Wrongly Convicted. Acquitted in Re-Trial.
On June 8, 2021, Tyler Wilson pulled into a Shell Gas Station in Clark County, Ohio at 7:00 a.m. Moments later, another driver began a confrontation after pulling up next to Tyler’s car. The confrontation ended with Tyler Wilson firing a single shot out the window of his vehicle at the other man. Tyler would later testify that he fired that single shot in self-defense and in defense of his passenger after the man threatened Tyler’s life and brandished a handgun.
On October 21, 2021, Tyler - represented by a different attorney at the time - was convicted of Felonious Assault with two gun specifications. He was sentenced to the maximum possible term in prison, which was 16-20 years.
His case was appealed, and went all the way to the Supreme Court. Attorney Kate Bowling represented Tyler Wilson at the Supreme Court, arguing that his former trial Counsel was ineffective for errors made regarding Ohio’s Self Defense Laws and how they should have been applied to Tyler’s case. See more information regarding this Supreme Court case here.
The Supreme Court of Ohio reversed Tyler’s conviction and ordered a new trial. For three years, Wilson waited in prison while his appeals were decided.
On August 12, 2024, Wilson was tried for a second time, this time represented in trial by Attorney Kate Bowling. With the Supreme Court’s decision that he was entitled to assert his self-defense claim and have the jury instructed on the law of self defense, the second trial was both full and fair. Tyler testified as to the events of June 8, 2021, as did the alleged victim.
After three years in prison, Tyler was acquitted in just under one hour.
This case is an important reminder of just how delicate our justice system can be. As trial Counsel, we are responsible for maintaining a deep understanding of the law and how it should be applied to each case. It is often the job of trial counsel to be prepared to guide and persuade the Court regarding the most current status of the law as well.
Yesterday Tyler Wilson was serving 16-20 years in prison. Today, he’s home.