Ealey v. State

This record shows that the trial court offered Ealey a sentence of ten years to serve, a fine, and a supersedeas bond if he waived his right to a jury trial. But this record also shows, beyond any dispute, that the trial court never threatened Ealey with a heavier sentence if he proceeded to a jury trial. On the contrary, the trial court said only that if a jury found him guilty, the trial court “[could] take into consideration other factors” and that “the maximum you could get could be ... 41 years.” After an extensive discussion, Ealey agreed to a bench trial, and the trial court proceeded…