State v. Williams

Quillin, Judge.

A jury found defendant, John J. Williams IV, guilty of assault, a first degree misdemeanor (R.C. 2903.13), but acquitted him of aggravated burglary (R.C. 2911.11). Defendant appeals, contending that the trial court erred (1) by denying his request for an independent handwriting expert, and (2) by excluding testimony concerning the motives and intent of the complaining witness. Because the second claim has merit, we reverse.

An Elyria police officer told defendant that defendant’s apartment had been burglarized. After checking his apartment to see what was missing, defendant went…