Nov. 20, 2024

Appeals court rejects officer’s request: The Vindicator
The 7th District Court of Appeals rejected a request from Michael Cox, a Youngstown police detective sergeant, to reconsider its dismissal of his case, which dates back to August 2018, against the city to require the civil service commission to grant a hearing to consider him for a promotion.

Ohio appeals court upholds Honzu conviction: Tribune Chronicle
The Ohio Eleventh District Court of Appeals upheld the conviction and prison sentence of a sexually violent predator in a 2022 attempted kidnapping case, according to court records.

Helping resolve non-violent arrest warrants in Franklin County: WCMH
A new program in Franklin County aims to help people with low-level, non-violent arrest warrants resolve their cases. Called the Tap In Center, the first official session was held Tuesday at the Whitehall branch of the Columbus Metropolitan Library.

Man who shot clerk in argument over buying cigar gets life in prison: Cleveland.com
A man who fatally shot a store clerk after becoming angry because the clerk questioned the condition of his money was sentenced Tuesday to life in prison.

Man sentenced to at least 14 years in deadly Dayton shooting: Dayton Daily News
A man found guilty of lesser charges will spend at least 14 years in prison for a deadly shooting in Dayton last year.

Ohio man sentenced to decades in prison for avenging his own shooting 7 months later: Columbus Dispatch
A man who waited seven months to exact revenge after being shot will spend more than three decades in prison.

Boardman man, victim agree to rape conviction, minimum prison sentence: The Vindicator
John D. Johnson, 36, of Shields Road in Boardman, pleaded guilty Monday to one count of rape and got 3 to 4 1/2 years in prison for raping a young woman Jan. 1, 2024, at his home.

Guilty plea to fatal 2021 shooting gets Reynoldsburg man more than 10 years in prison: Columbus Dispatch
A Reynoldsburg man who fatally shot another man more than three years ago in Columbus will spend more than a decade in prison.

Prosecutor seeks to move 3 teens to adult court in deadly Dayton break-in shooting: Dayton Daily News
The Montgomery County Prosecutor’s Office has filed to move three teenagers to adult court after a man died following a shooting during an attempted break-in at a Dayton residence last week.

 

Nov. 19, 2024

Ohio Supreme Court declines to rule on trans Ohioans' ability to change birth certificates: Columbus Dispatch
Transgender Ohioans face uncertainty about changing their birth certificates after the Ohio Supreme Court declined to rule on a case Tuesday.

Transgender woman's birth certificate change request unresolved after Ohio Supreme Court deadlock: WFMJ
The Ohio Supreme Court on Tuesday deadlocked on a decision that would have determined whether a transgender woman could change the sex marker on her birth certificate. The court's inability to reach a majority decision leaves the lower court ruling denying the request intact.

Grendell requests $300,000 from Geauga commissioners to fight disciplinary charges: Cleveland.com
Judge Timothy Grendell is prepared to ask the Geauga County commissioners for $300,000 for his legal fees in his fight to avoid being suspended from the bench.

Cincinnati attorney Clyde Bennett II accused of lying to judge, offering false evidence: Cincinnati Enquirer
Six years after being suspended for misconduct, prominent Cincinnati attorney Clyde Bennett II is facing allegations that he lied to a judge and filed misleading documents in a case involving a drug dealer.

Wrongful death lawsuit filed on behalf of 5-year-old Darnell Taylor: WBNS
A wrongful death lawsuit has been filed on behalf of the estate of Darnell Taylor, a 5-year-old boy who was killed earlier this year.

Cuyahoga County corrections officer who helped inmate toss bodily fluids on jail employees gets 6 months in jail: WKYC
A Cuyahoga County corrections officer will spend the next six months behind bars after pleading guilty to two misdemeanor charges of attempted harassment by inmate.

Boardman man, victim agree to rape conviction, minimum prison sentence: The Vindicator
John D. Johnson, 36, of Shields Road in Boardman, pleaded guilty Monday to one count of rape and got 3 to 4 1/2 years in prison for raping a young woman Jan. 1, 2024, at his home.

Jury finds man guilty of murder in Dayton shooting: Dayton Daily News
A 19-year-old man was found guilty in the death of a man who was shot during an argument in Dayton last year.

Prosecutor: Death penalty is ‘big stick’ for worst killers: The Vindicator
Surrounded by people wearing shirts advocating for the abolishment of Ohio’s death penalty, Trumbull County Prosecutor Dennis Watkins became animated in talking about Trumbull County death row inmate Stanley Adams last week before the Ohio Senate Judiciary Committee.

Bazetta sues county auditor: Tribune Chronicle
Township trustees at a special meeting Saturday authorized the township’s legal counsel to bring suit against Trumbull County Auditor Martha Yoder for what they say is her failure to comply with her statutory duties.

 

Nov. 18, 2024

Ohio Supreme Court Justice Melody J. Stewart to give John Brown Institute lecture in Akron: Akron Beacon Journal
Ohio Supreme Court Justice Melody J. Stewart will be the keynote speaker Tuesday at the second annual John Brown Institute Fall Lecture in Akron.

Common Pleas Court's 2025 projected budget drops to 2.8 percent increase: Toledo Blade
The Lucas County Common Pleas Court’s budget request has been narrowed to a 2.8 percent increase during the midst of recent disputes with county commissioners.

Judge dismisses charges against Lorain County prosecutor after key witness fails to show for hearing: Cleveland.com
A judge Friday dismissed felony charges against Lorain County Prosecutor J.D. Tomlinson that stemmed from an office romance.

Warren man faces life in murder: Tribune Chronicle
After a lengthy deliberation that began Thursday morning and resumed Friday, a Trumbull County jury returned a guilty verdict around 3 p.m. in the aggravated murder trial of a Warren man.

Stark County man to be sentenced today for the murder of Raychel Sheridan: Canton Repository
Sean Goe, who was found guilty of murdering his girlfriend Raychel Sheridan and dumping her body in a Canton park last summer, will be sentenced today in Stark County Common Pleas Court.

Cleveland Browns make new arguments in lawsuit tied to potential move to Brook Park: Cleveland.com
The Cleveland Browns on Friday made new arguments in a lawsuit over the franchise’s potential move from its lakefront stadium to Brook Park.

Father of kidnapped children sues Circle K: The Vindicator
The father of three sleeping children in the back of a minivan stolen from the parking lot of a Mahoning Avenue convenience store has sued the store chain.

 

Nov. 15, 2024

Supreme Court lets Yost reconsider rejection of proposal to end qualified immunity for police: Cleveland.com
Having been brushed back by the state Supreme Court, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost signaled he’d at least partially lift his political blockade against an effort to abolish qualified immunity – a legal doctrine that shields police officers who use lethal force.

Eminent domain for bike trail denied: The Vindicator
Judge Anthony D’Apolito and his magistrate have dismissed the eight lawsuits the Mill Creek MetroParks filed five years ago to acquire private land to build the final phase of its Bikeway in southern Mahoning County.

Jason Meade: Filings reveal judge's testy exchanges with prosecutors in first murder trial: Columbus Dispatch
New motions filed by attorneys representing a former Franklin County Sheriff's deputy accused of murder in an on-duty shooting revealed that the judge overseeing the case was forced to remind prosecutors several times during the trial to follow the law.

Alleged rape victim recants her testimony: The Vindicator
One of the witnesses in the Leonard L. Sykes rape trial Thursday, the alleged victim in the case, recanted her earlier allegations that Sykes engaged in sexual conduct with her.

Man who pleaded to molesting boy seeks to withdraw plea: Toledo Blade
Sentencing of a Maumee man who pleaded guilty last month to 10 charges arising from molesting a 6-year-old boy and recording the act was postponed Thursday after his lawyer said the man wishes to change his pleas.

Warren bar slaying trial continues: Tribune Chronicle
The jury in a Trumbull County aggravated murder trial will resume deliberations this morning after failing to reach a verdict late into Thursday afternoon.

DMAX shooting trial, Day 3: Decision now in jury’s hands: WDTN
The alleged gunman in the fatal May 2023 shooting at the Moraine DMAX took to the stand Thursday, claiming self-defense.

Was FirstEnergy a victim in HB 6 scandal? Judge will hear arguments in criminal case: Canton Repository
A Friday afternoon hearing in Summit County Common Pleas Court will address FirstEnergy's status as a victim in the House Bill 6 scandal.

North Ridgeville officers did not use unreasonable force in May 2024 police shooting, county prosecutor says: WEWS
The Lorain County Prosecutor's Office announced Thursday that two North Ridgeville police officers did not use unreasonable force when a man was fatally shot during a confrontation on May 8.

Police chief takes Village of Timberlake to court in lawsuit: WOIO
The police chief of a Lake County village is taking her employer to court over allegations of sex discrimination, discrimination based on religion, retaliation, and age discrimination.

 

Nov. 14, 2024

Last of 4 charged in case of Beavercreek girl beaten bloody with belt gets probation: Dayton Daily News
The last of four adults charged in the October 2021 beating of a 12-year-old Beavercreek girl with a metal-studded belt avoids jail.

Man sentenced for driving 124 mph, killing woman in Warren County crash: Cincinnati Enquirer
A Cincinnati man was sentenced Wednesday after he killed a woman in a Warren County crash on Interstate 71 last year.

Prosecutor to try again in deadlocked assault trial: The Vindicator
The Mahoning County Prosecutor’s Office is moving forward with prosecuting a Boardman man on a charge of felonious assault after a jury deadlocked on that charge at the end of his trial in September.

Sentencing continued for East Cleveland police officer found guilty of several charges: WOIO
An East Cleveland police officer found guilty of several criminal charges after a jury trial in Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas was scheduled to be sentenced Thursday; however, it was continued until January 2025.

City of Columbus sues smoke shop near Hilliard for repeat underage tobacco sales: WBNS
The City of Columbus sued the owners of a smoke shop near Hilliard, accusing the owners of years of illegal tobacco sales to underage consumers as well as violating the city's flavored tobacco ban earlier this year.

‘More important than ever’ to repeal Ohio’s same-sex marriage ban, lawmakers say: WCMH
Statehouse legislators say it’s “more important now than ever” to repeal Ohio’s dormant same-sex marriage ban, concerned it could be reenacted if the U.S. Supreme Court overturns marriage equality.

Stark County selects Massillon judge as 2024 Veteran of the Year: Massillon Independent
Massillon Municipal Court Judge Edward Elum recalls being a Notre Dame undergrad in the early 1970s when he made the call to join the U.S. Navy as a reservist.

 

Nov. 13, 2024

Withheld evidence in 1991 murder of 10-year-old girl could lead to new trial for accused: Cincinnati Enquirer
Another decades-old murder conviction could be overturned in Hamilton County because prosecutors didn't give defense lawyers potentially crucial evidence before the case went to a jury.

11 Investigates: Conviction tossed in assault case after judge accused of bias: WTOL
Sandusky County Court Judge Jon Ickes is facing a new allegation of judicial misconduct.

William Mozingo, who forcibly held woman in Akron shed, sentenced to 25 to 31½ years: Akron Beacon Journal
A 34-year-old man who has kidnapped and assaulted multiple women across Ohio in the last 15 years will serve the next quarter-century in prison.

Columbus man who committed 3 robberies, including one fatal, sentenced to 25 years: Columbus Dispatch
A Columbus man who committed three robberies over a period of several months, including two within a two-hour span and one which ended with another man dead, will spend at least 25 years in prison.

Centerville man whose 4-month-old son suffers brain bleed pleads guilty: Dayton Daily News
A Centerville man whose 4-month-old son suffered a brain bleed when he was injured in his care is facing at least two years in prison.

Child rape trial begins: The Vindicator
Leonard L. Sykes, 51, went on trial Tuesday on three counts of rape that could result in a life prison sentence if convicted. Sykes agreed to have his case heard by Judge Anthony Donofrio of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court without a jury.

Jury selection begins for Warren man accused of shooting and killing 20-year-old in bar fight: WFMJ
Jury selection began Tuesday for a Trumbull County man charged with the murder of 20-year-old Nathaniel Bradley in May. 

Wife, survivor file suit in golf course tragedy: The Vindicator
The wife and administrator of the estate of Brian Costantini and the man who was golfing with Costantini have sued the Mill Creek MetroParks, alleging negligence by the MetroParks for a tree falling on the golf cart the two men were in, killing Costantini.

 

Nov. 12, 2024

Ohio Supreme Court Unveils exhibit showcasing Tuskegee Airmen: Spectrum News
As Veterans Day approaches, the Ohio Supreme Court is shedding light on a group of African American military pilots and airmen who fought in World War 2.

Vandalia company creates Supreme Court’s new art exhibits honoring military justices, Tuskegee Airmen: Dayton Daily News
The Supreme Court of Ohio’s Visitor Education Center’s new exhibits concerning military justices and the Tuskegee Airmen were created by Vandalia-based Exhibit Concepts.

New re-entry program for youth aims to reduce recidivism: Spectrum News
Franklin County is expanding its efforts to help youth get back on track through a new program focused on re-entry efforts for youth leaving detention centers.

‘Forgot to do what I was supposed to’: Judge’s error ends in overturned murder conviction: Cincinnati Enquirer
A man who was sentenced for fatally stabbing his mother at their Miami Township home, and later charging at police with a kitchen knife, has had his convictions and sentence overturned because of a judge's error.

Lawyer: Ex-Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder seeks pardon from President-elect Trump: Cincinnati Enquirer
Former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder will ask President-elect Donald Trump to release him from a 20-year prison sentence, his attorney said.

Conrad sentenced to 16 years to life: Mansfield News Journal
Jeremiah Conrad didn’t face the loved ones of his victim Friday.

Reynoldsburg man who fatally stabbed boyfriend at Bexley apartment sentenced: Columbus Dispatch
A Reynoldsburg man will spend at least 15 years in prison after admitting to fatally stabbing his boyfriend in Bexley.

Solon man pleads guilty to killing dad: WOIO
A 34-year-old Solon man pleaded guilty to killing his father.