State v. Kennard

Citations

• 2022 Ohio 2055

Syllabus

The trial court's findings that appellant had committed domestic violence and assault were supported by sufficient evidence and were not against the manifest weight of the evidence after merger of the offenses, appellant was properly convicted of domestic violence. Appellant's claim that his trial counsel provided ineffective assistance by having him testify at trial lacks merit because such a decision is a matter of trial strategy that cannot form the basis of an ineffective assistance claim. Additionally, appellant's claim that his trial counsel was ineffective for failing to advise him of his right not to testify at trial is a matter outside the record that cannot be raised on direct appeal. Judgment affirmed.