.J.

{¶1} Appellant Thomas J. Thacker [“Thacker”] appeals his conviction and

sentence after a plea in the Muskingum County Court.

Facts and Procedural History

{¶2} On October 17, 2016, Thacker was arrested for Operating a Vehicle under

the Influence ("OVI"), a first-degree misdemeanor; operating a vehicle after underage

consumption, a first-degree misdemeanor; and two minor misdemeanor traffic violations.

{¶3} On October 21, 2016, Thacker was arraigned and entered pleas of not

guilty. By Judgment Entry filed October 21, 2016, Thacker’s case was assigned a trial

date of November 30, 2016. On November 17, 2016, counsel entered an appearance

and filed an Administrative License Suspension Appeal [ALS] on behalf of Thacker.

[Docket No. 6]. Also on November 17, 2016, counsel for Thacker filed a Request for

Discovery. [Docket No. 7]. By entry filed November 8, 2016, the trial court scheduled a

pre-trial hearing in the case for November 30, 2016. [Docket No. 9]. On November 22,

2016, the state filed a letter indicating a response to Thacker’s discovery request and

requesting reciprocal discovery. [Docket No. 10]. Also on November 22, 2016, the trial

court scheduled the case for a pre-trial hearing and a hearing on Thacker’s ALS appeal

for November 30, 2016. [Docket No. 11].

{¶4} On February 2, 2018, the trial court scheduled Thacker’s case for a trial on

February 13, 2018. [No Docket Number]. On February 12, 2018, Thacker filed a motion

to dismiss on speedy trial grounds. [Docket Number 14]. On February 12, 2018, the

state filed a memorandum contra to Thacker’s motion to dismiss. [Docket Number 15].

On February 13, 2018, Thacker appeared in court with counsel and entered a plea of no
Muskingum County, Case No. CT2018-0035 3

contest to the driving while impaired charge, the dim light charge, and the seatbelt

violation charge. The state dismissed his underage consumption offense. On May 4,

2018, the trial court scheduled a sentencing hearing for May 8, 2018. [Docket Number

19]. By Judgment Entry filed May 8, 2018, the trial court sentenced Thacker to seven

days in jail a “$375 /75” fine plus court costs. [Docket Number 20].

Assignment of Error

{¶5} Thacker raises one assignment of error,

{¶6} “I. THE TRIAL COURT SHOULD HAVE DISCHARGED THACKER FROM

PROSECUTION, BECAUSE THE STATE VIOLATED HIS STATUTORY AND

CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO A SPEEDY TRIAL.”

Law and Analysis

STANDARD OF APPELLATE REVIEW.

{¶7} Speedy trial provisions are mandatory and are encompassed within the

Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution. The availability of a speedy trial to a

person accused of a crime is a fundamental right made obligatory on the states through

the Fourteenth Amendment. State v. Ladd, 56 Ohio St.2d 197, 200, 383 N.E.2d 579

(1978). “The statutory speedy trial provisions, R.C. 2945.71 et seq., constitute a rational

effort to enforce the constitutional right to a public speedy trial of an accused charged with

the commission of a felony or a misdemeanor and shall be strictly enforced by the courts

of this state.” State v. Pachay, 64 Ohio St.2d 218, 416 N.E.2d 589 (1980), syllabus.

{¶8} Our review of a trial court’s decision regarding a motion to dismiss based

upon a violation of the speedy trial provisions involves a mixed question of law and fact.

State v. Larkin, 5th Dist. No.2004–CA–103, 2005-Ohio-3122, ¶11. As an appellate court,
Muskingum County, Case No. CT2018-0035 4

we must accept as true any facts found by the trial court and supported by competent,

credible evidence. State v. Taylor, 5th Dist. Richland No. 16 CA 17, 2016-Ohio-5912, ¶

43, citing Larkin, supra. With regard to the legal issues, however, we apply a de novo

standard of review and thus freely review the trial court’s application of the law to the

facts. Id.

{¶9} When reviewing the legal issues presented in a speedy-trial claim, we must

strictly construe the relevant statutes against the state. Brecksville v. Cook, 75 Ohio St.3d

53, 57, 661 N.E.2d 706, 709 (1996); State v. Colon, 5th Dist. Stark No. 09-CA-232, 2010-

Ohio-2326, ¶ 12.

ISSUE FOR APPEAL.

A. Whether the trial court permissibly extended the trial date beyond the R.C.

2945.71 time prescriptions.

{¶10} The most serious offense Thacker was charged with was a misdemeanor

of the first degree. A person charged with a first-degree misdemeanor must be brought

to trial within 90 days unless the right to a speedy trial is waived. R.C. 2945.71(B)(2).

Thacker did not waive time. Pursuant to R.C. 2945.73, a person who is not brought to

trial within the proscribed time periods found in R.C. 2945.71 and R.C. 2945.72 “shall be

discharged” and further criminal proceedings based on the same conduct are barred.

{¶11} A defendant establishes a prima facie case for discharge once he

demonstrates that he has not been brought for trial within the time limits set forth in R.C.

2945.71. State v. Ashbrook, 5th Dist. Licking No. 06 CA 158, 2007-Ohio-4635, ¶ 49,

citing State v. Butcher, 27 Ohio St.3d 28, 30–31, 500 N.E.2d 1368 (1986). When an

appellant has established he was tried outside speedy-trial time limits, the burden shifts
Muskingum County, Case No. CT2018-0035 5

to the state to show that the time limit was extended under R.C. 2945.72. Id. at ¶31. If

the state fails to produce evidence in rebuttal under R.C. 2945.72, then discharge

pursuant to R.C. 2945.73(B) is required. Id. “When reviewing a speedy-trial issue, an

appellate court must calculate the number of days chargeable to either party and

determine whether the appellant was properly brought to trial within the time limits set

forth in R.C. 2945.71.” State v. Riley, 162 Ohio App.3d 730, 2005-Ohio-4337, 834 N.E.2d

887, ¶ 19 (12th Dist.).

{¶12} Certain events toll the accumulation of speedy-trial time. R.C. 2945.72

provides for a tolling of the time limitations under certain circumstances,

The time within which an accused must be brought to trial, or, in the

case of felony, to preliminary hearing and trial, may be extended only by the

following:

(A) Any period during which the accused is unavailable for hearing

or trial, by reason of other criminal proceedings against him, within or

outside the state, by reason of his confinement in another state, or by

reason of the pendency of extradition proceedings, provided that the

prosecution exercises reasonable diligence to secure his availability;

(B) Any period during which the accused is mentally incompetent to

stand trial or during which his mental competence to stand trial is being

determined, or any period during which the accused is physically incapable

of standing trial;

(C) Any period of delay necessitated by the accused's lack of

counsel, provided that such delay is not occasioned by any lack of diligence
Muskingum County, Case No. CT2018-0035 6

in providing counsel to an indigent accused upon his request as required by

law;

(D) Any period of delay occasioned by the neglect or improper act of

the accused;

(E) Any period of delay necessitated by reason of a plea in bar or

abatement, motion, proceeding, or action made or instituted by the accused;

(F) Any period of delay necessitated by a removal or change of

venue pursuant to law;

(G) Any period during which trial is stayed pursuant to an express

statutory requirement or pursuant to an order of another court competent to

issue such order;

(H) The period of any continuance granted on the accused's own

motion, and the period of any reasonable continuance granted other than

upon the accused's own motion;

(I) Any period during which an appeal filed pursuant to section

2945.67 of the Revised Code is pending.

{¶13} In the case at bar, the state argues that Thacker’s failure to answer the

state’s request for discovery tolled the R.C. 2945.71 time period. [Appellee’s brief at 3].

{¶14} In State v. Palmer, 112 Ohio St.3d 457, 2007-Ohio-374, 860 N.E.2d 1011,

it took the defense 60 days to respond to discovery. In that response, Palmer revealed

that he had nothing to disclose and acknowledged his duty under Crim.R. 16(D) to

supplement his response should that circumstance change. Id. at ¶ 23. The trial court

tolled 30 of those 60 days against Palmer. The appellate court reversed that holding and
Muskingum County, Case No. CT2018-0035 7

reversed Palmer’s conviction. The Supreme Court reversed the appellate court and

reinstated that trial court’s holding. It explained that, “a trial court shall determine the date

by which the defendant should reasonably have responded to a reciprocal discovery

request based on the totality of facts and circumstances of the case, including the time

established for response by local rule, if applicable.” Id. at ¶ 24.

{¶15} In the case at bar, the state filed its discovery request on November 22,

2016. [Docket Number 10]. The next entry on the trial court’s docket is a judgment entry

filed February 2, 2018 setting Thacker’s case for a bench trial on February 13, 2018.

[Docket Number 11].

{¶16} We are not persuaded by the state’s contention that Thacker’s failure to

respond to its discovery request kept the speedy trial clock from ticking. First, the request

was made in November, 2016. There is no indication whatsoever in this record that the

state was delayed in its preparation for trial by Thacker’s failure to respond to its request

for discovery. What is evident in the record is that the delay of 437 days is nearly five

times the 90-day period set forth in R.C. 2945.71(B)(2) in which to bring Thacker’s case

to trial. To hold that 437 days count against Thacker where there is no indication in the

record that the state was delayed in its trial preparations by Thacker’s lack of response,

would be an injustice and not in keeping with the purposes of either speedy trial rights or

discovery. Cf. In re D.S., 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 97757, 2012-Ohio-2213, ¶36.

{¶17} The state argues that the trial court alluded to the reason for the excessive

delay in this case during the February 13, 2018 hearing. (T. Feb. 13, 2018 at 3; 5; 8; 9).

However, Crim.R. 32(C) expressly provides that a judgment in a criminal case “is effective

only when entered on the journal by the clerk.” The rule reflects the axiom that courts
Muskingum County, Case No. CT2018-0035 8

speak only through their journal entries. See State ex rel. White v. Junkin, 80 Ohio St.3d

335, 337, 686 N.E.2d 267, 269(1997); Schenley v. Kauth, 160 Ohio St. 109, 113 N.E.2d

625(1953), paragraph two of the syllabus. Without a journal entry, a decision or finding

of a court has no force or effect. State v. Ronan, 10th Dist. Franklin App. No. 06AP–63,

2007–Ohio–168, ¶ 9.

{¶18} Pursuant to R.C. 2945.72(H), a court may grant a continuance upon its own

initiative as long as it is reasonable. This provision has been interpreted to permit courts

to sua sponte continue an accused’s trial beyond the time limit prescribed by R.C.

2945.71, but only when reasonable and only when the continuances are made by journal

entry prior to the expiration of the time limit. See State v. Lee, 48 Ohio St.2d 208, 357

N.E.2d 1095(1976), and Aurora v. Patrick, 61 Ohio St.2d 107, 15 O.O.3d 150, 399 N.E.2d

1220(1980). In the instant cause, it is uncontroverted that any action of the trial court

under the authority of R.C. 2945.72(H) occurred after the expiration of the statutory period

within which Thacker should have been brought to trial.

{¶19} In State v. Mincy, the Ohio Supreme Court condemned attempts to justify a

continuance beyond the R.C. 2945.71 time limit for trial occurring after the time has

already expired,

This court has previously condemned after-the-fact extension and

does not find it to be a meaningful distinction that appellee’s trial was initially

scheduled within the statutory time limit. The General Assembly has placed

a burden upon the prosecution and the courts to try criminal defendants

within a specified time after arrest. If we were to follow the state’s

reasoning, the only burden upon the prosecution and the courts would be
Muskingum County, Case No. CT2018-0035 9

to assure that a trial is scheduled within the appropriate time limit as long

as it could subsequently be explained why the defendant was not brought

to trial within the statutory time frame. It is obvious such reasoning does

not comport with the purposes of the speedy trial statutes. See State v.

Pudlock (1975), 44 Ohio St.2d 104, 338 N.E.2d 524 [73 O.O.2d 357]; State

v. Siler (1979), 57 Ohio St.2d 1, 384 N.E.2d 710 [11 O.O.3d 1].

2 Ohio St.2d 6, 8, 441 N.E.2d 571 (1982). Therefore, “prior to the expiration of the

statutory time limit [Thacker] was entitled to either, (1). a trial on the charges, or 2). if his

case was being continued by the court or prosecutor, the reason he was not being tried.

Since a court may only speak through its journal, it is necessary that such an entry be

spread upon its journal prior to the expiration of the statutory time limit. See, e.g.,

Andrews v. Bd. of Liquor Control (1955), 164 Ohio St. 275, 131 N.E.2d 390 [58 O.O. 51];

Schenley v. Kauth (1953), 160 Ohio St. 109, 113 N.E.2d 625 [51 O.O. 30].” Mincy, 2 Ohio

St.2d at 8, 441 N.E.2d 571.

{¶20} We therefore hold that because there was no time waiver by Thacker or his

attorney, or a judgment entry setting forth the necessity and reasonableness of the

continuance filed before the expiration of the statutory time period prescribed by R.C.

2945.71 for bringing Thacker to trial, the decision of the trial court overruling Thacker’s

Motion to Dismiss is reversed.

{¶21} Hacker’s sole assignment of error is sustained.

{¶22} Section 3(B) (2), Article IV of the Ohio Constitution gives an appellate court

the power to affirm, reverse, or modify the judgment of an inferior court.
Muskingum County, Case No. CT2018-0035 10

{¶23} The judgment of the Muskingum County Court is reversed. Pursuant to

Section 3(B) (2), Article IV of the Ohio Constitution, Thacker’s convictions and sentences

in this case are vacated, and the case is remanded to the trial court to enter the

appropriate dismissal entries.

By Gwin, P.J.,

Delaney, J., and

Wise, Earle, J., concur