Criminal Law

The Supreme Court of Ohio affirmed the dismissal of a habeas corpus petition filed by an inmate whose death sentence was commuted to life without parole, holding that the governor’s clemency did not create a void sentence and that the inmate had not shown his sentence had expired or that the trial court lacked jurisdiction.

The Court of Appeals affirmed the conviction of the Defendant for assault on a peace officer, rejecting claims that the State’s failure to preserve additional surveillance footage violated Brady or Crim.R. 16 and concluding that the trial court did not err in excluding irrelevant evidence through motions in limine.

The Court of Appeals of Ohio affirmed the conviction of the Defendant for aggravated possession of methamphetamine, holding that the trial court properly advised the Defendant of post-release control during sentencing. The case clarifies compliance with statutory requirements for notifying offenders about post-release control.

The appellate court affirmed the trial court’s denial of the Defendant’s motion to withdraw his guilty plea to charges of domestic violence and assault, concluding the plea was knowingly and voluntarily entered and supported by a sufficient factual basis.

The First District Court of Appeals of Ohio affirmed the denial of a motion for leave to file a new trial based on newly discovered evidence, finding that the Defendant failed to prove he was unavoidably prevented from discovering his codefendant’s confession within the required time.

The Court of Appeals of Ohio reversed a misdemeanor conviction against the Defendant for permitting cattle to run at large, finding that the trial court failed to establish the requisite mental state of recklessness necessary for conviction under R.C. 951.02.

The Defendant appealed the denial of her motion for substitute counsel prior to pleading guilty to 14 counts of child endangerment; the appellate court affirmed the trial court’s ruling, finding no abuse of discretion.