The Ohio Court of Appeals has affirmed the conviction of Alisa Gardner for violating a civil stalking protection order against Terri Hammond. The court ruled on May 29, 2026, in appeal number C-250629, stating that any errors during the trial were harmless and that the evidence supported the conviction. This decision impacts Gardner, who had been found guilty of sending harassing messages to Hammond after a protection order was issued.
The case began after Gardner's relationship with David Watkins ended, leading to a series of harassing messages sent by Gardner to Hammond, who subsequently began dating Watkins. After years of harassment, Hammond sought a civil stalking protection order against Gardner, which was granted in August 2025. Following the issuance of the order, Gardner allegedly continued to contact Hammond through a fake Facebook account. The trial court found Gardner guilty after a bench trial, leading to her appeal.
During the trial, evidence was presented that Gardner had been served with the protection order on August 12, 2025. Just days later, on August 15, Hammond reported to the police that she had received messages from a Facebook account named "Lisa Lee," which she identified as Gardner's. The court heard testimony from multiple witnesses, including Hammond, who testified that Gardner had a distinct emoji she used in messages, which was present in communications from the fake account.
The court's ruling focused on the evidence presented during the trial, including witness testimonies that established Gardner's identity as the person behind the messages. The appeals court noted that the trial court's decision was consistent with the manifest weight of the evidence, affirming the lower court's findings.
Judge Nestor, writing for the court, stated, "We hold that any evidentiary errors at the trial were harmless and that Gardner’s conviction was consistent with the manifest weight of the evidence." The judgment of the trial court was affirmed, meaning Gardner's conviction stands.
The case highlights the importance of protection orders in safeguarding individuals from harassment and stalking. It also underscores the legal consequences of violating such orders, which can result in criminal charges and convictions. The ruling serves as a reminder of the legal protections available to victims of stalking and harassment.
Moving forward, this ruling may influence similar cases involving protection orders and the enforcement of such orders in Ohio. It reinforces the principle that violations of protection orders can lead to serious legal repercussions.
As for Gardner, the court's decision can be appealed to a higher court, but details regarding any potential further legal action were not available in the court filing. The outcome of this case may also set a precedent for future cases involving stalking and harassment in Ohio.