On Wednesday, September 17, 2025, Shawn Ford Jr. filed a complaint for writs of mandamus and procedendo in the Supreme Court of Ohio, seeking to compel Judge Richard McMonagle of the Summit County Court of Common Pleas to issue a final appealable order in his capital case. Ford’s legal representation is being provided by the Ohio Public Defender, specifically Adam D. Vincent.
The case in question is State of Ohio v. Shawn Ford, Jr., Case No. CR-2013-04-1008-A, which is before Judge McMonagle following a remand from the Supreme Court on direct review. Ford was initially sentenced to death on June 29, 2015, but that sentence was later vacated, and the case was sent back to the lower court for further proceedings related to Ford’s intellectual disability under the Atkins standard.
According to the complaint, after further proceedings, Judge McMonagle denied relief under Atkins on February 3, 2025. Subsequently, on August 6, 2025, Judge McMonagle issued a “Judgment Entry & Sentence” resentencing Ford to death.
Ford’s complaint alleges that Judge McMonagle’s “Judgment Entry & Sentence” is deficient because it fails to meet the requirements of Ohio Revised Code 2929.03(F) and Criminal Rule 32(C). Specifically, the complaint asserts that Judge McMonagle did not state specific findings regarding mitigating factors as required by R.C. 2929.03(F) and failed to separately enter a judgment of conviction as required by Crim.R. 32(C).
Ford argues that these defects render the “Judgment Entry & Sentence” not a final appealable order, preventing him from properly appealing his capital sentence. He claims he has no other adequate remedy to obtain a final appealable order from Judge McMonagle. Therefore, Ford is seeking writs of mandamus and procedendo to compel Judge McMonagle to file a final appealable order that complies with both R.C. 2929.03(F) and Crim.R. 32(C).
Ford is currently incarcerated on death row at Ross Correctional Institution and is considered indigent.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
