State v. Brooks

Summary

The court held that the amended self-defense statute applies to every trial held on or after March 28, 2019, regardless of when the alleged conduct occurred. It further held that applying the amendment does not violate Ohio's prohibition on retroactive laws or the federal Ex Post Facto Clause because the amendment changes the burden of proof at trial without creating a crime or increasing punishment. The judgment was reversed and the case was remanded for the court of appeals to determine whether Brooks was entitled to assert self-defense.