Coleman Asks Ohio Supreme Court to Reopen Appeal

A pro se murder-appeal filing and a sanctions appeal over AI-generated errors both reach the state's highest court.

Updated on Nov. 7, 2026 in Criminal Justice

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a neoclassical courthouse facade with columns and a flagpole against a muted sky, in navy, cream, and oxblood. — Malikhi Coleman, sentenced to 37.5 years for a 2022 murder, asked the Ohio Supreme Court on Monday to reopen his appeal, which he says was poorly handled. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Malikhi Coleman, sentenced to 37.5 years in 2024 for the 2022 murder of Fredrick Johnson, filed a pro se appeal with the Ohio Supreme Court on Monday seeking to reopen his appeal. Separately, attorney William Norman appealed sanctions imposed by the Eleventh District Court of Appeals over AI hallucinations in a filing.

Why it matters

Coleman's appeal argues he was denied effective assistance of appellate counsel after his initial appeal was rejected in early 2025. Norman's case raises questions about the Supreme Court's role in disciplining attorneys who submit AI-generated errors in court filings.

Coleman's murder conviction and 37.5-year sentence remain in place while his pro se appeal is pending before the Ohio Supreme Court. Norman's sanctions appeal is opposed by the Ashtabula County Prosecutor's Office and supported in an amicus brief by the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor's Office.

The players

Malikhi Coleman

Coleman is a convicted murderer sentenced to the maximum 37.5 years in prison for the 2022 killing of Fredrick Johnson.

William Norman

Norman is an attorney sanctioned by the Eleventh District Court of Appeals for AI hallucinations in a court filing.

Ohio Supreme Court

The Ohio Supreme Court is the state's highest court, which hears both Coleman's pro se appeal and Norman's sanctions appeal.

The details

Coleman was convicted of the 2022 murder of Fredrick Johnson. Norman filed a motion to reopen Coleman's appeal that contained AI hallucinations; his application was stricken and the Eleventh District imposed sanctions, which Norman now challenges by arguing only the Ohio Supreme Court can discipline attorneys.

2022: Murder of Fredrick Johnson occurs.
2024: Coleman is sentenced to 37.5 years in prison.
Early 2025: Coleman's initial appeal is rejected.
Later 2025: Norman files a motion to reopen Coleman's appeal.
Monday, November 2, 2026: Coleman files his pro se appeal with the Ohio Supreme Court.

Legal Context

Courts across the country have increasingly sanctioned attorneys for submitting AI-generated filings containing fabricated citations. Norman's challenge tests whether state supreme courts or lower appellate courts hold the authority to discipline such conduct.

Attorneys and litigants filing in Ohio courts face sanctions for AI-generated errors, which may affect how filings are prepared. Residents of Ashtabula and Cuyahoga counties will see the outcome of prosecutors' positions in these appeals.

The takeaway

Courts are setting clear expectations that attorneys must verify AI-assisted filings before submission. Whether the Ohio Supreme Court affirms the sanctions will define how that duty is enforced statewide.