Warren man’s conviction, sentence upheld
A Warren man who was found guilty by a Trumbull County jury in 2022 of illegal conveyance of drugs into the jail and possession of crack cocaine was denied June 30, 2023, by the 11th District Court of Appeals his appeal of conviction and subsequent prison sentence.
Case involved Ezara Shine Jr.
Ezara Shine Jr., 56, formerly of Jackson Street SW, was convicted on May 3, 2022, after a two-day trial in Common Pleas Court. He was sentenced to 30 months in prison by former Judge W. Wyatt McKay.
Shine’s attorney appealed to the appellate judges for relief from conviction claiming two errors by the court, one involving its denial to suppress evidence involving Shine’s statements to officers following his arrest on July 12, 2019.
As he was being processed into the jail, Shine had denied he was carrying drugs. The defendant claimed his Fifth Amendment rights were violated, but the appeals court found no such Miranda violation.
The second error cited by Shine’s attorney claimed the defendant was convicted by jurors despite the lack of evidence.
Defense attorney Michael Partlow claimed the contraband was not discovered by searches of arresting officers and a correction officer at the jail.
Why the higher court ruled against Ezara Shine Jr.
However the higher court pointed out that the plastic bag containing cocaine was later found by a detective after Shine had removed his shoes and socks.
“There was sufficient, credible circumstantial evidence that it was in appellant’s shoe when he entered the jail. The jury did not lose its way,” wrote Appeals Judge Eugene A. Lucci who was joined by colleagues Judges John J. Eklund and Matt Lynch in affirming Shine’s conviction and sentence.
Shine is incarcerated at Noble Correctional Institution. He is expected to be released in October 2024.
The case was argued before the 11th District panel by defense attorney Partlow of Stow and Trumbull County Assistant Prosecutor Ryan Sanders.
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