Ealey v. State

Phipps, Presiding Judge.

After a stipulated bench trial, Val Ealey was convicted of trafficking in cocaine, possession of marijuana, and exceeding the speed limit. Ealey appeals, asserting that his waiver of the right to a *894jury trial was ineffective because it was not voluntary. Specifically, he argues that the court coerced him into waiving his jury trial right by promising him a lighter sentence and an appeal bond if he opted for the bench trial. Under the circumstances presented in this case, we hold that the waiver was not voluntary and the trial court’s finding that the waiver was valid…