State v. Abaya

Summary

The Sixth District Court of Appeals of Ohio affirmed Amanda C. Abaya’s convictions and concurrent prison sentences for aggravated trafficking in drugs and possession of a fentanyl-related compound. The court held that the trial court did not violate Abaya’s right of allocution under Ohio Criminal Rule 32(A)(1), because both her counsel and Abaya were given opportunities to address mitigation and the court’s comments did not prevent her from speaking.

Holdings

1. The trial court did not violate Abaya's right to allocution because it afforded both her counsel and Abaya an opportunity to speak before imposing sentence and did not prevent her from speaking in support of mitigation.

Questions Presented

1. Whether the trial court violated Abaya's right to allocution under Ohio Crim.R. 32(A)(1) by redirecting her from logistical questions about medical treatment and by interrupting her during sentencing.

Disposition

affirmed