Overview
- On Feb. 11, the Ohio Supreme Court heard arguments on whether Leander Bissell’s conduct met the felony‑murder standard in the 2022 death of Cleveland firefighter Johnny Tetrick.
- Cuyahoga County prosecutors urged reinstatement of the murder conviction, with support from Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost as Deputy Solicitor General Jana Bosch argued the appeals court applied the wrong standard.
- Prosecutors said Bissell drove around police cruisers at roughly 49 mph, hit Tetrick, then fled, contending those actions showed acceptance of a likely risk of death or serious harm.
- Defense attorney Timothy Sweeney maintained the case shows recklessness rather than murder, noting about 30 drivers had previously bypassed the roadblock without injuring anyone.
- The Eighth District Court of Appeals overturned the 2023 felony‑murder verdict and entered involuntary manslaughter, citing no evidence Bissell knowingly used his vehicle as a weapon, and the high court’s decision remains pending.