Our Spring Training seminar will focus on a variety of topics including a study of the “Tiger King” trial; improving your trial with presentation technology; an overview of the Ohio Narcotics Intelligence Center; a SANE case study including a survivor’s story on the processes involved with a sexual assault trail; a look at identifying and prosecuting corruption and 501(C)(4) corporations; a prosecutor’s guide to the laws involved with the Ohio Emergency Management System; an overview of recent changes with the Ohio Law Enforcement Gateway system and the audit process for prosecutors and their statutory clients; and a look at plea agreements including pitfalls of the plea process.  We hope to see you there!

Downloadable agenda and registration form (.pdf)

The Sheraton has granted OPAA an extension on our cutoff date to Monday, April 18!

Thursday, April 28th

8:00 - 9:00                   Registration and Continental Breakfast

9:00 – 10:30                 The Tiger King Trial: Murder for Hire, the Prosecution of Joseph Maldonado-Passage
Tiger King was the number one rated show on Netflix drawing over 34 million viewers in its first 10 days. However, the documentary reveals only part of the story. In this interactive presentation attendees will learn the complete story of the trial of Joseph Maldonado-Passage for two counts of murder for hire in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1958 (a) and several wildlife offenses. We will examine the trial testimony and discuss the prosecution attempts to use other acts evidence to show defendant’s other attempts to solicit a “hit” on Carole Baskin, their attempt to protect the identity of the undercover FBI agent, and their efforts to prevent the defense from introducing evidence that someone else had committed these offenses. Attendees will review defense attempts to dismiss the indictment and prevent the joinder of wildlife offenses with the murder charge. Attendees will also discuss how to impeach the victim, Carole Baskin, the informant, James Garretson, and the hit man, Allen Glover. We will discuss the strength of the government’s case, the theme of the government’s case, possible defenses such as entrapment, defense strategy at trial, and whether there was sufficient evidence to support the jury’s verdict. The goal of this seminar is to learn various criminal rules, evidentiary rules, defenses, and trial strategy while reviewing this fascinating trial.
Philip Bogdanoff
Retired Career Prosecutor

10:30 – 10:45               Break

10:45 - 11:45               Tech Tips for Trials
Law school teaches us to be lawyers, but it doesn’t teach us to use technology.  Some attorneys find their computers to be intimidating.  But you don’t need to be a hacker to harness the enormous power at your fingertips. This presentation will reveal powerful functions of the software that is already on your computer.  It will introduce advanced techniques that use free-to-download software.  And you will see real-life examples of how these tools can make a difference at trial.
Drew Wood, Assistant Attorney General
Special Prosecutions
Office of Attorney General Dave Yost

11:45 – 12:15               BCI Initiatives Update for Prosecutors
The Attorney General’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation provides assistance to the Justice System on a daily basis.  This training will provide prosecutor’s and assistant prosecutors an update on National Integrated Ballistic Information Network and the impact this will have on the prosecution of cases involving crime guns and gun violence. He will also update attendees on the utilization of the MX908 Rapid Drug Testing machine that will change the way that drug cases are investigated, indicted and tried.  The AG will explain the pilot program currently in use and the assistance that is being offered by BCI Agents, BCI forensic scientists and the assistant attorneys general in the Special Prosecution Section.
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost

12:15 – 1:15                 Lunch (with the OPAIA investigators)

1:15 - 2:15                   Narcotics Investigation Support - Tools and Resources: The Ohio Narcotics Intelligence Center (with OPAIA investigators)
An overview for prosecutors and investigators of the Ohio Narcotics Intelligence Center, their capabilities to assist in both investigation and prosecution in many areas (including cryptocurrency and dark web matters), analytical and forensic support, their state of the art tools and intelligence resources, and court room testimony. They will provide examples of various reports they can produce that will aid investigators and prosecutors in bringing suspects to justice.
Brandon Gardner, Administrator of the North Offices and
Douglas Kinder, Intelligence Manager
Ohio Narcotics Intelligence Center
Ohio Department of Public Safety
                                                           
2:15 - 2:30                   Break

2:30 - 3:30                   Start by Believing: A Survivor Centered Approach / SANE
I believe you. These three small words can make all the difference to a survivor of sexual assault. They often face disbelief and blame when they disclose the assault, decreasing the chances that they will seek help. Survivors have power and control taken away from them when violence occurs. It’s important that all disciplines provide opportunities for survivors to re-establish power by deciding if they want to pursue an investigation. This is an important part of healing for a survivor. We hope that this presentation can highlight the ways that a multidisciplinary approach through investigation to trial can work to empower the survivor and benefit them throughout the entire recovery process.
Amber
Leslie B. Potterton, RN, SANE-A
Sergeant David D. Pelphrey, Columbus Police Department

3:30 – 3:45                   Break

3:45 – 4:45                   SANE Case Study continues…

Friday, April 29th

8:00 - 9:00                   Registration and Continental Breakfast

9:00 - 10:00                 The Good the Bad and the Illegal” of 501(c)(4)s and How They Impact State and Federal Corruption Cases.  
This presentation will feature an in-depth look at 501(C)(4) including proper use, illegal use, state and federal corruption, and investigation techniques to successfully prosecute corruption cases. 
David DeVillers, Partner
Barnes and Thornburg, LLP
Columbus, Ohio

10:00 - 10:15               Break

10:15 - 11:15               A Prosecutor’s Guide to Ohio’s Emergency Management Agency
A basic overview of Ohio’s Emergency Management Agency and emergency management laws as they relate between state and county government under Chapter 5502, the requirements and consequences of a declaration of a state of emergency, the roles of and responsibilities  of Ohio EMA and the county prosecutor in an emergency, and other     emergency-related issues requiring the county prosecutor’s involvement.
Anne Vitale, Associate Legal Counsel, Ohio Emergency Management Agency
Josh D. Vittie, MPA, Planner, Ohio Emergency Management Agency and
Steven Barnett, Carroll County Prosecutor

11:15 - 12:15               OLEG System and Audit Insights
An overview of the Ohio Law Enforcement Gateway, its current offerings, and what is considered misuse of the data and system keeping prosecutors and their staff from a felony conviction!
Nathan Andears, OHLEG Quality Assurance
Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation
Office of Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost

12:15 – 1:15                 Lunch

1:15 – 2:15                   Plea Agreements
The vast majority of criminal cases are resolved through guilty and no contest pleas.    This presentation will provide an overview to the plea process under Ohio law with  an emphasis on landmines and pitfalls to avoid. Among the topics will be: stating the terms of the plea agreement; whether there are factual-basis requirements for the plea; and the needed advisements at the plea hearing.
Steven L. Taylor
OPAA Legal Research and Staff Counsel

We have received approval for 10 hours of general CLE from the Supreme Court of Ohio Commission on Continuing Legal Education.