State v. Comer

Francis E. Sweeney, Sr., J.

{¶ 1} In July 1999, a jury convicted appellant, Jerry Comer Jr., for murder and aggravated robbery, both committed in November 1997. The trial court imposed consecutive sentences of 15 years to life for the murder and 7 years for the aggravated robbery. Rather than state its findings or reasons for the sentences at the sentencing hearing, the court later explained in a journal entry:

{¶ 2} “The Court finds pursuant to R.C. 2929.14(B) that the shortest prison term possible will demean the seriousness of the offense AND will not adequately protect the public and…