City of Zanesville v. Johnson, Unpublished Decision (2-28-2002)
City of Zanesville v. Johnson, Unpublished Decision (2-28-2002)
Opinion of the Court
ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR
WHETHER A CO-DEFENDANT IN A MISDEMEANOR TRIAL HAS A RIGHT TO A SEPARATE TRIAL FROM THAT OF A CO-DEFENDANT NOT REPRESENTED BY COUNSEL, WHEN THE CO-DEFENDANT NOT REPRESENTED BY COUNSEL MAKES ADMISSIONS AT TRIAL THAT COULD AFFECT THE OUTCOME OF THAT TRIAL.
Appellant Cynthia Johnson was tried with her two co-defendants, Stephanie Jones and Zaire Clark. Appellant and Jones were charged with two counts of assault and Clark was charged with three. Clark was not represented by legal counsel, but testified on her own behalf. All three co-defendants were found guilty of all the charges against them.
Appellant argues her case should not have been joined with her co-defendants because Clark, who was not represented by counsel, made some admissions during the trial which appellant urges could have influenced the court in making a decision.
Crim. R. 14 provides that if it appears one of the parties is prejudiced by a joinder of offenses or defendants, then the court shall order a separate trial or provide such other relief as required by the interests of justice.
Appellant concedes her counsel did not request a separate trial although she asserts she asked counsel to do so.
In State v. Thomas (1980),
We find the court did not err in joining appellant's trial with those of her co-defendants.
The assignment of error is overruled.
For the foregoing reasons, the judgment of the Municipal Court of Zanesville, Muskingum County, Ohio, is affirmed, and the cause is remanded to that court for execution of sentence.
By Gwin, P.J., Wise, J., and Edwards, J., concur
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