State v. Ketterer

In State v. Ketterer, 111 Ohio St.3d 70, 2006 Ohio 5283, 855 N.E.2d 48, the Ohio Supreme Court reviewed a defendant's claim the trial court did not adequately inform him of his rights. Ketterer cited State v. Jells (1990), 53 Ohio St.3d 22, 559 N.E.2d 464, wherein paragraph one of the syllabus, the court held there was no requirement for a trial court to interrogate a defendant in order to determine whether he or she is fully apprised of the right to a jury trial. The Ketterer court explained the trial court was not required to specifically advise the defendant on the need for jury unanimity, Ketterer, supra at paragraph 68., citing State v. Bays (1999), 87 Ohio St.3d 15, 1999 Ohio 216, 716 N.E.2d 1126, which in turn cited United States v. Martin (C.A.6 1983), 704 F.2d 267. In Bays, the Supreme Court held "a defendant need not have a complete or technical understanding of the jury trial right in order to knowingly and intelligently waive it," Ketterer, paragraph 68.