Ohio Supreme Court, 1984

The court held that summary judgment for the appellees was proper on both negligence and strict-liability theories. The appellees lacked knowledge, actual or reasonably foreseeable, that the compressed-air system would be used for breathing, and the system was designed for the use disclosed to them: powering air…

The court affirmed Maurer’s aggravated-murder conviction and death sentence, rejecting his challenges to Ohio’s death-penalty scheme and his claims of trial error. It held that the kidnapping specification was adequately narrowed by requiring restraint or movement significant apart from the murder, and independently…

The Ohio Supreme Court held that the prosecutor’s rebuttal remarks were improper and prejudicial because they went beyond the evidence, disparaged the defense, and accused defense counsel of manufacturing lies without evidentiary support.

The court reversed the court of appeals, concluding that the trial court’s findings on the bid affidavit, compliance with the city charter, coal quality, and the city’s damages claim were supported by competent, credible evidence.