State v. Grinnell
Ohio Court of Appeals
678 N.E.2d 231 (1996)
- Written by Sharon Feldman, JD
Facts
Timothy Grinnell (defendant) was involved in a prison riot instigated by a group of prisoners. During the riot, Grinnell operated the console that opened the doors to the cells of a prison block. Opening cell doors allowed a group of inmates into the cells of prisoners thought to be informers. Two inmates were beaten to death. Grinnell was charged with aggravated murder in connection with the inmates’ deaths. Two inmates testified on Grinnell’s behalf that Grinnell was threatened and ordered to work the console. Other inmates testified that Grinnell instructed inmates to act as guards and clean up the areas where inmates had been beaten, ordered where inmates and corrections officers should be held, and refused to open the door to a particular cell. Grinnell was convicted and argued on appeal that the trial court should have instructed the jury that duress is a defense to murder.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Bowman, J.)
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