APRIL 11, 2025

Judge who oversaw case that led to charges against attorney says there was no misconduct: Cincinnati Enquirer
A former judge who oversaw the case that led to misconduct charges against prominent local defense attorney Clyde Bennett II testified Wednesday that he did nothing wrong in her courtroom.

Former clerk of courts appeals pay decision: The Vindicator
Sarah Brown-Clark, Youngstown’s former longtime clerk of courts, filed an appeal of a judge’s decision to dismiss her lawsuit against the city in which she claimed she was entitled to $28,298 in unpaid salary increases for the last six years of her term.

Rutan sues Dispatch, Franklin GOP after losing prosecutor election: Columbus Dispatch
John Rutan, a lawyer who unsuccessfully ran for Franklin County prosecutor in 2024, has filed lawsuits against the county’s Republican Party and The Columbus Dispatch, alleging actions by both cost him the election.

Ohio State wrestler speaks before sentencing of teen who shot him: 'I wish the best for Mr. Lee: WKYC
The teenager who shot Ohio State wrestler Sammy Sasso will spend more than a decade behind bars.

Howland man gets 12 to 15 years in child porn case: Tribune Chronicle
A Howland man received an indefinite 12- to 15-year prison sentence Wednesday for charges of child pornography and “revenge porn,” according to the Trumbull County Prosecutor’s office.

Cuyahoga Community College ex-officer pleads to grand theft, gets diversion deal: Cleveland.com
A former Cuyahoga Community College police lieutenant, accused of stealing from the school, will have his criminal charge sealed if he repays $15,000 and completes a pretrial diversion program.

Man sentenced to prison for causing crash that killed 92-year-old Oregon woman: WTOL
A man convicted of causing a crash that killed a 92-year-old Oregon woman in 2024 was sentenced to prison Thursday.

Euclid man convicted of murder in 2023 Cleveland shooting: Cleveland.com
A Euclid man was found guilty of murder Thursday for his role in a 2023 Cleveland shooting.

Judge seals record from 2016 party incident that burned UT student: Toledo Blade
A Lucas County judge has sealed the case record for a Michigan man convicted of two misdemeanors in 2016 for accidentally, but severely, burning a fellow University of Toledo student at a party.

APRIL 10, 2025

Ohio mom battles court over dead son’s property: WKBN
An Ohio mom is battling in court to find out what happened to her son’s iPhone and cash that are missing following her son’s fatal car crash. The case has made its way to the Ohio Supreme Court.

Advocates for crime survivors discuss challenges they have faced applying for state’s crime victims compensation: WOIO
Local violent crime survivors shared their stories of survival and ways they can help other survivors navigate Ohio’s crime victims compensation, Wednesday night.

How Ohio’s Reagan Tokes law keeps people in prison longer: Signal Cleveland
The Reagan Tokes Act is an Ohio law that took effect in 2019 in response to the murder of a 21-year-old female college student by a man recently released from prison.

Murder suspect Darnell Jones waives Columbus hearing, will be returned to Toledo: Toledo Blade
Toledo murder suspect Darnell Jones on Thursday waived arraignment in Franklin County Municipal Court on a charge of felonious assault on a police officer in connection with a confrontation with Columbus police.

Mother gets 3 years of prison in son’s death: The Vindicator
Brianna C. Zagotti was sentenced to three years in prison Wednesday after being convicted at trial of felony child endangering following a two-day trial in February regarding the death of her almost 2-year-old son, Amari.

Youngstown man sentenced to 6 to 7.5 years in prison in 2024 shooting: The Vindicator
Jonathan Lozada-Martinez was sentenced to 6 to 7 1/2 years in prison Wednesday after pleading guilty earlier to two counts of felonious assault and gun specifications for a June 24, 2024, incident.

Euclid man convicted in organized theft ring targeting delivery trucks: Cleveland.com
A Euclid man was found guilty Wednesday for his role in a crime ring that stole more than $230,000 worth of cigarettes, meat, liquor and cash from dozens of delivery trucks across northern Ohio.

Man files federal lawsuit against city, police officer following mistaken traffic stop, K-9 bite: Toledo Blade
A Toledo man who was bitten by a police dog during an ill-conceived traffic stop a year ago has filed a federal civil-rights lawsuit against the city of Toledo and the police officer who initiated the stop.

APRIL 9, 2025

'The community benefits' | How Hamilton County's re-entry program helps former inmates transition back to life: WCPO
April is Second Chance Month, a nationwide effort to bring awareness to the obstacles people face when reentering society after incarceration.

Judge grants grandmother authority to handle Kei'mani's funeral: Toledo Blade
Lucas County Probate Judge Jack Puffenberger has granted Kei’mani Latigue’s custodial grandmother’s application to handle the girl’s funeral arrangements, including cremation of her body.

'The consequences are so laughable': Parents of teen killed in 2021 slam justice system: Cincinnati Enquirer
As the last of three defendants was sentenced Tuesday in the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Kristopher Teetor, his adoptive mother talked about how the justice system had failed.

Oklahoma Man Sentenced in Muskingum Co.: WHIZ
The Muskingum County Prosecutor’s Office announced an Oklahoma man received a seven-year prison sentence in Muskingum County Court for sexual abuse charges involving a 12-year-old child.

New charges cause bond in 2024 city murder case to be revoked: The Vindicator
Bond for Jules Freeman, 23, who is charged in the Jan. 22, 2024, shooting death of Allen P. May, 23, on Evergreen Avenue on the South Side, was revoked Monday after Freeman picked up several new charges in New Philadelphia.

Narcho, accused of 4 counts of rape and 3 other charges, found competent to stand trial: Mansfield News Journal
A 52-year-old Mansfield man accused of rape has been found competent to stand trial.

Franklin County prosecutor announces new unit to help speed up cases: Columbus Dispatch
Franklin County Commissioners approved a request Tuesday that will allow the county prosecutor's office to hire four prosecutors to reduce the time cases are pending.

Braden's Law takes effect in Ohio, making sextortion a felony: WBNS
Sextortion is now a felony in the state of Ohio.

APRIL 7, 2025

Ohio AG Takes Trans Care Limits Bid To State Justices: Law 360
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost has taken his bid to reinstate limits on gender-affirming care for transgender youths to the state's highest court and wants the law's enforcement to continue throughout his appeal.

Someone claiming to be Cleveland court hacker says they're associated with Russian-based ransomware group: WEWS
The person claiming to be the hacker who attacked Cleveland Municipal Court said they are affiliated with a Russian-based ransomware gang in an e-mail with a News 5 Investigative Producer.

Before working with Lincoln, Salmon P. Chase was an antislavery attorney in Cincinnati: Cincinnati Enquirer
Salmon P. Chase was one of the most complex and accomplished men in Cincinnati’s history. There is much to cover. His time as the Secretary of the Treasury − a member of Abraham Lincoln’s “team of rivals” in the Cabinet − during the Civil War, when he ran the federal finances and created our first system of paper currency.

Report: 116 on Ohio death row: Tribune Chronicle
Ohio has not carried out an execution in nearly seven years, despite 116 inmates remaining on death row, according to the state’s newly released 2024 Capital Crimes Report.

Auglaize County prosecutor announces retirement: WDTN
The “longest-serving” prosecuting attorney in Auglaize County is retiring.
Edwin Pierce, prosecutor for Auglaize County, announced Thursday that he is retiring at 8:15 a.m. on April 8.

Prosecutor to release more details about fatal Lockland police shooting: Cincinnati Enquirer
The Hamilton County Prosecutor's Office is holding a press conference Monday to discuss details about the police shooting of a Woodlawn man last month.

A banana taped to a wall? This artist says he did it first. The Supreme Court ignored him.: USA Today
You can’t tuna fish, but can you appeal a banana? California artist Joe Morford tried, hoping the Supreme Court would give him credit for being the first person to tape a banana to the wall in the name of art. But the justices on Monday rejected his fruit suit.

APRIL 4, 2025

Ohio court rules gun ban for those under felony indictment is unconstitutional: Cleveland.com
The 8th Ohio District Court of Appeals on Thursday agreed with a Cuyahoga County judge who found banning people facing violent felony charges from having guns violates the Second Amendment.

Judge cautions against 'knee-jerk reaction' to Keimani Latigue killing: Toledo Blade
Toledo Municipal Court Judge Timothy Kuhlman cautioned against a “knee-jerk reaction” to the county’s justice reform efforts after the death of Keimani Latigue created scrutiny of the accused killer’s history of increasingly violent offenses — and second chances.

New Ohio law ends driver's licenses suspensions for unpaid fines. What do you need to know: Columbus Dispatch
Many drivers across Ohio are without a license for behavior unrelated to dangerous driving. A new law going into effect Wednesday will make it easier for drivers to get their licenses back and harder to suspend them.

2 of 3 men accused of using drones to get drugs, phones into Ohio prisons sentenced: WBNS-TV
Two men accused of running a scheme to get drugs and phones into Ohio prisons were sentenced this week, according to court documents. Franklin County Court of Common Pleas records say Robert Faulkner, Cory Sutphin and Charles Gibbs were indicted on 60 counts, including aggravated trafficking in drugs, engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, illegal conveyance of drugs of abuse onto grounds of a specified governmental facility and more charges.

Watchdog: Trumbull official defends performance in 3 roles, Clerk of Courts says he's hired for a reason: WFMJ
Devon Stanley works full-time as Chief Deputy for the Trumbull County Clerk of Courts, and he's also paid a full-time salary to work about two days a week as Girard's assistant prosecutor. On top of that, he holds a third public position, serving as a Liberty Township Trustee. 

Ohio prisoner pleads not guilty in beating death of ODRC Officer Andrew Lansing: WSYX
An Ohio prisoner faced a judge for the first time Thursday after a Ross County grand jury indicted him for the beating death of his corrections officer. The murder of Ross Correctional Institution Officer Andrew Lansing could now cost inmate Rashawn Cannon his life.

Retired chief pleads not guilty to improper use of police database: Toledo Blade
A retired Rossford police chief pleaded not guilty Thursday afternoon in Wood County Common Pleas Court to seven counts of improper use of a police database, and a judge gave him a June trial date.

Downtown Hilton tower architect Cooper Carry faces lawsuit for cost overruns, delays: Columbus Dispatch
The Franklin County agency that owns the Hilton Columbus Downtown hotel has sued the hotel's architect, claiming the architect's delays led to $26 million in additional costs.

APRIL 3, 2025

Compass Drug Court continues efforts: Marietta Times
After launching in January 2019 and earning the distinction of certification from the Ohio Supreme Court’s Commission on Specialized Dockets in December 2020, Compass Drug Court continues to grow and make a difference in Washington County.

Trump to Pick Ohio’s Solicitor General for Top Justice Department Legal Post: New York Times
President Trump intends to nominate T. Elliot Gaiser, the conservative solicitor general of Ohio, to be the assistant attorney general leading the Justice Department’s Office of Legal Counsel, according to a Justice Department official. That position has traditionally often had the final say on legal debates within the executive branch.

Former judge convicted of bribery cleared to challenge Ohio disbarment procedures: Courthouse News Service
An attorney permanently disbarred for misconduct while acting as a common pleas court judge can pursue due process claims against the justices of the Ohio Supreme Court, a federal judge ruled Friday.

Ohio Northern Law students observe 3rd District Court of Appeals in session: WLIO Lima
Ohio Northern University law students received a firsthand look at the 3rd District Court of Appeals in action as the court traveled to Ada to hear two cases at the Pettit College of Law on Tuesday morning.

Judge sentences would-be murderer to 58 years after bizarre confession: Toledo Blade
A man convicted last month for trying to kill a former lover and that man’s husband chillingly detailed the crime Wednesday before he was sentenced in Lucas County Common Pleas Court.

Judge intervenes in shared space dispute between Taste of Belgium and nonprofit La Soupe: Cincinnati Enquirer
A Hamilton County judge has been asked to intervene in a dispute between a local restaurant chain that describes itself as “a bedrock institution in Cincinnati’s food scene” and a nonprofit that provides food to people in need.

County's one-stop shop moves people past prior criminal convictions: Toledo Blade
A program that welcomes individuals home after time behind bars aims to help them move on from their past and focus on how to be successful in the future. “Going Home to Stay,” is a crucial part of Lucas County’s strategy in welcoming previously incarcerated people back into the folds of their community. 

Powell substitute teacher offered high schooler $2K to kill husband, records say: Columbus Dispatch
A substitute teacher at a Columbus high school has been accused of asking a student to kill her husband for $2,000, according to court records.

City of Cleveland attorneys ask judge to block Browns’ updated lawsuit over stadium move: Cleveland.com
Attorneys for Cleveland and the Ohio attorney general’s office on Tuesday asked a judge to block the Browns from updating the team’s lawsuit over a planned move from the city to Brook Park.

Class action lawsuit filed against Insight: The Vindicator
Insight Health System faces a federal class action lawsuit alleging it failed to provide 60 days’ advance notice before terminating employees at its Trumbull County medical facilities, including Insight Hospital Medical Center Trumbull and Insight Rehabilitation Center Hillside.

Ohio lawmakers push to revive executions through state budget bill: Cleveland.com
Ohio lawmakers are trying to end the state’s years-long moratorium on executions by compelling state prison officials to seek federal help with obtaining long-sought lethal-injection drugs.

APRIL 2, 2025

Ohio Justices Won't Hear 3rd-Party Property Tax Appeal Case: Law 360
The Ohio Supreme Court declined Tuesday to hear a challenge to the constitutionality of third-party property tax appeal restrictions, leaving in place an appellate court's dismissal of the matter.

Franklin County court launching program to help prison inmates reenter society smoothly: Columbus Dispatch
Franklin County is launching a new program to help people leaving prison more smoothly reenter society. The county Common Pleas Court, in conjunction with the Franklin County Prosecutor's office and Franklin County Public Defender's office, as well as other community stakeholders, is starting the reentry pilot program.

Mom and son sentenced to prison for fatal dog mauling of 73-year-old neighbor: Columbus Dispatch
Pickaway County Common Pleas Court Judge Matthew Chafin sentenced a mother and son to 14 to 19 and a half years in prison after their two pit bulls killed their 73-year-old neighbor.

‘He got extremely lucky’: Cleveland man acquitted of rape after representing himself at trial: Cleveland.com
A Cleveland man accused of raping and strangling a woman was acquitted of his most serious charges Monday after representing himself at trial.

Ex-Cleveland City Councilman Basheer Jones sentenced to 2 years, 4 months in prison for corruption schemes: Cleveland.com
Former Cleveland City Councilman Basheer Jones was sentenced Tuesday to two years and four months in prison for using his influence to line his and a romantic partner’s pockets.

On eve of local NAACP elections, former president Nana Watson asks court to stop them: Columbus Dispatch
The former president of the Columbus NAACP filed a lawsuit aimed at stopping Wednesday's branch elections from happening.

Ousted village manager again sues New Lebanon, several village officials: Dayton Daily News
Four months after losing her case against the village of New Lebanon in the Ohio Second District Court of Appeals, ousted village manager Glena Madden is suing New Lebanon once again.

Dayton’s $100M counterclaim alleges breach of contract in Montgomery County water dispute: Dayton Daily News
The city of Dayton in a legal dispute over a water agreement with Montgomery County pushed back against claims it was overcharging the county for water, also alleging that county officials have not fulfilled an agreement for a proposed pump station.

New Metroparks Toledo ranger 'lights up the room'” Toledo Blade
A judge who administered an oath Tuesday to a new Toledo Metroparks ranger did not get a word in response. The judge just took his bark for it.

APRIL 1, 2025

Judge orders forced medication for suspect accused of killing Cleveland officer: Cleveland.com
A judge on Monday ordered doctors to forcibly administer antipsychotic drugs to a man accused of killing a Cleveland police officer.

Cleveland man sentenced to 30 years in prison in human trafficking case: Cleveland.com
A Cleveland man was sentenced to 30 years in prison Monday for forcing vulnerable women into prostitution.

Home incarceration for Green Twp. man convicted in crash that killed two church volunteers: Cincinnati Enquirer
The man responsible for a crash that killed two people who were assisting with a broken-down church van on Interstate 75 was sentenced Monday to one year of home incarceration.

Youngstown responds to federal suit: The Vindicator
An attorney for Youngstown, a deputy law director and an ex-law director requested that a judge dismiss a federal sexual harassment and discrimination lawsuit filed by Laura Morway, a former assistant law director who contends she was fired for complaining about a “hostile work environment.”

Judge rejects Mt. Vernon woman's Medicaid fraud plea deal, says harsher punishment warranted: Columbus Dispatch
A Mount Vernon businesswoman accused of receiving hundreds of thousands of dollars through Medicaid fraud at her drug and alcohol treatment center has withdrawn her guilty plea agreement after a federal judge rejected the proposed sentence, calling her actions "aggravated" and "intentional."

Former Faith Life Church employees allege nondisclosure agreements meant to silence them: Columbus Dispatch
The New Albany church that finds itself tied to sexual abuse allegations against a former chief media officer and youth leader makes employees sign nondisclosure agreements that some church critics allege were meant to silence them.

March 31, 2025

Ohio court revives worker’s claim for bootlace-tying accident: businessinsurance.com
An Ohio appellate court on Wednesday overturned a summary judgment for an employer that found a worker was not entitled to workers compensation for injuries from a fall while trying to tie his bootlaces.

Cuyahoga County hosts first Reentry Awareness Month, highlighting challenges for those returning home: Cleveland.com
Cuyahoga County has long dedicated one week each year to raising awareness about the challenges formerly incarcerated individuals face as they transition back to society, but this year it decided to stretch its campaign over an entire month.

Youngstown homicide drama draws attention of TV show: The Vindicator
 It’s no secret that television and movies — not to mention tabloid news — love to dramatize certain types of crimes, such as murder. A February 2024 murder trial in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court introduced other issues that drew interest — a blue-collar guy who shot the boyfriend of his estranged wife to death in the victim’s driveway while trying to pick up his daughter and grandson for a family gathering.

Dayton responds to Montgomery County’s $14M water lawsuit; many cities affected: Dayton Daily News
The city of Dayton announced Friday afternoon that it filed a counterclaim in its lawsuit with Montgomery County over the parties’ 2018 water supply agreement.

Woman gets year in prison for threatening area school: Dayton Daily News
A woman who pleaded guilty to making threats against Northridge Local Schools in Harrison Twp. was sentenced to prison. Rayona Mesunawon Hunt, 23, was sentenced by Montgomery County Common Pleas Judge Mary Wiseman to a year in prison, with credit for 175 days already spent in custody.

Ravenna rape co-defendant to serve only 3 more days after sentencing: Akron Beacon Journal
A Ravenna man will serve time in the Portage County Jail after admitting taking part in the 2023 rape of a woman at his apartment.

Cemetery, city of Sylvania battling in court after road project, wall removal: Toledo Blade
Nearly a year and a half after a reconstruction project expanded Monroe Street into what had been Toledo Memorial Park property, the cemetery and the city of Sylvania remain at odds over how much compensation the cemetery should receive.

Jury to decide if companies owe Norfolk Southern in East Palestine derailment payout: Cleveland.com
A trial is set to begin Monday over whether two companies should pay Norfolk Southern over the 2023 derailment disaster in East Palestine.

March 28, 2025

Ohio Supreme Court to hear Warren County juror impartiality issue in child sex case: Dayton Daily News
The Ohio Supreme Court is scheduled to hear oral arguments Tuesday in a Warren County child sex abuse case on whether a Franklin Twp. man was denied the right to a fair trial.

Cuyahoga Domestic Relations Judge Leslie Ann Celebrezze admits to ethical violations involving divorce cases: Cleveland.com
Cuyahoga County Domestic Relations Judge Leslie Ann Celebrezze has admitted to judicial violations involving the steering of hundreds of thousands of dollars in business to a longtime friend.

Ohio State Bar Association warns of attorney shortage in rural counties: WCMH
The Ohio State Bar Association is warning of a legal service crisis in rural counties. In 82 of the state’s 88 counties, there are not enough attorneys for the population.

Struthers court chambers set for long-overdue renovation: The Vindicator
Judge James A. Melone addressed city council Wednesday regarding proposed renovations to the Struthers Municipal Court chambers in City Hall, aiming to modernize the space and improve functionality.

Ohio Civil Rights Commission pays $650K to settle two in-house discrimination lawsuits: Columbus Dispatch
The Ohio Civil Rights Commission agreed to settle two employment discrimination lawsuits filed by two former executives and pay out $650,000 in damages, attorney fees and back pay.

Akron man gets 23 years for teen’s shooting death in skate park robbery: Cleveland.com
An Akron man could spend more than 23 years in prison after he was sentenced Thursday for the 2022 shooting death of a teen at a skate park in the Ellet neighborhood.

Akron woman gets life sentence for 2016 murder of 2-year-old son: Cleveland.com
An Akron woman was sentenced Thursday to life in prison with the chance of parole after 15 years for killing her 2-year-old son.

Man gets 23 to 28.5 years in prison for 2023 killing, wounding bystander: The Vindicator
Kaylon Adams, 33, pleaded guilty Thursday to involuntary manslaughter, felonious assault and improperly discharging a firearm into a habitation Thursday and was sentenced to 23 to 28.5 years in prison for killing Christian A. Oliver, 29, and shooting an innocent woman bystander in the legs Nov. 19, 2023, on Zents Avenue on the North Side.

First of 2 sisters convicted in Youngstown shooting sentenced to jail: WKBN
The first of two sisters convicted in a shooting incident from a year ago learned her fate Thursday morning in court.

Akron man pleads guilty to stealing vehicle with 2-year-old child inside: Cleveland.com
An Akron man pleaded guilty Thursday to multiple charges for three offenses, including stealing a vehicle at a gas station with a 2-year-child inside.

Falls man pleads guilty to first-degree rape: Tribune Chronicle
A 76-year-old Newton Falls man pleaded guilty Tuesday to first-degree rape for forcing an adult male relative to perform oral sex in 2022.

Columbus man says attempted Grandview Heights abduction was 'mistaken identity': Columbus Dispatch
A man who was on parole admitted Thursday to trying to abduct a woman he said he mistakenly believed was his girlfriend in Grandview Heights.

Family sues in fatal Ellsworth explosion: Tribune Chronicle
A civil lawsuit has been filed against the company family members blame for the deaths of four people in an October home explosion.

Another lawsuit filed in connection with Realty Building explosion: WFMJ
Another lawsuit has been filed in connection with the deadly explosion at the Realty Building in downtown Youngstown.

Mercy Health responds to lawsuit of woman who miscarried: WKBN
Bon Secours Mercy Health has responded to a lawsuit filed by a former patient who had a miscarriage and was later criminally charged, denying her accusations that she did not receive proper medical care.