[Cite as State v. Huston,
2018-Ohio-2818.]
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS
TWELFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT OF OHIO
CLINTON COUNTY
STATE OF OHIO, :
Plaintiff-Appellee, : CASE NO. CA2017-08-012
: OPINION
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:
GEORGE S. HUSTON, :
Defendant-Appellant. :
CRIMINAL APPEAL FROM CLINTON COUNTY COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
Case No. CRI 16-500-300
Richard W. Moyer, Clinton County Prosecuting Attorney, Lindsey M. Fleissner, 103 East
Main Street, Wilmington, OH 45177, for plaintiff-appellee
Craig A. Newburger, 477 Forest Edge Drive, South Lebanon, OH 45065, for defendant-appellant
S. POWELL, P.J.
{¶ 1} Defendant-appellant, George S. Huston, appeals from his conviction in the
Clinton County Court of Common Pleas after he pled no contest to single counts of burglary
and attempted aggravated arson. For the reasons outlined below, we reverse in part and
remand this matter to the trial court to issue the necessary nunc pro tunc judgment entries
to correct the clerical errors in the trial court's applicable judgment entries of plea and
Clinton CA2017-08-012
sentence. In all other respects, we affirm the trial court.
{¶ 2} On October 4, 2016, two complaints were filed with the Clinton County
Municipal Court charging Huston with burglary and attempted aggravated arson, both third-
degree felonies. As it relates to the complaint charging Huston with attempted aggravated
arson, the complaint stated the following:
Complainant being duly sworn states that George Sam Huston
at 1079 SR 134 S Wilmington, Clinton County, Ohio on or about
October 03, 2016, did purposely or knowingly and with sufficient
culpability for commission of a violation of Section 2909.02A2 of
the Revised Code engage in conduct that if successful would
constitute or result in a violation of Section 2909.02A2 of the
Revised Code; to wit Aggravated Arson (did by means of fire or
explosion knowingly cause physical harm to 1079 SR 134 South
and [sic] occupied structure).
{¶ 3} Attached to the complaint was an affidavit in support authored by Patrol
Officer Anthony Mitchell of the Wilmington Police Department. As part of this affidavit,
Officer Mitchell stated he was dispatched to a home located on State Route 134 where he
noticed the glass front door shattered and Huston sitting on the porch with "blood all over
him." Officer Mitchell also noticed Huston had two bottles of alcohol, specifically "a bottle
of Not Your Father's Root Beer and Zabu Nore D'avola Red Wine." Investigating the matter
further, Officer Mitchell averred that a check of the home led to the discovery of tiki torch oil
splattered on the front porch, kitchen, and mud room areas. Continuing, Officer Mitchell
averred:
Huston was advised of his rights per-miranda [sic] and asked
about the incident. Huston advised Darlene asked him to come
in. So he walked through the front door and left with a bottle of
wine. Detective Riley arrived on scene and processed the
scene. A piece of Huston's shirt was located near the mud room
covered in the Tiki Torch fluid. There was also a light[er] located
next to the shirt. Upon further investigation, units observed the
shirt had been on fire. There were marks observed along the
bottom of the door and up the door jam of the mud room.
{¶ 4} Officer Mitchell stated that after conferring with the Clinton County
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Prosecutor's Office, Huston was arrested and transported to the Clinton County Jail where
he was booked on charges of burglary and attempted aggravated arson.
{¶ 5} On October 24, 2016, the Clinton County Grand Jury returned an indictment
charging Huston with the same burglary and attempted aggravated arson offenses alleged
in the complaint previously filed with the Clinton County Municipal Court. As relevant to this
appeal, the portion of the indictment charging Huston with attempted aggravated arson
stated the following:
THE JURORS OF THE GRAND JURY of the State of Ohio,
within and for the body of the County aforesaid, on their oaths,
in the name and by the authority of the State of Ohio, do find
and present that on or about the 3rd day of October, 2016, at
Clinton County, Ohio, George S. Huston, did knowingly and with
sufficient culpability for commission of a violation of Aggravated
Arson in violation of Section 2909.02(A)(2) of the Ohio Revised
Code, engage in conduct that, if successful, would constitute or
result in a violation of Aggravated Arson in violation of Section
2909.02(A)(2) of the Ohio Revised Code, in violation of Title 29,
Sections 2923.02(A) of the Ohio Revised Code (Attempted
Aggravated Arson, a felony of the third degree) and against the
peace and dignity of the State of Ohio.
(Emphasis sic.)
{¶ 6} On November 8, 2016, Huston appeared at his arraignment hearing and
entered a plea of not guilty to both the burglary and attempted aggravated arson charges.
Several months later, on June 6, 2017, Huston appeared before the trial court for a change
of plea hearing. At this hearing, the trial court reviewed the change of plea form signed by
Huston, wherein Huston agreed to enter a plea of no contest to both the burglary and
attempted aggravated arson charges. As part of this review, the trial court informed Huston
of the rights he would be giving up by entering a plea of no contest, including the fact that
he would be pleading no contest to burglary and attempted aggravated arson as charged.
The trial court also informed Huston that by pleading no contest as opposed to guilty that
"could or could not have some impact on sentencing because you're not acknowledging
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responsibility, that is one of the factors the Court looks at in terms of remorse." The trial
court, however, noted that "there," meaning the sentencing hearing, Huston would be "able
to explain extenuating circumstances … that may be helpful to you."
{¶ 7} Following this review, the trial court asked Huston if there was anything that
he did not understand, including the nature of the charges levied against him. Huston
replied, "No, sir." Upon Huston informing the trial court that he did not have any questions
regarding the nature of the charges against him, nor any questions regarding the maximum
penalty he faced, the state then recited the following facts as it relates to the attempted
aggravated arson charge:
Finally, on the 3rd day of October, this defendant did knowingly
– or did with sufficient culpability in the commission of a violation
of aggravated arson in violation of 2909.02(A)(2) of the Ohio
Revised Code did engage in conduct that if successful would
constitute or result in a violation of aggravated arson.
{¶ 8} After the state's recitation of the facts, the trial court asked Huston if he heard
the facts as alleged by the state. Huston replied, "Yes, sir." The trial court then asked
Huston if he was "willing to admit those facts are true in the no contest plea?" Huston again
replied, "Yes, sir." Admitting the facts alleged by the state as true, the trial court accepted
Huston's no contest plea and found Huston guilty as charged upon finding Huston had
entered his no contest plea knowingly, intelligently, and voluntarily. Although the record is
clear that Huston entered a plea of no contest, the trial court thereafter issued a judgment
entry of plea indicating Huston had pled guilty, not Huston's actual plea of no contest.
{¶ 9} On July 20, 2017, the trial court held a sentencing hearing and sentenced
Huston to serve a total of 54 months in prison. The trial court also ordered Huston to pay
restitution and court costs and notified Huston that he would be subject to an optional three-
year postrelease control term. Again, although the record is clear that Huston entered a
plea of no contest, the trial court issued a judgment entry of sentence, which the trial court
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thereafter twice amended, again indicating Huston had pled guilty, not Huston's actual plea
of no contest.
{¶ 10} Huston now appeals from his conviction, raising two assignments of error for
review.
{¶ 11} Assignment of Error No. 1:
{¶ 12} THE TRIAL COURT ERRED TO THE PREJUDICE OF APPELLANT BY
STATING APPELLANT ENTERED PLEAS OF GUILTY ON THE JUDGMENT ENTRY OF
GUILTY AND JUDGMENT ENTRY OF SENTENCE.
{¶ 13} In his first assignment of error, Huston correctly notes the trial court improperly
stated in its judgment entries of plea and sentence that he pled guilty, not his actual plea of
no contest. Huston requests this court reverse and remand this matter to the trial court to
issue nunc pro tunc judgment entries of plea and sentence to correct this clerical error. The
state agrees this matter should be reversed and remanded so the trial court can issue the
necessary nunc pro tunc judgment entries as Huston suggests. We also agree. See, e.g.,
State v. Wright, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 26471, 2015-Ohio-3919, ¶ 46 (remanding to the
trial court for correction of termination entry indicating appellant pled guilty rather than his
actual plea of no contest); State v. Smith, 10th Dist. Franklin No. 13AP-592, 2014-Ohio-
712, ¶ 7 (remanding to the trial court for correct designation of plea that had actually
occurred). Therefore, Huston's first assignment of error is sustained. On remand, the trial
court shall issue the necessary nunc pro tunc judgment entries to correct the clerical errors
in the trial court's applicable judgment entries of plea and sentence to note Huston pled no
contest.
{¶ 14} Assignment of Error No. 2:
{¶ 15} THE TRIAL COURT ERRED TO THE PREJUDICE OF APPELLANT BY
FINDING APPELLANT GUILTY OF COUNT II [ATTEMPTED AGGRAVATED ARSON]
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BASED UPON STATE'S DEFECTIVE INDICTMENT AND RECITATION OF FACTS.
{¶ 16} In his second assignment of error, Huston argues the trial court erred by
finding him guilty of attempted aggravated arson when such a finding was in violation of
both Crim.R. 7(B) and 11(C)(2)(a). Specifically, Huston argues a review of the indictment
and the trial transcript of his plea hearing indicates the trial court did not provide him "notice
of the nature of the charge in Count II [attempted aggravated arson] sufficient to meet the
requirements of Criminal Rules 11 and 7." We disagree.
{¶ 17} Huston initially argues the trial court erred by finding him guilty in violation of
Crim.R. 7(B) because the portion of the indictment charging him with attempted aggravated
arson "does not state with particularity any element of the offense the State would be
required to prove at trial." However, as a simple review of the record reveals, the indictment
specifically referenced both R.C. 2909.02(A)(2) and 2923.02(A) and tracked the necessary
statutory language to properly bring a charge of attempted aggravated arson. "[A]n
indictment that tracks the language of the charged offense, that identifies an underlying
offense by reference to the statute number, such as the case here, is not defective for it
provides the defendant with adequate notice of the charges pending against him." State v.
Clements, 12th Dist. Butler No. CA2009-11-277, 2010-Ohio-4801, ¶ 9. Therefore, contrary
to Huston's claim otherwise, "[a]n indictment is not 'required to list the precise actions which
constitute an offense.'" State v. Kolvek, 9th Dist. Summit Nos. 28141 thru 28145, 2017-
Ohio-9137, ¶ 5, quoting State v. Brust, 4th Dist. Pike No. 95CA551,
1995 Ohio App. LEXIS
5681, *18 (Nov. 20, 1995). If Huston wanted to know the specific conduct alleged to support
the attempted aggravated arson charge, Huston could have requested a bill of particulars.
There is no bill of particulars in this case.
{¶ 18} Huston also argues the portion of the indictment charging him with attempted
aggravated arson was defective because it "referred only to Clinton County," and not the
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specific address of the home that he attempted to burn down. However, the fact that that
portion of the indictment referred only to "Clinton County" is of no consequence and fully
complies with the requirements of R.C. 2941.03(D), which provides that "[a]n indictment or
information is sufficient if it can be understood therefrom … [t]hat an offense was
committed at some place within the jurisdiction of the court[.]" See, e.g., State v. Syed, 9th
Dist. Medina Nos. 17CA0013-M and 17CA0014-M, 2018-Ohio-1438, ¶ 46 (finding sufficient
an indictment listing the location where the crime occurred as "Medina County"). "Such a
statement as to the location where a crime occurred is entirely sufficient." State v. Brust,
4th Dist. Pike No. 95CA551,
1995 Ohio App. LEXIS 5681, *18 (Nov. 20, 1995), citing R.C.
2941.03(D). Therefore, because the portion of the indictment charging Huston with
attempted aggravated arson complied with the requirements of Crim.R. 7(B), Huston's first
argument is without merit.
{¶ 19} Huston next argues the trial court erred by finding him guilty in violation of
Crim.R. 11(C)(2)(a), which, as relevant here, prohibits a trial court from accepting a no
contest plea without first addressing the defendant personally and "[d]etermining that the
defendant is making the plea voluntarily, with understanding of the nature of the charges
and of the maximum penalty involved[.]" As previously noted by this court, in order for a
trial court to determine that a defendant is entering a plea with an understanding of the
nature of the charge, "[t]he trial court need not advise the defendant of the elements of the
crimes; rather, it is sufficient if the totality of the circumstances warrant the trial court in
making a determination the defendant understands the charges." State v. Goens, 12th Dist.
Butler No. CA2005-06-174, ¶ 10; State v. Singh, 141 Ohio App.3d 137, 141 (11th
Dist.2000), citing State v. Rainey,
3 Ohio App.3d 441, 442 (10th Dist.1982).
{¶ 20} After a thorough review of the record, we find the trial court went to great
lengths to ensure Huston was entering his no contest plea knowingly, intelligently, and
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voluntarily with a full understanding of the nature of the charge at issue, attempted
aggravated arson, and the maximum possible penalty involved. This included a detailed
line-by-line review of the change of plea form Huston admittedly reviewed and signed after
consulting with his attorney. Huston never indicated he did not understand the nature of
the charge against him, nor is there anything in the record to indicate Huston did not so
understand. Rather, as the record indicates, Huston acknowledged that he understood the
charges, that he had gone over "everything" with his trial counsel, and that he would "just
like to get this stuff over with" by entering his no contest plea.
{¶ 21} "Appellate courts have found that trial courts substantially complied with their
duty to determine that the defendant understands the charge in a wide variety of ways. For
example, if the indictment is read into the record, substantial compliance can be shown."
Goens at ¶ 13. Again, as the state noted on the record during the plea hearing regarding
the attempted aggravated arson charge:
Finally, on the 3rd day of October, this defendant did knowingly
– or did with sufficient culpability in the commission of a violation
of aggravated arson in violation of 2909.02(A)(2) of the Ohio
Revised Code did engage in conduct that if successful would
constitute or result in a violation of aggravated arson.
{¶ 22} This language, albeit more concise, mirrors that of the indictment charging
Huston with attempted aggravated arson, thereby establishing substantial compliance with
Crim.R. 11(C)(2)(a) requiring the trial court to determine Huston understood the nature of
the charges levied against him. Huston's argument to the contrary lacks merit.
{¶ 23} Although not separately argued as part of his brief, see App.R. 12(A)(2),
Huston states as part of this assignment of error that the trial court erred by finding him
guilty due to a "defective indictment and recitation of facts." As noted above, we find the
indictment in this case is in no way defective. Moreover, contrary to Huston's claim
otherwise, "if the charging instrument stated facts constituting a crime," such as the case
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here, "the absence of a recitation of these operative facts during the plea colloquy is not
fatal to the state." State v. Bowsher, 116 Ohio App.3d 170, 172 (6th Dist.1996). That is
exactly what occurred here. That is because, as this court has stated previously, "an
indictment that tracks the language of the charged offense, that identifies an underlying
offense by reference to the statute number, such as the case here, is not defective for it
provides the defendant with adequate notice of the charges pending against him." State v.
Clements, 12th Dist. Butler No. CA2009-11-277,
2010-Ohio-4801, ¶ 9.
{¶ 24} In so holding, we note that "[a]lthough best practice might include a recitation
of the circumstances of the offense, Crim. R. 11(C)(2)(a) merely requires that the trial court
determine that the defendant who is tendering a plea of guilty or no contest understands
the nature of the charge or charges to which he is pleading." State v. Kruger, 2d Dist. Miami
No. 2005-CA-19, 2006-Ohio-2361, ¶ 41. Nothing in the record indicates Huston did not
understand the nature of the charge at issue here. This is particularly true here when
considering the affidavit in support of the complaint filed with the with the Clinton County
Municipal Court, which, as noted above, contained the following as it relates to the
underlying facts giving rise to the attempted aggravated arson charge:
While checking the residence there was Tiki Torch fluid
observed on the floor of the front porch, kitchen, and mud room
areas. Huston was advised of his rights per-miranda [sic] and
asked about the incident. Huston advised Darlene asked him to
come in. So he walked through the front door and left with a
bottle of wine. Detective Riley arrived on scene and processed
the scene. A piece of Huston's shirt was located near the mud
room covered in the Tiki Torch fluid. There was also a light[er]
located next to the shirt. Upon further investigation, units
observed the shirt had been on fire. There were marks
observed a long [sic] the bottom of the door and up the door jam
of the mud room.
{¶ 25} "Unlike with respect to a misdemeanor offense to which a plea of no contest
is entered, the [trial] court is not required to have before it a statement of the particular
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conduct constituting the alleged offense when it accepts a defendant's plea of no contest to
a felony charge." State v. Cooper, 168 Ohio App.3d 378,
2006-Ohio-4004, ¶ 6 (2d Dist.).
However, where the state presents a statement of facts that "not only fails to include, but
absolutely negative[s] the existence of, an essential element of the offense charged in the
indictment," it is error for the trial court to find a defendant guilty based upon a plea of no
contest. (Emphasis sic.) State v. Cohen,
60 Ohio App.2d 182, 184 (1st Dist.1978). That
is simply not the case here for nothing about the state's recitation of facts absolutely negated
the existence of an essential element of the attempted aggravated arson charge.
{¶ 26} "[W]hen a defendant pleads no contest, he admits to 'the truth of the facts
alleged in the indictment.'" State v. Geiger, 10th Dist. Franklin No. 15AP-1120, 2016-Ohio-
7571, ¶ 17, quoting Crim.R. 11(B)(2). In turn, "where the indictment, information, or
complaint contains sufficient allegations to state a felony offense and the defendant pleads
no contest, the court must find the defendant guilty." State v. Bird, 81 Ohio St.3d 582, 584
(1998), citing State ex rel. Stern v. Mascio,
75 Ohio St. 3d 422, 425 (1996). Therefore,
because the portion of indictment in this case charging Huston with attempted aggravated
arson contains sufficient allegations to properly charge Huston with attempted aggravated
arson, a third-degree felony, we find no error in the trial court's decision finding Huston guilty
upon him entering a plea of no contest to that charge. Accordingly, having found no merit
to any of the arguments raised by Huston herein, Huston's second assignment of error is
overruled.
{¶ 27} Judgment affirmed in part, reversed in part, and remanded to the trial court to
issue the necessary nunc pro tunc judgment entries to correct the clerical errors in its
applicable judgment entries of plea and sentence to note Huston entered a plea of no
contest and not a plea of guilty.
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M. POWELL, J., concurs.
PIPER, J., dissents.
PIPER, J., dissenting.
{¶ 28} The proper resolution of Huston's second assignment error requires the no
contest plea to attempted aggravated arson be vacated and renders Huston's first
assignment of error moot. Therefore, with respect for the opinion of my colleagues, I must
dissent from the above opinion for the following reasons.
{¶ 29} Before entering his no contest plea, Huston was informed by the court on
numerous occasions that Huston would not be admitting to guilt of the crimes charged, but
instead would only be admitting the truth of the facts. The trial court informed Huston that
it would have the assistant prosecutor "recite the facts supporting each of the charges."
{¶ 30} Being the routine practice throughout Ohio, the trial court was entirely correct
in its intended procedure as explained to Huston. Despite the majority's persistent
representation that the state presented a statement of facts, such simply did not occur. The
majority goes on to hold "[i]f Huston wanted to know the specific conduct alleged to support
[his charges], Huston could have requested a bill of particulars." This suggestion by the
majority contains a concession that Huston was not made aware of the facts that were
operative to the elements as listed in the indictment prior to his plea.
{¶ 31} The trial court thoroughly explained a guilty plea is different than a no contest
plea because a guilty plea admits guilt of the crime and a no contest plea only admits the
truth of the facts. The majority opinion herein suggests that an indictment which attempts
to track the statutory elements of a crime is the same as alleging the facts specific to the
offense. I respectfully disagree with this suggestion. Were this to be true, there would be
little meaningful difference in a no contest plea admitting the facts alleged and a guilty plea
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which admits guilt of the generic elements of a crime found in the Ohio Revised Code. The
Revised Code consists only of the legal elements comprising an offense, not the facts which
caused the legal elements to take place.
{¶ 32} When the facts of the case are recited and the defendant appeals following a
no contest plea, the defendant can appeal and obtain a reversal if the recited facts do not
support the offense. Grounds for appeal may also exist if the only facts produced are in the
indictment and it fails to allege sufficient facts to constitute an offense. Katz, Martin, Lipton,
Gianelli and Croker, Baldwins Ohio Practice Criminal Law, Section 80:21 (3d Ed.2014).
{¶ 33} After emphasizing to Huston he would only be admitting the facts recited by
the prosecutor, the situation was compounded by the trial court's representation to Huston
that he would be "able to explain extenuating circumstances." Not only were no facts
presented to Huston prior to entering his no contest plea, he was never given an opportunity
to explain the circumstances he thought were extenuating. The majority fails to address
the procedure which occurred and gives no significance to the trial court's representations
and their failure to occur.
{¶ 34} When the trial court asked the state to recite the facts involved in Huston's
offense, the assistant prosecutor only placed in the record that Huston had engaged in
conduct which if successful would have resulted in a violation of R.C. 2909.02(A)(2);
aggravated arson. The assistant prosecutor placed no facts in the record relating to
Huston's conduct in his attempt, nor any facts particular to the aggravated arson. This was
violative of Crim.R. 11 and was not how the trial court explained the proceedings would
unfold. 1
1. We need only ask ourselves, what factually did Huston do to attempt an aggravate arson? After the state's
recitation, the answer remains silent. The majority suggests that an affidavit found in the file acts as a
substitute or supplement to the state's recitation; there is no case law that would support this proposition in
light of the trial court's explanations given to Huston prior to his plea.
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{¶ 35} With no facts in the indictment pertaining to Huston's commission of an
attempted aggravated arson, Huston's no contest plea proceedings circumscribed Crim.R.
11(B)(2). This process impermissibly undermined Huston's ability to understand and be
informed because it contradicted what the trial court told Huston. Similarly, informing
Huston that the proceedings would occur in a precise manner, and then permitting the
proceedings to occur differently, violated Huston's right to due process which trial courts
are inherently charged with providing.
{¶ 36} The majority opinion isolates arguments in Huston's brief from the context of
Huston's assignment of error and thereby misconstrues the assignment of error. Dissecting
Huston's arguments from the context of the assignment of error does little to serve our
appellate review. Even if Huston's arguments are difficult to follow, our role is to decide the
assignment of error. See State v. Evans, 113 Ohio St.3d 100,
2007-Ohio-861, citing App.R.
12(A)(1)(c).
{¶ 37} Huston's assignment of error is not premised on the indictment being
insufficient to give Huston notice of what the charges were against him. Nor is it based on
the state's compliance with R.C. 2941.03(D). Nor is it about Huston's understanding the
nature of the criminal charge or the absence of a colloquy regarding the plea form. The
majority addresses all these issues well, citing an abundance of cases all of which are
outside the context of a no contest plea or otherwise are dramatically different in their facts.
{¶ 38} Huston's assignment of error is clear: no contest proceedings are not valid
when there were no factual averments either in the indictment or recited by the prosecutor
prior to the no contest plea being accepted. Merely concluding that Huston attempted a
commission of R.C. 2909.02(A)(2) is not a factual recitation of his alleged conduct. While
many indictments do contain factual representations, the indictment herein did not. Even
more troubling is that the indictment contained incomplete language in providing the
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elements for the type of aggravated arson attempted. Therefore, it was error for the trial
court to accept Huston's plea of no contest. Crim.R. 11.2
{¶ 39} Generally, an indictment in Ohio avers material facts constituting the elements
of the offense. Geboy v. Brigano, 489 F.3d 752 (6th Cir.2007) citing State v. Sellards,
17
Ohio St.3d 169 (1985). While many indictments contain facts and others do not, the generic
statutory elements considered alone in the abstract are not facts particular to a defendant
or the occurrence of a specific offense. Technically, elements constituting a criminal offense
do not need to contain operative facts to meet the minimum requirements of sufficiency for
purposes of an indictment. R.C. 2941.03 thru 2941.06
{¶ 40} However, when indictments only allege a general, generic statutory violation,
the defendant can resort to a bill of particulars ensuring he is apprised of the conduct he is
accused of having committed. For purposes of a no contest plea, tracking the general legal
elements of an offense and simply referring to a code section fails to give a defendant an
awareness of the facts he is admitting in his plea. It is reversible error to proceed with
sentencing on a no contest plea where the statement of facts is nonexistent or otherwise
"incontestably deficient." State v. Cohen, 60 Ohio App.2d 182 (1st Dist.1978). Here, there
were no facts given and therefore, the state's recitation was "incontestably deficient."
{¶ 41} The majority construes Cohen for the proposition that the facts given in a no
contest plea must negate a material element of the offense before being reversible error.
The majority's application of Cohen is misguided because Cohen acknowledges that an
omission of facts can negate a material element of the offense, thereby comprising
reversible error.
2. The indictment failed to list all the statutory elements as well as any facts revealing the type of aggravated
arson which was attempted or how it was attempted. The failure to list the elements of an underlying felony
can be rectified where the bill of particulars remedies the defective indictment. State v. Skatzes, 104 Ohio
St.3d 195,
2004-Ohio-6391, ¶ 31. Unfortunately, here the court was given no facts on the record by way of
bill of particulars or otherwise.
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{¶ 42} It is well accepted, as the majority references, that a no contest plea "is an
admission of the truth of the facts alleged in the indictment." State v. Bird, 81 Ohio St.3d
582, 584 (1998). However, if no facts are recited in a felony case, this proposition of law
requires that facts be contained within the indictment in order to support a conviction based
upon a no contest plea. Keep in mind however, here, Huston was specifically told the state
would recite the facts which he would be admitting. Not only is the indictment lacking in
elements of the alleged offense, as pointed out by appellant in his brief, but no facts of
Huston's conduct were recited prior the no contest plea.3
{¶ 43} The majority determines that an indictment which "tracks the language" of the
Ohio Revised Code is sufficient for purposes of a no contest plea. The cases cited by the
majority however, regarding black letter law, for the sufficiency of an indictment, Clements,
Kovack, and Brust, do not involve no contest plea proceedings. In Clements, Kovack, and
Brust, the defendants each had a trial and the issues generated were much different than
the assignment of error presented herein.
{¶ 44} Similarly, the cases relied upon by the majority regarding a defendant's
understanding as to the nature of his charges are also of little assistance in that they do not
involve no contest proceedings with an allegation of insufficient facts. State v. Goens, 12th
Dist. Butler No. CA2005-06-174, ¶ 10 (prosecutor read detailed statement of facts); State
v. Singh, 141 Ohio App.3d 137, 141 (11th Dist.2000) (involved an explanation to non-
English speaking defendant regarding constitutional and nonconstitutional rights in guilty
plea proceeding); and State v. Rainey,
3 Ohio App.3d 441, 442 (10th Dist.1982) (prosecutor
3. "A no contest plea admits only the truth of the facts alleged in the indictment …" and where the indictment
did not allege any serious physical harm as a part of the robbery charge it was faulty to the consequence of
the defendant being denied procedural due process because the only way the court could determine such
element was factually established was if judicial factfinding occurred which is not permissible in conjunction
with a no contest plea State v. Wilson, 11th Dist. Lake No. 2016-L-039,
2018-Ohio-902, ¶ 119 (Cannon, J.,
dissenting in part and concurring in part). (Emphasis sic.)
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described the offense as having been committed with a firearm and "recited the facts" giving
rise to defendant's indictment for murder).
{¶ 45} The majority goes to great lengths to find a defendant's no contest plea is
entered "voluntarily" where the defendant is denied the opportunity to hear on the record
the facts he is admitting and denied the opportunity to address the extenuating
circumstances. Both representations by the trial court were inducements understood by
Huston prior to his plea. I find the denial of procedure misguided and violative of Crim.R.
11(C)(2)(a) and (b).
{¶ 46} Contributing to the absence of reasoning in affirming Huston's no contest
proceedings is the majority's reference to an affidavit found in the file. This affidavit was
not involved in the no contest proceedings, nor is there any indication it was shown to
Huston as the facts he would be admitting. The state's brief attributes no significance to
this affidavit relied upon by the majority and there is no indication the trial court considered
it when finding Huston guilty.
{¶ 47} Further, the majority relies upon State v. Cooper, 168 Ohio App.3d 378, 2006-
Ohio-4004, (2d Dist.) for the proposition that a felony no contest plea requires no facts be
verbally recited. Significant in Cooper, however, is the fact that "at the plea proceeding the
prosecutor proffered a copy of the police investigative report of Defendant's offense." Id. at
¶ 7. In other words, the trial court had factual content of the defendant's conduct entered
into the no contest proceedings thereby making it unnecessary for the state to verbally
recite what was in the report.
{¶ 48} A perfunctory process such as the one herein violates Crim.R. 11 because it
negates a significant difference between pleading guilty to a statutory offense as charged
and pleading no contest, not to the statutory offense charged, but to the truth of the facts
either as they are found in the indictment or as recited prior to the plea. A no contest plea
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does not dispense with the need for a subsequent finding of guilty to be based upon the
facts of the offense rather than the generic elements of the offense as summarily quoted
from the Ohio Revised Code.
{¶ 49} Therefore, Huston's assignment of error complaining of the lack of any facts
in the indictment and in the state's recitation is well-taken. Huston was told he would hear
a recitation of facts in court prior to entering his plea; he should receive no less. Additionally,
Huston was told that he could respond to those facts and explain the extenuating
circumstances; he should have been afforded that opportunity. While the majority opinion
today may reduce the time and attention in Ohio courtrooms given to the details of a no
contest plea, it does little for the procedural rights Ohio courts have previously stood
steadfast in protecting. The lack of due process accorded Huston's plea renders such
invalid as to the charge of attempted aggravated arson and the matter should be reversed
and remanded for further proceedings accordingly.
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