State v. Pigg, 2013 Ohio 4722

Pigg was charged with Assault in 2012 in Montgomery County, Ohio.
Attorney Katherine Moellman represented Pigg and decided not to issue subpoenas after reviewing discovery and meeting with him.
On trial day, Pigg moved for a continuance because subpoenaed witnesses had not appeared; the court denied the motion.
The trial court found Pigg guilty of Assault and sentenced him to 60 days with 16 days credit and 2 years probation.
The underlying incident occurred at Mary Avenue Park involving Pigg, 14-year-old M.B., and her younger brothers L.T. and K.T., with racial slurs and physical contact alleged.
Pigg’s account or defense claimed the minors were aggressors; he asserted any contact with M.B. was unintentional and he sought to avoid trouble.

Issue	Plaintiff's Argument	Defendant's Argument	Held
Whether the trial court abused its discretion by denying continuance	Pigg's witnesses were not available; a continuance was warranted to secure testimony.	Continuance denied despite missing witnesses; denial prejudiced defense.	No abuse; denial proper under Unger balancing.
Whether the evidence was sufficient to sustain a conviction for assault	State showed Pigg knowingly caused physical harm to M.B. during the altercation.	State failed to prove knowingly caused or attempted to cause physical harm.	Sufficient evidence supported conviction.
Whether trial counsel was ineffective for not raising self-defense	Self-defense was a viable theory given the circumstances.	No reasonable belief of imminent danger; no need to argue self-defense.	Counsel not ineffective; self-defense not established.
Whether the verdict was against the manifest weight of the evidence	Evidence supported conviction; credibility favorable to State.	Evidence did not compel a conviction; weight favors defense.	Not against the weight; conviction affirmed.

State v. Unger, 67 Ohio St.2d 65 (Ohio Supreme Court 1981) (continuance decisions reviewed for abuse of discretion)