State v. Boone, 2024 Ohio 6116

Heather Boone was indicted on eight counts of rape involving the sexual abuse of her minor daughter over ten years, as well as other related charges.
Boone entered a guilty plea to amended charges: four counts of endangering children, one count of sexual battery, and one count of attempted rape, after agreeing to testify against her co-defendant.
The plea agreement did not include a sentencing recommendation but resulted in dismissal of the most serious charges (those carrying potential life sentences).
Boone was sentenced to an aggregate minimum term of 33 years and a maximum term of 37 years, with all sentences to run consecutively.
Her co-defendant, who also pled guilty to several charges including rape, received a shorter sentence (19 to 24.5 years).
Boone appealed, raising claims regarding the voluntariness of her plea, alleged ineffective assistance of counsel, and that her sentence was contrary to law.

Issue	Plaintiff's Argument	Defendant's Argument	Held
Voluntariness of Plea	Boone knew, understood, and voluntarily entered her plea	Plea was not knowing/voluntary due to expectation of a lesser sentence	Plea was valid and voluntary
Ineffective Assistance of Counsel	Counsel was effective, achieved reduction of charges	Counsel failed to secure a plea with a guaranteed lesser sentence	No ineffective assistance; no prejudice
Sentencing Contrary to Law	Sentence was within statutory range and properly reasoned	Consecutive and disproportionate to co-defendant	Sentencing complied with law
Disparity with Co-defendant's Sentence	No requirement for equal sentences for co-defendants	Sentence unfairly severe compared to co-defendant	Sentencing disparity permissible

State v. Veney, 120 Ohio St. 3d 176 (Ohio 2008) (standards for voluntariness of guilty pleas)
State v. Foster, 109 Ohio St. 3d 1 (Ohio 2006) (trial court's discretion in felony sentencing)
State v. Gwynne, 2023-Ohio-3851 (Ohio 2023) (review standards for appellate modification of sentences)