[Cite as State v. Carr, 2016-Ohio-9.]


                                            COURT OF APPEALS
                                           PERRY COUNTY, OHIO
                                        FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT

                                                           JUDGES:
STATE OF OHIO                                      :       Hon. W. Scott Gwin, P.J.
                                                   :       Hon. Patricia A. Delaney, J.
                          Plaintiff-Appellee       :       Hon. Craig R. Baldwin, J.
                                                   :
-vs-                                               :
                                                   :       Case No. 15-CA-00007
ROBERT CARR                                        :
                                                   :
                     Defendant-Appellant           :       OPINION




CHARACTER OF PROCEEDING:                               Criminal appeal from the Perry County
                                                       Court of Common Pleas, Case No. 12-CR-
                                                       0076

JUDGMENT:                                              Affirmed in part; vacated in part; remanded




DATE OF JUDGMENT ENTRY:                                January 4, 2016



APPEARANCES:

For Plaintiff-Appellee                                 For Defendant-Appellant

JOSEPH FLAUTT                                          VALERIE WIGGINS
111 N. High Street                                     107 S. Main St.
New Lexington, OH 43764                                New Lexington, OH 43764
Perry County, Case No. 15-CA-00007                                                          2

Gwin, P.J.

       {¶1}      Appellant Robert Carr [“Carr”] appeals his convictions and sentences after

a jury trial in the Perry County Court of Common Pleas on one count of Illegal Manufacture

of Drugs in violation of R.C. 2925.04 (A) and (C)(3)(a) a felony of the second degree; one

count of Illegal Assembly or Possession of Chemicals for the Manufacture of Drugs, in

violation of R.C. Section 2925.041 (A) and (C) a felony of the third degree; one count of

Aggravated Possession of Drugs, in violation of R.C. Section 2925.11 (A) and (C)(1)(a) a

felony of the fifth degree and one count of Aggravated Trafficking in Drugs, in violation of

R.C. 2925.03 (A)(2) and (C)(1)(a), a felony of the fourth degree.

                                    Facts and Procedural History

       {¶2}      On August 14, 2012, the Perry County Drug Task Force executed a search

warrant on the Carr's home after receiving information that drug activity was being

conducted in the home. During the search, they recovered methamphetamine, and items

indicative of methamphetamine manufacturing activity, including, a baggie containing a

white crystalized substance, which was found on the floor near Carr. Carr admitted that

the substance was his. The substance was tested and determined to be

methamphetamine. The Task Force secured the items and arrested Carr, and several of

his relatives.

       {¶3}      In addition, during the search, multiple plastic bottles were found which had

previously been used in the process of manufacturing methamphetamine. These items

were found after Carr advised the officers that there was a methamphetamine lab in the

upstairs of the home. Two hydrochloric acid gas generators were also found in the

upstairs of the residence.
Perry County, Case No. 15-CA-00007                                                        3


        {¶4}   Carr admitted during his subsequent interview with the police that he had

finished making methamphetamine in the upstairs at around 2:00 a.m. Also found in the

residence was a plastic bottle determined to be the remnants of a "one pot" style lab. This

bottle tested positive for anhydrous ammonia gas. In addition to the bottles and trash from

previously completed labs, the officers found sandwich bags, coffee filters, rubber tubing,

drain cleaner, and Coleman camp fuel. Carr admitted that these items were used in the

methamphetamine manufacturing process. In his interview, Carr provided systematic

instructions for manufacturing methamphetamine.

        {¶5}   On March 27, 2013, a letter from Carr to the Court was filed. The letter

asked the Court to appoint Carr new counsel. At the time the letter was filed, the matter

was scheduled for jury trial on April 11, 2013. A hearing was held on April 2, 2013 and

the trial court denied the request for new counsel.

        {¶6}   On April 10, 2013, Carr filed a Motion for a Continuance. The trial court

denied the motion. On the scheduled jury trial date of April 11, 2013, Carr failed to appear

and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

        {¶7}   Carr was ultimately arrested and the case was scheduled for a status/plea

hearing on May 15, 2014 and jury trial on May 22, 2014. Carr appeared before the Court

on May 15, 2014, rejected the plea offer and advised the Court that he desired to proceed

to trial.

        {¶8}   On May 22, 2014, the matter proceeded to trial before a jury with the jury

returning guilty verdicts on all four counts.

        {¶9}   On June 16, 2014, Carr was sentenced to five years imprisonment, a

$7,500.00 fine and a two years driver's license suspension on the charge of Illegal
Perry County, Case No. 15-CA-00007                                                   4


Manufacture of Drugs; 24-months imprisonment, a $1,000.00 fine and a six month driver's

license suspension on the charge of Illegal Assembly or Possession of Chemical for the

Manufacture of Drugs; and 6-months imprisonment, a $1,000.00 fine and a six month

driver's license suspension on the charge of Aggravated Trafficking in Drugs. The Court

merged the charge of Aggravated Possession of Drugs with the charge of Illegal

Manufacture of Drugs. All periods of imprisonment were ordered to be served

concurrently and all driver's license suspensions were ordered to be served

consecutively.

                                    Assignments of Error

      {¶10} Carr raises three assignments of error,

      {¶11} “I. THE TRIAL COURT VIOLATED THE DEFENDANT'S SIXTH

AMENDMENT RIGHTS WHEN IT ERRONEOUSLY DENIED THE DEFENDANT'S

REQUEST FOR NEW COUNSEL.

      {¶12} “II. THE TRIAL COURT ERRED AS A MATTER OF LAW BY FAILING TO

MERGE COUNT 1, ILLEGAL MANUFACTURING (R.C. §2925.04) AND COUNT 2,

ILLEGAL ASSEMBLY (R.C. §2925.041) AS ALLIED OFFENSES OF SIMILAR IMPORT.

      {¶13} “III. TRIAL COUNSEL PROVIDED INEFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE TO THE

APPELLANT WHICH RESULTED IN PREJUDICE.”

                                              I.

      {¶14} In his first assignment of error, Carr argues the trial court erred by not

allowing him to discharge his court-appointed counsel.

      {¶15} The right to competent counsel does not require that a criminal defendant

develop and share a "meaningful relationship" with his attorney. Morris v. Slappy, 461
Perry County, Case No. 15-CA-00007                                                           5

U.S. 1, 13, 103 S.Ct. 1610, 1617, 75 L.Ed.2d 610(1983); State v. Blankenship, 102 Ohio

App.3d 534, 657 N.E.2d 559 12 Dist. 1995); State v. Burroughs, 5th Dist. Delaware No.

04CAC03018, 2004-Ohio-4769, ¶ 11.

       {¶16} In the context of reviewing a claim by the defendant that the trial court

abused its discretion by overruling the defendant’s request to discharge court appointed

counsel and to substitute new counsel for the defendant the courts have taken the

approach that the defendant must show a complete breakdown in communication in order

to warrant a reversal of the trial court’s decision. In State v. Cowans, 87 Ohio St.3d 68,

1999-Ohio-250, 717 N.E.2d 298(1999) the Court noted: “[e]ven if counsel had explored

plea options based on a belief that Cowans might be guilty, counsel's belief in their client's

guilt is not good cause for substitution. “‘A lawyer has a duty to give the accused an honest

appraisal of his case. * * * Counsel has a duty to be candid; he has no duty to be optimistic

when the facts do not warrant optimism.'” Brown v. United States, 264 F.2d 363,

369(D.C.1959), (en banc), quoted in McKee v. Harris (2nd Cir. 1981), 649 F.2d 927, 932.

“‘If the rule were otherwise, appointed counsel could be replaced for doing little more than

giving their clients honest advice.'” McKee, 649 F.2d at 932, quoting McKee v. Harris, 485

F.Supp. 866, 869(S.D.N.Y. 1980).” Id. at 73, 717 N.E.2d at 304-305.

       {¶17} In a similar vein, it has been held that hostility, tension, or personal conflicts

between an attorney and a client that do not interfere with the preparation or presentation

of a competent defense are insufficient to justify a change in appointed counsel. See State

v. Henness, 79 Ohio St.3d 53, 65-66, 679 N.E.2d 686(1997). Furthermore, "[m]erely

because appointed counsel's trial tactics or approach may vary from that which appellant

views as prudent is not sufficient to warrant the substitution of counsel." State v. Glasure,
Perry County, Case No. 15-CA-00007                                                         6

132 Ohio App.3d 227, 239, 724 N.E.2d 1165(7th Dist. 1999); State v. Evans (2003), 153

Ohio App.3d 226, 235-36, 2003-Ohio-3475, ¶31, 792 N.E.2d 757,764(7th Dist.); State v.

Newland, 4th Dist. No. 02CA2666, 2003-Ohio-3230, ¶11.

       {¶18} A defendant has no constitutional right to determine trial tactics and strategy

of counsel. State v. Cowans, 87 Ohio St.3d 68, 72, 717 N.E.2d 298(1999); State v.

Conway, 108 Ohio St.3d 214, 2006-Ohio-791, 842 N.E.2d 996, ¶ 150; State v. Donkers,

170 Ohio App.3d 509, 867 N.E.2d 903, 2007-Ohio-1557, ¶ 183(11th Dist.). Rather,

decisions about viable defenses are the exclusive domain of defense counsel after

consulting with the defendant. Id. When there is no demonstration that counsel failed to

research the facts or the law or that counsel was ignorant of a crucial defense, a reviewing

court defers to counsel's judgment in the matter. State v. Clayton, 62 Ohio St.2d 45, 49,

402 N.E.2d 1189(1980), citing People v. Miller, 7 Cal.3d 562, 573-574, 102 Cal.Rptr. 841,

498 P.2d 1089(1972); State v. Wiley, 10th Dist. No. 03AP-340, 2004- Ohio-1008 at ¶ 21.

       {¶19} Carr has not established that such a breakdown occurred to warrant

appointment of new counsel. Indeed, our review of the record indicates appellant's

counsel was thoroughly prepared.

       {¶20} During the April 2, 2013 hearing on Carr’s motion to discharge appointed

counsel, Carr informed the trial court that he was attempting to hire counsel to represent

him. T. Apr. 2, 2013 at 5. He further informed the court he was attempting to raise money

to hire counsel. Id. at 12. The state placed the plea offer on the record. Id. at 14-16. Carr

rejected the state’s offer. Id. at 14; 16.

       {¶21} Carr’s attorney forwarded copies of discovery to him on January 8, 2013.

Id. at 6. Defense counsel cleared up Carr’s confusion about the video evidence. Id. at 5-
Perry County, Case No. 15-CA-00007                                                          7


6. Counsel discussed the case with Carr on the telephone. Id. at 7. Counsel relayed the

state’s plea offers to Carr. Id.

       {¶22} Carr’s jury trial did not commence until over one-year later on May 22, 2014.

Carr did not renew his request for new counsel prior to the start or during his trial.

       {¶23} The most damning evidence in the case at bar, was Carr’s confession given

after being properly advised of his right to counsel.

       {¶24} Upon a complete and thorough review of the record in this case we find Carr

has failed to establish a breakdown in attorney-client relationship of such magnitude as

to jeopardize defendant's right to effective assistance of counsel. State v. Coleman, 37

Ohio St.3d 286, 292, 525 N.E.2d 782, 788-789(1988).

       {¶25} Carr’s first assignment of error is overruled.

                                                 II.

       {¶26} In his second assignment of error, Carr argues that the trial court erred by

failing to merge his conviction for illegal manufacture of methamphetamine with his

conviction for assembly or possession of chemical used in the manufacturing of

methamphetamine.

       {¶27} In this case, Carr failed to object to his sentences in the trial court. In State

v. Rogers, the Ohio Supreme Court recently examined a case where the defendant was

convicted of multiple offenses pursuant to a guilty plea. State v. Rogers, 143 Ohio St.3d

385, 2015–Ohio–2459, 38 N.E.3d 860. The defendant appealed and argued for the first

time on appeal that some of the convictions should have merged for sentencing. Id. at ¶

11. The matter was certified as a conflict and presented to the Ohio Supreme Court. In

making its decision, the Court clarified the difference between waiver and forfeiture as it
Perry County, Case No. 15-CA-00007                                                             8


pertains to allied offenses. Id. at ¶19–21. The Court rejected the argument that by entering

a guilty plea to offenses that could be construed to be two or more allied offenses of

similar import, the accused waives the protection against multiple punishments under

R.C. 2941.25. Id. at ¶ 19. The Court held that an accused's failure to seek the merger of

his or her convictions as allied offenses of similar import in the trial court, the accused

forfeits his or her allied offenses claim for appellate review. Id. at ¶ 21. “[F]orfeiture is the

failure to timely assert a right or object to an error, and * * * ‘it is a well-established rule

that “an appellate court will not consider any error which counsel for a party complaining

of the trial court's judgment could have called but did not call to the trial court's attention

at a time when such error could have been avoided or corrected by the trial court.” Id. at

¶ 21.

        {¶28} The accused may raise a forfeited claim on appeal through Crim.R. 52(B).

Pursuant to Crim.R. 52(B), “plain errors or defects affecting substantial rights may be

noticed although they were not brought to the attention of the court.” The Court held in

Rogers:

               An accused's failure to raise the issue of allied offenses of similar

        import in the trial court forfeits all but plain error, and a forfeited error is not

        reversible error unless it affected the outcome of the proceeding and

        reversal is necessary to correct a manifest miscarriage of justice.

        Accordingly, an accused has the burden to demonstrate a reasonable

        probability that the convictions are for allied offenses of similar import

        committed with the same conduct and without a separate animus; absent

        that showing, the accused cannot demonstrate that the trial court's failure
Perry County, Case No. 15-CA-00007                                                     9


       to inquire whether the convictions merge for purposes of sentencing was

       plain error.

2015–Ohio–2459, ¶3. The Court in Rogers reaffirmed that even if an accused shows the

trial court committed plain error affecting the outcome of the proceeding, the appellate

court is not required to correct it. Id. at ¶ 23. The Supreme Court stated:

              [W]e have “admonish[ed] courts to notice plain error ‘with the utmost

       caution, under exceptional circumstances and only to prevent a manifest

       miscarriage of justice.’”(Emphasis added.) Barnes at 27, 759 N.E.2d 1240,

       quoting State v. Long, 53 Ohio St.2d 91, 372 N.E.2d 804 (1978), paragraph

       three of the syllabus.

Rogers at ¶23.

       {¶29} R.C. 2941.25, Multiple counts states:

              (A) Where the same conduct by defendant can be construed to

       constitute two or more allied offenses of similar import, the indictment or

       information may contain counts for all such offenses, but the defendant may

       be convicted of only one.

              (B) Where the defendant’s conduct constitutes two or more offenses

       of dissimilar import, or where his conduct results in two or more offenses of

       the same or similar kind committed separately or with a separate animus as

       to each, the indictment or information may contain counts for all such

       offenses, and the defendant may be convicted of all of them.

       {¶30} In State v. Ruff, 143 Ohio St.3d 114, 2015-Ohio-995, 34 N.E.2d 892, the

Ohio Supreme Court revised its allied-offense jurisprudence,
Perry County, Case No. 15-CA-00007                                                    10


             1. In determining whether offenses are allied offenses of similar

      import within the meaning of R.C. 2941.25, courts must evaluate three

      separate factors-the conduct, the animus, and the import.

             2. Two or more offenses of dissimilar import exist within the meaning

      of R.C. 2941.25(B) when the defendant’s conduct constitutes offenses

      involving separate victims or if the harm that results from each offense is

      separate and identifiable.

      {¶31} Ruff, at syllabus. The Court further explained,

             A trial court and the reviewing court on appeal when considering

      whether there are allied offenses that merge into a single conviction under

      R.C. 2941.25(A) must first take into account the conduct of the defendant.

      In other words, how were the offenses committed? If any of the following is

      true, the offenses cannot merge and the defendant may be convicted and

      sentenced for multiple offenses: (1) the offenses are dissimilar in import or

      significance—in other words, each offense caused separate, identifiable

      harm, (2) the offenses were committed separately, and (3) the offenses

      were committed with separate animus or motivation.

                                          ***

             An affirmative answer to any of the above will permit separate

      convictions. The conduct, the animus, and the import must all be

      considered.

      {¶32} Carr was convicted of one count of illegal manufacture of drugs in violation

of R.C. 2924.04,
Perry County, Case No. 15-CA-00007                                                              11


               (A) No person shall knowingly cultivate marihuana or knowingly

       manufacture or otherwise engage in any part of the production of a

       controlled substance.

       {¶33} Carr was also convicted of one count of illegal assembly or possession of

chemicals used to manufacture controlled substance with intent to manufacture controlled

substance in violation of R.C. 2925.041,

               (A) No person shall knowingly assemble or possess one or more

       chemicals that may be used to manufacture a controlled substance in

       schedule I or II with the intent to manufacture a controlled substance in

       schedule I or II in violation of section 2925.04 of the Revised Code.

       {¶34} In the case at bar, it was clear when the police entered the home that

methamphetamine had been manufactured inside the home. Carr admitted to

manufacturing methamphetamine.

       {¶35} Plastic tubing, baggies, envelopes, plastic bottles, batteries, cold compact

bags, aquarium rocks and coffee filters are not “chemicals” as required under R.C.

2925.041. None of the active ingredient such as pseudoephedrine1 was found; rather,

only the discarded boxes were recovered from the trash. In his statement to the police,

Carr stated that other parties provided the necessary ingredients.

       {¶36} Just as a baker would need flour to “assemble” or “manufacture” a cake, it

is scientifically impossible to manufacture methamphetamine without the raw chemical

ingredients, such as pseudoephedrine. In other words, every time a person commences

a “cook” he or she must necessarily possess the requisite raw chemical ingredients


       1 Pseudoephedrine is a decongestant ingredient in many medications used for the treatment of
colds and nasal decongestant, such as Sudafed.
Perry County, Case No. 15-CA-00007                                                    12


necessary to manufacture the end product of crystal methamphetamine. Thus, a

defendant must always “knowingly assemble or possess one or more chemicals that may

be used to manufacture” methamphetamine with the “intent to manufacture.”

      {¶37} If the police had entered the home and found, for example, 50 boxes of

pseudoephedrine and nothing more, a case could be made for illegal assembly. It is not

illegal to possess pseudoephedrine, but the unexplained possession of such a large

amount would be circumstantial evidence. If the state can establish the mens rea of “with

the intent to manufacture” a defendant can be convicted of assembly or possession in

violation of R.C. 2925.041.

      {¶38} Applying the facts and viewing Carr's conduct in this case, illegal

manufacture of drugs in violation of R.C. 2924.04 and illegal assembly or possession of

chemicals used to manufacture controlled substance with intent to manufacture controlled

substance in violation of R.C. 2925.041 did not cause separate, identifiable harm. Carr

did not commit the offenses separately nor were the two offenses committed with

separate animus or motivation.     Carr’s motivation and animus for obtaining and/or

assembling the chemicals was to manufacture methamphetamine.

      {¶39} Accordingly, we find the assembly or possession of the chemicals and the

manufacture of methamphetamine are allied offenses. Accord, State v. Coleman, 5th Dist.

Richland No. 14-CA-82, 2015-Ohio-3907, ¶52; See, State v. Davidson, 5th Dist. Perry

No. 12 CA 7, 2013-Ohio-194, ¶47(applying the pre-Ruff allied offenses test set forth in

State v. Johnson, 128 Ohio St.3d 153, 2010–Ohio–6314); State v. Stevenson, 5th Dist.

Perry No. 09CA16, 2010–Ohio–2060, ¶ 32 (applying the pre-Ruff allied offenses test set

forth in State v. Cabrales, 118 Ohio St.3d 54, 886 N.E.2d 181, 2008–Ohio–1625 and
Perry County, Case No. 15-CA-00007                                                      13


finding the possession of chemicals and the engagement in any part of the production of

drugs are allied offenses that do not have a separate animus); State v. Collins, 12th Dist.

Clinton Nos. CA2010–12–021, CA2010–12–022, 2012–Ohio–430 (applying the pre-Ruff

allied offenses test set forth in State v. Johnson, 128 Ohio St.3d 153, 2010–Ohio–6314).

       {¶40} In State v. Damron, 129 Ohio St.3d 86, 2011–Ohio–2268, 950 N.E.2d 512,

the Ohio Supreme Court noted,

               When a defendant has been found guilty of offenses that are allied

       offenses, R.C. 2941.25 prohibits the imposition of multiple sentences.

       Whitfield, 124 Ohio St.3d 319, 2010–Ohio–2, 922 N.E.2d 182, at ¶ 12.

       Therefore, a trial court must merge the crimes into a single conviction and

       impose a sentence that is appropriate for the offense chosen for sentencing.

       State v. Brown, 119 Ohio St.3d 447, 2008–Ohio–4569, 895 N.E.2d 149, at

       ¶ 41–43. In this case, the sentencing court found Damron guilty of both

       offenses and sentenced him on both. The imposition of concurrent

       sentences is not the equivalent of merging allied offenses.

Id. at ¶ 17.

       {¶41} The Court in State v. Whitfield, 124 Ohio St.3d 319, 2010–Ohio–2, held,

               If, upon appeal, a court of appeals finds reversible error in the

       imposition of multiple punishments for allied offenses, the court must

       reverse the judgment of conviction and remand for a new sentencing

       hearing at which the state must elect which allied offense it will pursue

       against the defendant. On remand, trial courts must address any double

       jeopardy protections that benefit the defendant...
Perry County, Case No. 15-CA-00007                                                     14

Whitfield, supra at ¶ 25.

       {¶42} In cases in which the imposition of multiple punishments is at issue, R.C.

2941.25(A)’s mandate that a defendant may only be “convicted” of one allied offense is a

protection against multiple sentences rather than multiple convictions. See, e.g., Ohio v.

Johnson, 467 U.S. 493, 498, 104 S.Ct. 2536, 81 L.Ed.2d 425(1984). A defendant may be

indicted and tried for allied offenses of similar import, but may be sentenced on only one

of the allied offenses. State v. Brown, 119 Ohio St.3d 447, 2008–Ohio–4569, 895 N.E.2d

149, ¶ 42. Because R.C. 2941.25(A) protects a defendant only from being punished for

allied offenses, the determination of the defendant’s guilt for committing allied offenses

remains intact, both before and after the merger of allied offenses for sentencing. State

v. Whitfield, 124 Ohio St .3d 319, 2010–Ohio–2, 922 N.E.2d 182, ¶ 27. Thus, the trial

court should not vacate or dismiss the guilt determination on each count. Id. Pursuant to

Damron, the imposition of concurrent sentences is not the equivalent of merging allied

offenses.

       {¶43} On the record in the case at bar, we find that Carr has demonstrated that

he was convicted of allied offenses of similar import committed with the same conduct

and with the same animus.

       {¶44} Pursuant to Whitfield, supra, the sentences are vacated and the matter is

remanded to the trial court for resentencing where the state must elect the offense for

which appellant should be punished.

       {¶45} Carr’s second assignment of error is sustained.
Perry County, Case No. 15-CA-00007                                                       15


                                                  III.

       {¶46} In his third assignment of error, Carr argues that he received ineffective

assistance of counsel because he did not meet face to face with Carr.

       {¶47} 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. Lockhart v. Fretwell, 506 U.S. 364, 113 S.Ct. 838, 122

L.Ed.2d 180(1993); Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 104 S.Ct. 2052, 80 L.Ed.2d

674(1984); State v. Bradley, 42 Ohio St.3d 136, 538 N.E.2d 373(1989).

       {¶48} Counsel is unconstitutionally ineffective if his performance is both deficient,

meaning his errors are “so serious” that he no longer functions as “counsel,” and

prejudicial, meaning his errors deprive the defendant of a fair trial. Maryland v. Kulbicki,

577 U.S. __, 2015 WL 5774453(Oct. 5, 2015) (citing Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S.

668, 687, 104 S.Ct. 2052, 80 L.Ed.2d 674 (1984)).

       {¶49} In the case at bar, Carr’s allegations that counsel did not meet with him

occurred April 2, 2013; however, Carr’s jury trial did not commence until May 22, 2014.

Carr did not renew his claim prior to the start of his jury trial in 2014.

       {¶50} An appellant must demonstrate that he suffered prejudice from his counsel's

performance. See Strickland, 466 U.S. at 691 (“An error by counsel, even if professionally

unreasonable, does not warrant setting aside the judgment of a criminal proceeding if the

error had no effect on the judgment”). To establish prejudice, “[t]he defendant must show

that there is a reasonable probability that, but for counsel's unprofessional errors, the
Perry County, Case No. 15-CA-00007                                                      16


result of the proceeding would have been different. A reasonable probability is a

probability sufficient to undermine confidence in the outcome.” Id. at 694. To prevail on

his ineffective-assistance claim, an appellant must show, therefore, that there is a

“reasonable probability” that the trier of fact would not have found him guilty.

       {¶51} Carr has failed to establish that he suffered prejudice because of the failure

of counsel to meet with him face-to-face. Specifically Carr does not provide this Court

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

met with him, rather than communicating by telephone. Counsel relayed the state’s plea

negotiations. Carr rejected those offers. Carr’s taped confession was admitted into

evidence and played for the jury.

       {¶52} We find no errors rising to the level of Bradley and Strickland nor any

deficiency in trial counsel's performance that deprived Carr of a fair trial.

       {¶53} Carr’s third assignment of error is overruled.
Perry County, Case No. 15-CA-00007                                                      17


      {¶54} Accordingly, the judgment of the Perry County Court of Common Pleas is

affirmed, in part and vacated, in part. In accordance with the Ohio Supreme Court’s

decision in State v. Whitfield, 124 Ohio St .3d 319, 2010–Ohio–2, 922 N.E.2d 182, we

remand this case to the trial court for further proceedings consistent with that opinion.

This decision in no way affects the guilty verdicts issued by the jury. It only affects the

entry of conviction and sentence. Carr’s convictions are affirmed.


By Gwin, P.J.,

Delaney, J., and

Baldwin, J., concur
