Milligan Pusateri Partner Dan Eisenbrei secures reversal of murder conviction, paving way for new trial

On December 26, 2024, Ohio’s Ninth District Court Appeals reversed the criminal convictions of Sydney Powell, a young Akron woman and former University of Mount Union student, who was found guilty of murder and other charges in connection with her mother’s death in March of 2020. The case garnered national media attention.

Eisenbrei represented Powell in her appeal arguing that the trial court committed error by denying Powell’s trial counsel the opportunity to present rebuttal testimony on the issue of her Not Guilty By Reason of Insanity defense, on which Powell carried the burden of proof. The Court of Appeals agreed in a unanimous decision that allows for a new trial. You can read the court’s decision here: https://www.supremecourt.ohio.gov/rod/docs/pdf/9/2024/2024-Ohio-6013.pdf 

This case marks the latest appellate win for Milligan Pusateri attorneys.  Attorneys Eisenbrei and Haley Walker recently prevailed in the Supreme Court of Ohio where they represented a public school teacher in a case involving Ohio’s teacher evaluation requirements:  https://milliganpusateri.com/milligan-pusateri-lawyers-prevail-for-client-in-supreme-court-of-ohio/