Faulty Jury Instructions Led to Barker’s Successful Appeal

Katie Inglis and Ilana Kramer, Managing Editor and Editor In Chief
February 14, 2012
Filed under Campus and City

Adrian Barker’s (’06) successful appeal hinged on what the court termed “poor jury instruction.” In Barker’s case this expression means that the judge failed to explain to the jury the options other than murder for Barker’s conviction.

The appeals court ruled that the judge should have instructed the jury on the options of assault, involuntary manslaughter and reckless homicide, all of which carry lighter sentences than the 15 years to life in prison that Barker received when convicted for murder.

This reversal does not mean Barker is free. He remains incarcerated for tampering with evidence. The Portage County prosecutor has also indicated he will appeal the reversal to the Ohio Supreme Court.