Opinion ID: 2756888
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Trial results and the mitigation hearing

Text: {¶ 11} At trial, Herring was convicted of three counts of complicity to commit aggravated murder, two counts of attempted aggravated murder, two counts of aggravated robbery, and firearm specifications. 94 Ohio St.3d at 248249, 762 N.E.2d 940. As to Count One, the murder of Jones, the jury found Herring not guilty as the principal offender but guilty as an accomplice. Herring 3 SUPREME COURT OF OHIO was also found guilty of three course-of-conduct death-penalty specifications that were attached to each of the murder counts, pursuant to R.C. 2929.04(A)(5). Id. at 249. {¶ 12} During the mitigation hearing, trial counsel presented evidence showing that Herring’s accomplices did not receive the death penalty. The defense also presented the testimony of Deborah Herring, the defendant’s mother, and Nicole Herring, the defendant’s sister. {¶ 13} Deborah testified that Herring has six brothers and sisters. She testified that Herring had a good and loving relationship with his siblings and continues to stay in touch with them. Herring helped with chores and helped take care of his younger brothers and sisters when he was growing up. Deborah asked the jurors to spare her son’s life. {¶ 14} Nicole testified that Herring helped to take care of his younger brothers and sisters. She stated that she had a close relationship with Herring and that they did numerous things together. Finally, Nicole asked the jury to spare her brother’s life. {¶ 15} On rebuttal, Timothy Franken, an assistant prosecuting attorney, testified that Antwan Jones, one of the accomplices, was originally charged exactly the same as Herring. The death-penalty specifications, however, were voluntarily dismissed against Jones because the prosecutors did not think that they could prove them. Franken also testified that Adelbert Callahan was charged exactly the same as Herring, but Callahan could not receive the death penalty because he was a juvenile at the time of the crimes. Franken also mentioned that Eugene Foose, another accomplice, was a juvenile. The two other accomplices had had lesser culpability. Louis Allen did not shoot anyone; indeed, he ran away as soon as the shooting started. Kitwan Dalton, the getaway driver, neither entered the Newport Inn nor carried a weapon. 94 Ohio St.3d at 268, 762 N.E.2d 940. 4 January Term, 2014 {¶ 16} During closing arguments, trial counsel emphasized that Herring had been convicted as an aider or abettor and that he had been found not guilty as a principal offender in committing the murders. Trial counsel also argued regarding the disparity in sentencing that would exist if Herring were sentenced to death when the state had not pursued death sentences for his accomplices. In addition, counsel raised Herring’s youth as a mitigating factor; he was 18 at the time of the offenses. {¶ 17} After the mitigation hearing, the jury recommended death for all three aggravated murders. The trial court sentenced Herring to death. Id. at 249. {¶ 18} On February 27, 2002, this court affirmed Herring’s convictions and death sentence. Id. at 269. The United States Supreme Court denied certiorari. Herring v. Ohio, 537 U.S. 917, 123 S.Ct. 301, 154 L.Ed.2d 202 (2002).