State v. Jones

Citations

• 2022 Ohio 2270

Syllabus

Manifest weight of the evidence witness intimidation impact of spectator's actions on trial Crim.R. 52(B) plain error R.C. 2945.29 Crim.R. 24(G) removal of juror from deliberations Reagan Tokes Law. Judgment is affirmed. The convictions are not against the weight of the evidence because two witnesses separately identified the appellant as the shooter. The trial court did not abuse its discretion by admitting testimony that witnesses feared retaliation and had received threats shortly before testifying, as well as a photo taken during trial identifying appellant by a nickname known to the witnesses. The trial court instructed the jury to consider this evidence solely for the purposes of credibility and identification. The trial court also did not commit plain error by removing a juror for confrontational behavior toward other jurors during jury deliberations. The Reagan Tokes Law is constitutional. Therefore, appellant's sentence under the Reagan Tokes Law is valid.