Opinion ID: 2746353
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The Trial Judge’s Statements

Text: {¶ 144} The trial judge initially described Ohio’s bifurcated process for capital trials to the jurors during voir dire. The judge explained that if Thompson were convicted of the charges against him, he “could be sentenced to death or to other options of life imprisonment.” In light of the “possibility    that the death penalty could be, under certain circumstances, imposed,” the judge advised that she and counsel would inquire about the prospective jurors’ views on the death penalty. {¶ 145} Before questioning began, the judge emphasized that these voir dire inquiries about capital punishment in no way “impl[ied] that the defendant is guilty of the crime that is charged” or “presuppose[d] that a finding of guilt should be made in this case.” The judge explained, “If there is a conviction by the State proving that the defendant committed these crimes beyond a reasonable doubt, then there is a possibility that there will be a separate hearing, which we will call a sentencing hearing, where the jury will be called upon to make a determination regarding the sentencing.” (Emphasis added.) {¶ 146} With regard to scheduling, the trial judge informed the prospective jurors that the trial phase would begin the following week, and then said, “[I]f there’s a sentencing phase, [it] will begin on June 10th.” (Emphasis added.) Midway through the trial phase, someone apparently inquired about 38 January Term, 2014 whether the same schedule applied to alternate jurors. In response, the trial judge stated: Alternates, at this point, I think the question was raised, you are on the same schedule as these jurors for sequestration. You will remain jurors until they go to deliberate for a verdict. If we get to the second phase, you remain as a juror. And I’m glad that everyone is back, but we have a three-day weekend, and God forbid anything happens, but we will need you. And there will be a break then between this phase and the next phase. And you will remain part of the jury until we finish the second phase of the—get to that second phase. Thompson did not object.