[Cite as State v. Knott,
2024-Ohio-2289.]
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
SECOND APPELLATE DISTRICT
CLARK COUNTY
STATE OF OHIO :
:
Appellee : C.A. No. 2023-CA-54
:
v. : Trial Court Case No. 21-CR-698(A)
:
ASIA A. KNOTT : (Criminal Appeal from Common Pleas
: Court)
Appellant :
:
...........
OPINION
Rendered on June 7, 2024
...........
JEFFREY R. MCQUISTON, Attorney for Appellant
ROBERT C. LOGSDON, Attorney for Appellee
.............
WELBAUM, J.
{¶ 1} Appellant, Asia A. Knott, appeals from her conviction in the Clark County
Court of Common Pleas after a jury found her guilty of one count of aggravated trafficking
in drugs. In support of her appeal, Knott claims that the trial court erred by failing to
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dismiss her aggravated trafficking charge on grounds that she was not afforded her
statutory and constitutional rights to a speedy trial. For the reasons outlined below, we
agree that the trial court erred by failing to dismiss Knott’s aggravated trafficking charge
on statutory speedy-trial grounds, and we will therefore vacate her judgment of conviction.
Facts and Course of Proceedings
{¶ 2} On October 25, 2021, a Clark County grand jury returned an indictment
charging Knott with one first-degree-felony count of aggravated trafficking in drugs in
violation of R.C. 2925.03(A)(2). Following Knott’s indictment, the State requested the
clerk of courts to issue a warrant on indictment ordering the Clark County Sheriff to arrest
Knott. Knott was thereafter arrested on November 5, 2021.
{¶ 3} On November 8, 2021, defense counsel entered a notice of appearance on
Knott’s behalf and filed demands for discovery and a bill of particulars. Two days later,
Knott was arraigned and pled not guilty to the indicted charge. On November 12, 2021,
Knott executed a $20,000 cash surety bond and was released from jail the same day.
Thereafter, the trial court scheduled Knott’s jury trial for March 24, 2022.
{¶ 4} On March 11, 2022, two weeks before the scheduled trial date, Knott filed a
motion to continue the trial on grounds that the State had provided Knott with additional
discovery that Knott needed more time to review. In the motion, Knott expressly waived
her right to a speedy trial for the duration of the requested continuance. The trial court
thereafter granted Knott’s motion and continued trial to July 12, 2022.
{¶ 5} On July 8, 2022, four days before the scheduled trial date, the State filed a
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motion to continue the trial on grounds that it needed more time to secure the attendance
of an out-of-state trial witness, i.e., Deputy Wiggans of Grand County, Utah. The State
also had a scheduling conflict, as it claimed the prosecutor trying Knott’s case had another
criminal trial scheduled for the same date and time as Knott’s. Id. On July 15, 2022,
the trial court granted the State’s motion and continued the trial to September 27, 2022.
{¶ 6} The day before the scheduled trial date, Knott filed a motion in limine that
sought to prevent the State from introducing and commenting on certain law enforcement
records at trial. As a result of this motion, Knott’s trial did not go forward as scheduled.
Rather, the trial court held a hearing on Knott’s motion in limine on December 12, 2022,
and continued trial to February 22, 2023.
{¶ 7} During the December 12th motion hearing, the State confirmed that it was
not going to present the law enforcement records that Knott had challenged in her motion
in limine or any testimony regarding those records. As a result, the trial court found that
Knott’s motion in limine was moot. Hearing Tr. (Dec. 12, 2022), p. 6. The defense did
not object to the trial court’s ruling.
{¶ 8} On February 16, 2023, both parties appeared for a pretrial conference and
confirmed that they were prepared to go forward with trial on February 22, 2023. Pretrial
Tr. (Feb. 16, 2023), p. 4. However, on the morning of trial, the State advised the trial
court that it had learned the previous day that Dep. Wiggans had a body camera video of
a traffic stop involving Knott that the State wanted to present at trial. Because the body
camera video was disclosed to Knott on the morning of trial, the court delayed the start
of trial so that Knott could watch the video and make any necessary motions that morning.
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{¶ 9} After watching the body camera video, Knott moved to exclude the video on
grounds that it was irrelevant and prejudicial. In response, the trial court continued the
trial and immediately held a hearing on the issue of whether the video should be excluded.
During the hearing, the State conceded that the aggravating trafficking charge for which
Knott was being tried did not stem from the traffic stop depicted in the video. Following
the hearing, the trial court found that the video was irrelevant and prejudicial and thus
granted Knott’s motion to exclude it from trial. The trial court did not journalize this
decision but simply stated it on the record during the hearing. The trial court also did not
journalize its decision to continue Knott’s trial. Instead, the trial court’s bailiff issued a
form notice indicating that Knott’s trial had been rescheduled to May 23, 2023.
{¶ 10} Knott’s trial did not go forward on May 23, 2023, as scheduled. On July
10, 2023, the trial court’s bailiff issued another notice informing the parties that Knott’s
trial had been rescheduled to take place on August 29, 2023. The notice did not explain
the reason for the continuance, and the trial court did not journalize the continuance.
{¶ 11} On August 28, 2023, Knott filed a motion to dismiss her aggravated
trafficking charge on grounds that her statutory and constitutional rights to a speedy trial
had been violated. The following day, the trial court addressed Knott’s motion to dismiss
on the record before proceeding with trial. In doing so, the trial court mentioned that
Knott’s case had been pending on the docket of two different judges, and that the case
had been transferred to the current judge in January 2023. While discussing the
continuances in this case, the trial court stated that the trial date of February 22, 2023,
was rescheduled for a “date where all parties were in agreement[,]” which, as previously
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discussed, was May 23, 2023. Trial Tr. (Aug. 29, 2023), p. 14. The trial court also
explained that the May 23rd trial date was continued due to the court’s unavailability, as
the court indicated it was presiding over a two-week civil trial at that time. Id.
{¶ 12} After reviewing the matter, the trial court stated that “even though this case
has been pending for quite some time on the docket of two separate judges, that we are
still within what this Court believes is the speedy trial timelines as set forth in Ohio Revised
Code Section 2945.71[.]” Id. at 15. In so holding, the trial court found no speedy trial
violation due to various tolling events and thus denied Knott’s motion to dismiss. Id. at
11-15.
{¶ 13} After Knott’s motion to dismiss was denied, the matter proceeded to trial,
which lasted three days. Based on the evidence presented at trial, the jury found Knott
guilty of the aggravated trafficking charge for which she had been indicted. The trial
court thereafter sentenced Knott to a mandatory, indefinite term of 11 to 16.5 years in
prison. Knott now appeals from her conviction, raising a single assignment of error for
review.
Assignment of Error
{¶ 14} Under her sole assignment of error, Knott contends that the trial court erred
by failing to dismiss her aggravated trafficking charge on grounds that her statutory and
constitutional rights to a speedy trial were violated. For the reasons outlined below, we
agree that the trial court erred by failing to dismiss her charge on statutory speedy trial
grounds.
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Standard of Review
{¶ 15} In the past, this court has reviewed motions to dismiss based on speedy-
trial violations for abuse of discretion. See, e.g., State v. Cimpaye, 2020-Ohio-2740,
154
N.E.3d 415, ¶ 12 (2d Dist.); State v. Shaffer,
2018-Ohio-768,
108 N.E.3d 154, ¶ 6 (2d
Dist.); State v. Jackson, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 24430,
2012-Ohio-2335, ¶ 26; State v.
Cassell, 2d Dist. Clark No. 2009-CA-64,
2011-Ohio-23, ¶ 12. In State v. Long, 2d Dist.
Clark No. 2017-CA-84,
2018-Ohio-5163, this court declined to adopt the more widely
used mixed question of law and fact standard of review under which appellate courts
defer to the trial court’s factual findings if they are supported by competent, credible
evidence, and then review the application of the law to those facts de novo.
Id. at ¶ 26-
27. The Supreme Court of Ohio, however, reversed this court’s speedy-trial decision in
Long and, in doing so, stated that: “Review of a speedy-trial claim involves a mixed
question of law and fact. Therefore, we defer to the trial court’s factual findings if they
are supported by competent, credible evidence, but we review the application of the law
to those facts de novo.” (Citation omitted.) State v. Long,
163 Ohio St.3d 179, 2020-
Ohio-5363,
168 N.E.3d 1163. Given the Supreme Court of Ohio’s directive in Long, we
will apply the mixed question of law and fact standard of review to Knott’s speedy-trial
claim as opposed to reviewing the matter for abuse of discretion.
{¶ 16} Upon review, we find that the trial court’s findings of fact are, for the most
part, consistent with the findings of fact recited in this opinion and are supported by
competent, credible evidence in the record. We do note, however, that the trial court’s
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findings incorrectly describe the February 22, 2023 hearing as a suppression hearing.
As previously discussed, the purpose of the February 22 hearing was to determine
whether Dep. Wiggans’ body camera video should be excluded from evidence on
relevance and prejudice grounds, not because the video was illegally obtained in violation
of Knott’s constitutional rights. See State v. French, 72 Ohio St.3d 446, 449,
650 N.E.2d
887 (1995) (noting the distinctions between a motion to suppress and motion in limine
and stating that “[a] ‘motion to suppress’ is defined as a ‘[d]evice used to eliminate from
the trial of a criminal case evidence which has been secured illegally, generally in
violation’ of constitutional rights”), quoting Black’s Law Dictionary 1014 (6th Ed.1990). In
addition, the trial court’s findings omitted certain facts, such as that Knott filed demands
for discovery and a bill of particulars on November 8, 2021, which the State fulfilled on
November 10, 2021, and September 22, 2022, respectively.
{¶ 17} Using all the aforementioned facts, we will independently apply the relevant
law to determine whether Knott’s speedy-trial rights were violated.
Statutory and Constitutional Speedy-Trial Rights in General
{¶ 18} “ ‘The Sixth and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution
guarantee a criminal defendant the right to a speedy trial by the state. … This same
right is assured an accused party by Section 10, Article 1 of the Ohio Constitution.’ ”
State v. O'Brien, 34 Ohio St.3d 7, 8,
516 N.E.2d 218 (1987), quoting State v. Ladd,
56
Ohio St.2d 197, 200,
383 N.E.2d 579 (1978), citing Klopfer v. North Carolina,
386 U.S.
213,
87 S.Ct. 988,
18 L.Ed.2d 1 (1967). The constitutional right to a speedy trial is also
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statutorily enforced in Ohio by the provisions of R.C. 2945.71 et seq. State v. Adams,
43 Ohio St.3d 67, 68,
538 N.E.2d 1025 (1989). “Thus, for purposes of bringing an
accused to trial, the statutory speedy trial provisions of R.C. 2945.71 et seq. and the
constitutional guarantees found in the United States and Ohio Constitutions are
coextensive.” (Emphasis omitted.) O’Brien at 9.
{¶ 19} “[A]lthough the statutory and constitutional speedy trial provisions are
coextensive, the constitutional guarantees may be found to be broader than speedy trial
statutes in some circumstances.” Id. The Supreme Court of Ohio has recognized that
“ ‘there may be situations wherein the statutes do not adequately afford the protection
guaranteed by the federal and state constitutions, in which case it is our duty to see that
an accused receives the protection of the higher authority[.]’ ”
Id., quoting
Ladd at 201.
“ ‘[B]ecause constitutional speedy trial guarantees may be found to be broader than
speedy trial statutes,’ a constitutional right to a speedy trial must be analyzed separately
from a statutory speedy trial right.” State v. Frazier, 9th Dist. Summit No. 30568, 2023-
Ohio-4222, ¶ 6, quoting State v. Williams, 9th Dist. Medina No. 2273-M,
1994 WL 135309,
*2 (Apr. 20, 1994).
Statutory Speedy Trial Law
{¶ 20} Pursuant to R.C. 2945.71, a person charged with a felony offense “shall be
brought to trial within [270] days after the person’s arrest.” R.C. 2945.71(C)(2). “Each
day the accused is held in jail in lieu of bail is counted as three days.” State v. Harris, 2d
Dist. Montgomery No. 29379, 2023-Ohio-648, ¶ 12, citing R.C. 2945.71(E). “A
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defendant establishes a prima facie speedy trial violation when his motion [to dismiss]
reveals that a trial did not occur within the time period prescribed by R.C. 2945.71.” State
v. Hill, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 28411, 2020-Ohio-2958, ¶ 6, citing State v. Butcher,
27
Ohio St.3d 28, 31,
500 N.E.2d 1368 (1986). “If a defendant ‘establishes a prima facie
case of a violation of his right to a speedy trial, the burden then shifts to the State’ to
demonstrate either that the statutory limit was not exceeded, or that the State’s time to
bring the defendant to trial was properly extended.” State v. Wagner, 2d Dist. Miami No.
2020-CA-6,
2021-Ohio-1671, ¶ 12, quoting State v. Nichols, 5th Dist. Richland No.
04CA56,
2005-Ohio-1771, ¶ 11, citing
Butcher at 30-31. Speedy-trial time may be
extended/tolled for a number of circumstances listed under R.C. 2945.72(A) through (J).
{¶ 21} Pursuant to R.C. 2945.72(E), speedy-trial time is tolled for “[a]ny period of
delay necessitated by reason of a plea in bar or abatement, motion, proceeding, or action
made or instituted by the accused.” R.C. 2945.72(E). A motion in limine filed by a
defendant constitutes an event under R.C. 2945.72(E) that tolls speedy-trial time for a
reasonable period to allow the state an opportunity to respond and the court an
opportunity to rule on the motion. State v. Sanchez, 110 Ohio St.3d 274, 2006-Ohio-
4478,
853 N.E.2d 283, ¶ 26-27.
{¶ 22} A defendant’s demand for discovery or a bill of particulars also constitutes
a tolling event under R.C. 2945.72(E). State v. Brown, 98 Ohio St.3d 121, 2002-Ohio-
7040,
781 N.E.2d 159, syllabus; State v. Wilson, 2d Dist. Clark No. 2018-CA-2, 2020-
Ohio-2962, ¶ 29; State v. Bakhshi, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 25585,
2014-Ohio-1268,
¶ 36. Such demands toll speedy-trial time for a reasonable period to allow the state an
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opportunity to respond. State v. Palmer, 112 Ohio St.3d 457,
2007-Ohio-374,
860
N.E.2d 1011, ¶ 23; State v. Marbury,
192 Ohio App.3d 210,
2011-Ohio-879,
948 N.E.2d
531, ¶ 12 (2d Dist.). “Courts have generally interpreted 30 days to constitute a
reasonable period to respond to requests for discovery or a bill of particulars.” State v.
Smith, 4th Dist. Lawrence No. 16CA10,
2017-Ohio-7864, ¶ 23, citing State v. Shabazz,
8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 95021,
2011-Ohio-2260, ¶ 26, and State v. Ford,
180 Ohio App.3d
636,
2009-Ohio-146,
906 N.E.2d 1155, ¶ 8-11 (1st Dist.). See also Palmer at ¶ 7
(crediting the State with 30 days of the 60 days that had expired between the State’s
request for reciprocal discovery and the defendant’s response). However, the Supreme
Court of Ohio has explained that “[w]hat is reasonable will necessarily be a case-by-case
determination and depend on the totality of the circumstances.” State v. Belville,
171
Ohio St.3d 5,
2022-Ohio-3879,
215 N.E.3d 455, ¶ 21.
{¶ 23} Pursuant to R.C. 2945.72(H), speedy-trial time is also tolled for “[t]he 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.” Therefore,
“[c]ontinuances that a defendant requests toll the clock under R.C. 2945.75(H)[.]” State
v. Lewis, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 28962, 2021-Ohio-1895, ¶ 35. However, “[w]here a
continuance is not based on the defendant’s request, it will extend the speedy trial time
only if the continuance is reasonable and necessary under the circumstances of the
case.” State v. Willis, 6th Dist. Wood Nos. WD-15-006, WD-15-007,
2016-Ohio-616,
¶ 17, citing State v. Saffell,
35 Ohio St.3d 90, 91,
518 N.E.2d 934 (1988). In other words,
continuances that are granted at the State’s request or that are ordered sua sponte by
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the trial court must be reasonable to toll speedy-trial time. State v. King, 70 Ohio St.3d
158, 162,
637 N.E.2d 903 (1994); State v. Knight, 2d Dist. Greene No. 03-CA-014, 2005-
Ohio-3179, ¶ 30; State v. Stamps,
127 Ohio App.3d 219, 224,
712 N.E.2d 762 (1st
Dist.1998). “If they are not reasonable, both types of continuances must be charged
against the state for speedy-trial purposes.”
Stamps at 224.
{¶ 24} The reasonableness of a continuance must be reviewed on a case-by-case
basis and is strictly construed against the State. Saffell at 91; State v. Gavin, 2d Dist.
Montgomery Nos. 24284, 24285,
2011-Ohio-4665, ¶ 34; Knight at ¶ 30, citing State v.
Singer,
50 Ohio St.2d 103, 109,
362 N.E.2d 1216 (1977). “The reasonableness of a
continuance is determined by examining the purpose and length of the continuance.”
Gavin at ¶ 34; Knight at ¶ 30, citing State v. Lee,
48 Ohio St.2d 208, 210,
357 N.E.2d
1095 (1976). Therefore, for the continuance to toll speedy trial time, “[t]he record must
reflect that the continuance was ‘reasonable in both purpose and length.’ ” State v.
Martin,
56 Ohio St.2d 289, 293,
384 N.E.2d 239 (1978), quoting
Lee at 210.
{¶ 25} “Ideally, ‘[w]hen sua sponte granting a continuance under R.C. 2945.72(H),
the trial court must enter the order of continuance and the reasons therefor by journal
entry prior to the expiration of the time limit prescribed in R.C. 2945.71 for bringing a
defendant to trial.’ ” State v. Ramey, 132 Ohio St.3d 309,
2012-Ohio-2904,
971 N.E.2d
937, ¶ 32, quoting State v. Mincy,
2 Ohio St.3d 6,
441 N.E.2d 571 (1982), syllabus.
“ ‘The journalization of reasons is necessary to permit the appellate court to determine
whether, on the accused’s claim that his statutory speedy trial rights were violated, the
period of delay resulting from the sua sponte continuance was nevertheless
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“reasonable.” ’ ” State v. Lovett, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 29240, 2022-Ohio-1693, ¶ 22,
quoting State v. Ramey,
2012-Ohio-6187,
986 N.E.2d 462, ¶ 13 (2d Dist.), quoting R.C.
2945.72(H). That said, “an appellate court may affirm a conviction challenged on
speedy-trial grounds even if the trial court did not expressly enumerate any reasons
justifying the delay when the reasonableness of the continuance is otherwise affirmatively
demonstrated by the record.” Ramey,
132 Ohio St.3d 309,
2012-Ohio-2904,
971 N.E.2d
937, at ¶ 33, citing State v. McRae,
55 Ohio St.2d 149, 153,
378 N.E.2d 476 (1978).
“The record of the trial court must in some manner affirmatively demonstrate that a sua
sponte continuance by the court was reasonable in light of its necessity or purpose.”
Lee
at 209;
McRae at 153 (the existing record must affirmatively demonstrate the
reasonableness of the delay).
Statutory Speedy Trial Analysis
{¶ 26} In this case, Knott’s speedy-trial time began running on November 6, 2021,
i.e., the day after Knott was arrested. Although Knott was released from jail on
November 12, 2021, the triple count provision under R.C. 2945.71(E) only applies to
Knott’s time spent in jail on November 6th and November 7, because Knott filed demands
for discovery and a bill of particulars on November 8, 2021, which tolled Knott’s speedy-
trial time pursuant to R.C. 2945.72(E). Therefore, only six days of speedy-trial time
elapsed before the November 8th tolling event caused by Knott’s demands.
{¶ 27} The State fulfilled Knott’s discovery demand on November 10, 2021, but did
not respond to Knott’s demand for a bill of particulars until ten months later on September
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22, 2022. In situations like this, the tolling period is often set for a reasonable period of
30 days. See Palmer, 112 Ohio St.3d 457,
2007-Ohio-374,
860 N.E.2d 1011, at ¶ 7;
Smith, 4th Dist. Lawrence No. 16CA10,
2017-Ohio-7864, at ¶ 23. Under the
circumstances of this case, we find that such a resolution is appropriate. Therefore,
Knott’s speedy-trial time was tolled 30 days from the date she filed her demand for a bill
of particulars, i.e., 30 days from November 8, 2021.
{¶ 28} Following the 30-day tolling period, Knott’s speedy-trial time started running
again on December 8, 2021, and continued running for 93 days until March 11, 2022,
when Knott filed a motion to continue the trial. Knott’s motion to continue, which the trial
court granted, tolled speedy-trial time pursuant to R.C. 2945.72(H). In the motion, Knott
expressly waived her right to a speedy trial for the period of the continuance. After
granting the continuance, the trial court rescheduled Knott’s trial for July 12, 2022.
Therefore, pursuant to R.C. 2945.72(H), Knott’s continuance tolled speedy-trial time for
123 days, and by March 11, 2022, a total of 99 days of speedy-trial time had elapsed (6
days + 93 days).
{¶ 29} On July 8, 2022, just four days before the rescheduled trial date, the State
filed a motion to continue trial, which the trial court granted. In granting the continuance,
the trial court rescheduled Knott’s trial to September 27, 2022, which resulted in a delay
of 77 days. Because this continuance was requested by the State, it only tolled speedy-
trial time under R.C. 2945.72(H) if it was reasonable.
{¶ 30} As previously discussed, the reasonableness of a continuance is analyzed
on a case-by-case basis and is determined by examining its purpose and length. Gavin,
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2d Dist. Montgomery Nos. 24284, 24285, 2011-Ohio-4665, at ¶ 34; Saffell,
35 Ohio St.3d
at 91,
518 N.E.2d 934. In this case, the trial court’s journal entry granting the State’s
request for a trial continuance did not state the reason for the continuance. The record,
however, affirmatively demonstrates that the continuance was ordered so that the State
could secure the appearance of an out-of-state trial witness, i.e., Dep. Wiggans.
Specifically, the State explained in its motion for a continuance that it had initially decided
not to call Dep. Wiggans as a trial witness, but later realized the deputy was a necessary
witness to its case-in-chief as it was preparing for trial. The State claimed that it did not
have enough time to make travel arrangements to get Dep. Wiggans to Ohio for trial on
July 12, 2022. In addition, the State explained that the prosecutor trying Knott’s case
had another criminal trial scheduled at the same date and time as Knott’s trial, and it noted
that the other case was not likely to “plea out.”
{¶ 31} In response to the State’s motion, the trial court issued a judgment entry
granting the requested continuance “for good cause shown.” “Many courts have
concluded that reasonable continuances are appropriate, and may toll the time for speedy
trial, in order to accommodate the schedule of a witness or a prosecutor.” State v.
Brown, 2016-Ohio-1453,
63 N.E.3d 509, ¶ 13 (4th Dist.), citing Saffell and State v.
Crocker,
2015-Ohio-2528,
38 N.E.3d 369, ¶ 58 (“[a] continuance granted on the state's
motion due to the unavailability of the prosecutor can toll the speedy-trial time”). (Other
citations omitted.) This court has also found that “[t]he unavailability of a witness is a
reasonable basis for a continuance under R.C. 2945.72(H). State v. Wilson, 2d Dist.
Clark No. 2018-CA-2,
2020-Ohio-2962, ¶ 37, citing State v. Jones, 2d Dist. Clark No.
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2013-CA-118, 2014-Ohio-4605, ¶ 14, and Saffell. (Other citation omitted.) Accordingly,
we find the purpose for the State’s continuance in this case was reasonable.
{¶ 32} As for the length of the continuance, we find that 77 days was reasonable
given that the record establishes that the State needed to make travel arrangements for
an out-of-state witness from Utah to appear at trial. Because the purpose and length of
the continuance was apparent from the record and reasonable, we find that the
continuance tolled speedy-trial time under R.C. 2945.72(H). Accordingly, no speedy-trial
time elapsed between July 12, 2022, and the rescheduled trial date of September 27,
2022.
{¶ 33} On September 26, 2022, the day before the rescheduled trial date, Knott
filed a motion in limine, which resulted in the trial court’s continuing trial and holding a
motion hearing on December 12, 2022. Pursuant to R.C. 2945.72(E), Knott’s motion in
limine tolled speedy-trial time until the trial court could hold the December 12 hearing and
rule on the motion. The record indicates that the trial court overruled Knott’s motion in
limine as moot the same day as the hearing; therefore, Knott’s speedy-trial time started
running again on December 12, 2022. Knott’s trial was thereafter rescheduled for
February 22, 2023; 72 days of speedy-trial time elapsed between December 12, 2022,
and February 22, 2023.
{¶ 34} On February 22, 2023, the parties appeared at court for trial. That
morning, however, the State advised the trial court that it had become aware of newly
discovered evidence in the form of a body camera video depicting a traffic stop involving
Knott. The State explained that it had learned of the video’s existence after speaking
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with Dep. Wiggans the previous day, and that it wanted to present the video at trial.
{¶ 35} Because the newly discovered body camera video was not disclosed to
Knott until the morning of trial, the trial court allowed Knott to watch the video before
moving forward with the proceedings. After watching the video, Knott moved to exclude
the video on grounds that it was irrelevant and prejudicial. As a result, the trial court
continued the trial and immediately held a hearing on the motion. After the hearing, the
trial court found that the body camera video was irrelevant and prejudicial and granted
Knott’s motion to exclude it. The trial court’s bailiff thereafter sent the parties a form
notice indicating that trial was rescheduled for May 23, 2023. No journal entries were
ever issued on these matters.
{¶ 36} The State proposes that the trial continuance to May 23 was attributable to
Knott’s motion to exclude the body camera video and thus should be considered a tolling
event under R.C. 2945.72(E). The State claims that Knott insisted the trial court continue
the trial and hold a hearing on the motion. This claim, however, is not supported by the
record of the February 22 hearing. Although it is clear from the record that Knott moved
to exclude the body camera video after watching it, the record establishes that Knott never
requested a trial continuance or a hearing on the motion. Rather, the record indicates
that the trial court sua sponte continued trial in order to hold the hearing. See Hearing
Tr. (Feb. 22, 2023), p. 7, 11, and 13.
{¶ 37} In our view, if the State had timely discovered and disclosed the body
camera video, Knott’s motion to exclude the video could have been raised and argued
well before the February 22 trial date. It is worth noting that as early as March 4, 2022,
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the State disclosed Dep. Wiggans as a trial witness who had conducted a traffic stop of
Knott. The record also establishes that in its July 8, 2022 motion for a trial continuance,
the State advised the court that Dep. Wiggans was a crucial witness to its case-in-chief.
Despite having that knowledge, and despite having almost a year to communicate with
Dep. Wiggans, the State did not learn about Dep. Wiggans’ body camera video until the
day before trial was scheduled to begin on February 22, 2023. Under these specific
circumstances, we find that it was the State’s failure to timely discover and disclose the
body camera video that precipitated Knott’s motion and the resulting trial continuance.
Therefore, we think it would be unfair to attribute the resulting continuance to Knott.
{¶ 38} In any event, “[w]hen defense counsel merely acquiesces to a trial date set
by the court but does not affirmatively lodge a motion for a continuance, the continuance
is entered ‘other than upon the accused’s own motion[.]’ ” Ramey, 2012-Ohio-6187,
986
N.E.2d 462, at ¶ 16, quoting State v. Davis,
46 Ohio St.2d 444, 449,
349 N.E.2d 315
(1976). Therefore, we find that the trial continuance from February 22, 2023, to May 23,
2023 did not qualify as a tolling event under R.C. 2945.72(E) as argued by the State.
Rather, under the specific circumstances of this case, we find that the continuance was
more akin to a continuance granted other than upon the accused’s own motion, which is
a tolling event under R.C. 2945.72(H) if the continuance is reasonable.
{¶ 39} When applying the previously discussed principles for determining the
reasonableness of a R.C. 2945.72(H) continuance, we do not find that the trial
continuance at issue was reasonable. While the record affirmatively establishes that the
continuance was for the reasonable purpose of holding a hearing on the issue of whether
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to exclude Dep. Wiggans’ body camera video, there is nothing in the record establishing
why trial was continued for a lengthy period of 90 days.
{¶ 40} “[W]here the continuance is of such length that it is facially unreasonable
and seriously open to question … the attendant facts and circumstances must be
included in the record in sufficient detail so that the necessity and reasonableness of the
continuance is demonstrable.” State v. Wentworth, 54 Ohio St.2d 171, 175,
375 N.E.2d
424 (1978).
{¶ 41} Here, the record establishes that after Knott moved to exclude the body
camera video on the day of trial, the trial court immediately held a hearing on the motion
and ruled on the motion the same day. Accordingly, no significant delay was needed to
hold the hearing and rule on the motion. In addition, the record establishes that, as of
the February 22 hearing date, Knott’s case had been pending for 474 days and neither
party needed more time to prepare for trial. The record further establishes that the
parties conducted a video-recorded deposition of Dep. Wiggans immediately after the
February 22 hearing so that the parties could play the deposition at trial in lieu of
presenting the deputy’s live testimony. In doing so, the State did not have to worry about
scheduling a time to fly Dep. Wiggans back to Ohio to testify. There is also nothing in
the record indicating that the 90-day duration of the trial continuance was due to docket
congestion or the parties’ schedules.
{¶ 42} The trial court mentioned the continuance while ruling on Knott’s motion to
dismiss on August 29, 2023, and merely stated that the court had “picked a trial date
where all parties were in agreement.” Trial Tr. (Aug. 29, 2023) p. 14. This statement,
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however, does not affirmatively explain why the trial was continued for 90 days.
Therefore, we find that the record is devoid of any explanation for the lengthy 90-day
continuance. Because there is no journal entry explaining the reason for the long
duration of the continuance, and because the record does not otherwise affirmatively
demonstrate why the continuance was set for 90 days, we conclude that the continuance
from February 22, 2023, to May 23, 2023 was not reasonable and therefore did not toll
the speedy trial time under R.C. 2945.72(H). See State v. Stoddard, 2020-Ohio-893,
152 N.E.3d 990, ¶ 18 (9th Dist.).
{¶ 43} As of May 23, 2023, a total of 261 days of speedy-trial time had elapsed,
which was just nine days short of the 270-day statutory limit. Knott’s trial, however, did
not go forward on May 23 as scheduled. Two-and-a-half weeks after that date, the trial
court’s bailiff issued a form notice rescheduling the trial to occur 98 days later on August
29, 2023—a date which was well beyond the statutory time limit.
{¶ 44} As previously discussed, “when a trial court sua sponte continues a trial
date beyond the speedy-trial period, it must issue a journal entry setting forth the
continuance and the reason therefor prior to the expiration of the speedy-trial period.”
State v. Belville, 171 Ohio St.3d 5,
2022-Ohio-3879,
215 N.E.3d 455, citing King,
70 Ohio
St.3d at 162-163,
637 N.E.2d 903. In this case, the trial court never issued a journal
entry ordering the sua sponte trial continuance. The only information in the record
explaining the reason for the continuance is an after-the-fact statement made by the trial
court prior to trial on August 29, 2023, indicating that the court was unavailable on May
23, 2023, due to its presiding over a two-week civil trial. See Trial Tr. (Aug. 29, 2023),
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p. 14.
{¶ 45} Upon review, we find that the trial court should have journalized and
explained the reason for the sua sponte trial continuance before the expiration of the
statutory time limit. Mincy, 2 Ohio St.3d at 6,
441 N.E.2d 571;
King at 162-163.
Because this was not done, we find that the sua sponte trial continuance was
unreasonable. The record also does not affirmatively establish that the 98-day duration
of the continuance was reasonable, as the court did not provide a clear explanation for
why the continuance was so long. Although the trial court discussed the continuance
prior to Knott’s trial and indicated that counsel and/or the witnesses were unable to
proceed with trial the following week, the court never affirmatively explained why the
continuance ended up being 98 days. See Trial Tr. (Aug. 29, 2023), p. 14. Given that
the case had been pending for 564 days as of May 23, 2023, and given that there is
nothing in the record explaining why the continuance was 98 days long, we find that the
length of the continuance was not reasonable. Consequently, the 98 days that elapsed
during that continuance was not subject to being tolled under R.C. 2945.72(H).
{¶ 46} Based on the foregoing analysis, 359 speedy-trial days elapsed before
Knott was brought to trial, which is 89 days over the 270-day statutory limit. This
calculation is summarized in the table below:
Dates Events Days
Counted
11/5/21 Knott’s arrest 0
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11/6/21 - 11/7/21 Knott in jail (triple count) 6
11/8/21 - 12/8/21 Knott filed demands for discovery and a bill of 0
particulars on 11/8/21, which tolled speedy-trial
time under R.C. 2945.72(E). State provided
discovery packet on 11/10/21. State had a
reasonable period of 30 days to respond to bill of
particulars. The 30-day response period was tolled.
12/8/21 - 3/11/22 Speedy-trial time started running again on 12/8/21. 93
Knott then filed a motion for trial continuance on
3/11/22, which was granted.
3/11/22 - 7/12/22 Knott’s continuance was granted to 7/12/22, which 0
tolled speedy trial time under R.C. 2945.72(H) for
the duration of the continuance.
7/8/22 - 9/27/22 The State filed a motion to continue trial on 7/8/22 0
and was granted a reasonable continuance to
9/27/22. The duration of the State’s continuance
was tolled under R.C. 2945.72(H).
9/26/22 - 12/12/22 Knott filed a motion in limine on 9/26/22 resulting in 0
trial being continued for the purpose of holding a
hearing on the motion. The motion hearing took
place on 12/12/22 and the motion was overruled as
moot during the hearing. Trial was continued to
2/22/23. Speedy-trial time was tolled up to the
date of the motion hearing under R.C. 2945.72(E).
12/12/22 - 2/22/23 Speedy-trial time began running after the hearing 72
on Knott’s motion in limine up until the 2/22/23 trial
date.
2/22/23 - 5/23/23 The trial court continued trial on 2/22/23 in order to 90
hold a hearing on Knott’s motion to exclude body
camera video, a hearing that was precipitated by
the State’s late disclosure of the video on the
morning of trial. The trial court rescheduled trial 90
days out without journalizing the continuance or
giving reasons for the lengthy delay. Unreasonable
continuance, no tolling under R.C. 2945.72(H).
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5/23/23 - 8/29/23 The trial court sua sponte continued trial for 98 98
days without filing a journal entry. The continuance
fell beyond the 270-day statutory time limitation
and nothing in the record affirmatively established
the reason for the long 98-day duration of the
continuance. Unreasonable continuance, no tolling
under R.C. 2945.72(H)
8/29/23 The trial court ruled on Knott’s motion to dismiss 0 days
and trial commenced.
11/5/21-8/29/23 TOTAL SPEEDY-TRIAL DAYS ELAPSED 359 y
(6 + 93 + 72 + 90 + 98) s
Applicability of Recent Amendment to R.C. 2945.73
{¶ 47} Effective April 4, 2023, the Ohio General Assembly amended R.C. 2945.73
in a manner that changed the procedure for handling situations where a defendant is not
brought to trial within the 270-day statutory time limit. Prior to the amendment, R.C.
2945.73(B) provided that: “Upon motion made at or prior to the commencement of trial, a
person charged with an offense shall be discharged if he is not brought to trial within the
time required by sections 2945.71 and 2945.72 of the Revised Code.” Former R.C.
2945.73(D) further provided that “such discharge is a bar to any further criminal
proceedings against [the accused] based on the same conduct.” Therefore, under the
former version of the statute, the trial court was required to discharge the accused from
criminal liability if the accused was not brought to trial within the statutory time limit, and
the State was prevented from recharging the accused for the same conduct. See State
v. Woodard, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 29110, 2022-Ohio-3081, ¶ 24, citing State v. Kerby,
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162 Ohio App.3d 353,
2005-Ohio-3734,
833 N.E.2d 757, ¶ 18. That is no longer the
case under the newly amended version of R.C. 2945.73.
{¶ 48} As amended, Section (B) of R.C. 2945.73 now pertains solely to
misdemeanor defendants, and Section (C) provides as follows:
(C)(1) A person charged with a felony, who is not brought to trial
within the time required by sections 2945.71 and 2945.72 of the Revised
Code, is eligible for release from detention. The court may release the
person from any detention in connection with the charges pending trial and
may impose any terms or conditions on the release that the court considers
appropriate.
(2) Upon motion made at or before the commencement of trial, but
not sooner than fourteen days before the day the person would become
eligible for release pursuant to division (C)(1) of this section, the charges
shall be dismissed with prejudice unless the person is brought to trial on
those charges within fourteen days after the motion is filed and served on
the prosecuting attorney. If no motion is filed, the charges shall be
dismissed with prejudice unless the person is brought to trial on those
charges within fourteen days after it is determined by the court that the time
for trial required by sections 2945.71 and 2945.72 of the Revised Code has
expired. If it is determined by the court that the time for trial required by
sections 2945.71 and 2945.72 of the Revised Code has expired, no
additional charges arising from the same facts and circumstances as the
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original charges may be added during the fourteen-day period specified
under this division. The fourteen-day period specified under this division
may be extended at the request of the accused or on account of the fault or
misconduct of the accused.
R.C. 2945.73(C)(1)-(2).
{¶ 49} As opposed to being discharged from criminal liability, the amended version
of R.C. 2945.73(C) provides that a felony defendant who is not brought to trial within the
statutory time limit of “is eligible for release from detention.” R.C. 2945.73(C)(1). The
statute also provides that defendant must be brought to trial within 14 days after his or
her motion to dismiss on speedy-trial grounds is filed and served upon the prosecutor.
R.C. 2945.27(C)(2). If no motion is filed, the defendant must be brought to trial within 14
days after the trial court determines the statutory speedy-trial time limit has expired. Id.
Only if the defendant’s case is not tried within that 14-day grace period are the defendant’s
criminal charges to be dismissed with prejudice.
Id. However, the 14-day grace period
can be extended at the request of the accused or due to the fault or misconduct of the
accused.
Id.
{¶ 50} The foregoing amendments to R.C. 2945.73 went into effect while Knott’s
case was pending. “ ‘If a statute is amended and becomes effective while the
defendant’s case is pending in the trial court, then its applicability to the defendant’s case
is guided by R.C. 1.58.’ ” State v. Degahson, 2d Dist. Clark No. 2021-CA-35, 2022-Ohio-
2972, ¶ 21, quoting State v. Hurt, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 110732, 2022-Ohio-2039, ¶ 60.
R.C. 1.58 provides, in relevant part, the following:
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(A) The … amendment … of a statute does not, except as
provided in division (B) of this section:
…
(2) Affect any … right, privilege, obligation, or liability previously
acquired, accrued, accorded, or incurred thereunder;
…
(4) Affect any … proceeding, … in respect of any such
privilege, obligation, liability, penalty, forfeiture, or punishment;
and the … proceeding … may be instituted, continued, or
enforced, … as if the statute had not been repealed or
amended.
(B) If the penalty, forfeiture, or punishment for any offense is reduced
by a reenactment or amendment of a statute, the penalty, forfeiture,
or punishment, if not already imposed, shall be imposed according
to the statute as amended.
R.C. 1.58(A)(2), (A)(4), and (B).
{¶ 51} Under R.C. 1.58, “[w]hen a criminal statute is amended, ‘ “the substantive
provisions of the former law apply to all pending prosecutions, but the defendants receive
the benefit of a reduced ‘penalty, forfeiture, or punishment’ in the statute as
amended[.]” ’ ” State v. Parker, 1st Dist. Hamilton No. C-210440, 2022-Ohio-3831,
¶ quoting Hurt at ¶ 59, quoting State v. Solomon,
2012-Ohio-5755,
983 N.E.2d 872, ¶ 16
(1st Dist.). Accord State v. Terry,
2023-Ohio-2234,
220 N.E.3d 938, ¶ 26 (9th Dist.);
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Degahson at ¶ 22. “ ‘[A] statute is substantive if it impairs or takes away vested rights,
affects an accrued substantive right, imposes new or additional burdens, duties,
obligations, or liabilities as to a past transaction, or creates a new right.’ ” State v.
Williams, 129 Ohio St.3d 344,
2011-Ohio-3374,
952 N.E.2d 1108, ¶ 9, quoting Pratte v.
Stewart,
125 Ohio St.3d 473,
2010-Ohio-1860,
929 N.E.2d 415, ¶ 37. In contrast,
remedial laws “ ‘affect[ ] only the remedy provided, and include laws that merely substitute
a new or more appropriate remedy for the enforcement of an existing right.’ ”
Id., quoting
Pratte at ¶ 37.
{¶ 52} R.C. 2945.73(C) deals with a substantive right of the accused. See State
v. Westbrook, 47 Ohio App.2d 211,
353 N.E.2d 637 (10th Dist.1975). Specifically, the
statute “create[s] … a right to dismissal which will bar further prosecution upon the
charge.” State v. Baker, 10th Dist. Franklin No. 96APC11-1468,
1997 WL 253834, *2
(May 15, 1995), citing Westbrook (finding “a right to a discharge constituting a bar to
further prosecution upon the charge obviously is a substantive right”). The recent
amendment to R.C. 2945.73 affects this right since the statute now provides that criminal
charges shall be dismissed with prejudice only if the defendant’s case is not tried within
a 14-day grace period or other longer period if extended in some way by the accused.
{¶ 53} Given the substantive nature of R.C. 2945.73, R.C. 1.58 dictates that the
former version of the statute applies to Knott’s case. In other words, the amended
version that provides a 14-day grace period for holding trial does not apply here. Rather,
the former version applies, which provides for discharge of criminal liability if a defendant
is not brought to trial within the 270-day time limit set forth in R.C. 2945.71.
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{¶ 54} In this case, we have already determined that Knott was not brought to trial
within the 270-day limit. Accordingly, the trial court should have granted Knott’s motion
to dismiss on statutory speedy trial grounds and should have discharged Knott from
criminal liability pursuant to former R.C. 2945.73(B). Because Knott’s statutory speedy
trial rights were violated, it is unnecessary to rule upon the constitutional issues raised in
Knott’s assignment of error. See State v. Kaser, 5th Dist. Holmes No. CA-381, 1988 WL
38623, *5 (Apr. 19, 1988).
{¶ 55} Knott’s sole assignment of error is sustained.
Conclusion
{¶ 56} Having sustained Knott’s sole assignment of error, her judgment of
conviction for aggravated trafficking in drugs is vacated.
.............
LEWIS, J. and HUFFMAN, J., concur.
