July 2, 2024

Appeals Court upholds 4-year hit-skip sentence: Tribune Chronicle
A district appeals court upheld the conviction of a Southington man who was convicted after striking and severely injuring a Bristol couple with his vehicle and fleeing the scene on New Year’s Eve 2021.

Ross County Courts Receive New Fingerprint Scanners in Statewide Push for Information: Scioto Post
In an effort to improve the accuracy and completeness of Ohio’s criminal-records repository, a new grant program will fund 77 fingerprint scanners for courts across the state. Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced today that these devices will help courts capture defendants’ fingerprints for submission to the state’s database.

Hit-skip driver sentenced to jail during emotional court hearing in Medina: WEWS
A hit-skip driver from Medina was sentenced to jail on Monday for an incident that seriously injured a woman last November.

Wrongful death suits filed in fiery crash that killed 6, including Tusky Valley students: Columbus Dispatch
Estates of at least three people who died in a fiery Nov. 14 chain-reaction crash in Licking County that killed six Tuscarawas Valley students, staff and parents filed wrongful death lawsuits against a central Ohio trucking company and its driver.

Canfield woman sues over sinkhole injuries: The Vindicator
A Canfield woman has sued the city of Canfield and neighbors a couple of houses away from her home for injuries she alleges she suffered from falling into a “concealed sink hole” on her neighbor’s property that she says the city tried to fix once before.

Akron man punched by police officers during traffic stop sues after acquittal: Cleveland.com
An Akron man has sued the city and the police officers who repeatedly punched him and slammed his face into the concrete during a traffic stop.

 

July 1, 2024

Panel rejects new trial for killer: The Vindicator
The 7th District Court of Appeals last week affirmed the decision of Judge Anthony Donofrio of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court when the judge found no reason to grant Bennie Adams a new trial in the 1985 killing of 19-year-old YSU student Gina Tenney of Ashtabula.

Ohio judge overturns jury verdict in 'exceptional' murder case: Columbus Dispatch
After nearly 15 years on the bench as a Franklin County Common Pleas Court judge, there aren't many firsts left for Mark Serrott.

Kelly Linger appointed as interim judge in Columbiana County Municipal Court: WFMJ
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has announced on Friday that Kelly Linger has been appointed as interim judge in the Columbiana County Municipal Court.

Should Sydney Powell get a new murder trial? Attorneys debate this issue in her appeal: Akron Beacon Journal
Sydney Powell’s family supported her after she was arrested for killing her mother, Brenda Powell.

Zarlingo avoids death sentence: Tribune Chronicle
Avoiding the death penalty, Patricia Zarlingo was sentenced Friday to 35 years to life in prison after accepting a plea agreement for her involvement in a fatal house fire.

Dayton man gets more than 30 years for murder plot involving Kettering woman in Xenia Twp.: Dayton Daily News
The triggerman in a 2022 murder plot to kill an 18-year-old Kettering woman who escaped when the gun jammed will spend more than 30 years in prison.

Newton Township man gets 3 years on felony charges: Tribune Chronicle
A Newton Township man has been sentenced to three years in prison on felony charges of robbery, burglary and child endangerment.

Supreme Court rules ex-presidents have broad immunity, dimming chance of a pre-election Trump trial: Associated Press
The Supreme Court on Monday ruled for the first time that former presidents have some immunity from prosecution, extending the delay in the Washington criminal case against Donald Trump on charges he plotted to overturn his 2020 presidential election loss and all but ending prospects the former president could be tried before the November election.

The Supreme Court keeps on hold efforts in Texas and Florida to regulate social media platforms: Associated Press
The Supreme Court on Monday kept a hold on efforts in Texas and Florida to limit how Facebook, TikTok, X, YouTube and other social media platforms regulate content posted by their users.

 

June 28, 2024

City man’s drug conviction affirmed: Tribune Chronicle
The Trumbull County Prosecutor’s Office reported Thursday that the Ohio Supreme Court has declined to accept a Warren man’s jurisdiction of an appeal on drug and tampering charges.

Supreme Court just made it harder for federal agencies to regulate in sweeping ruling: NPR
The U.S. Supreme court on Friday undid decades of regulatory law, making it far more difficult for federal agencies to issue rules and regulations that carry out broad mandates enacted by Congress.

Outcome in legal case could call into question recent decisions by Nelsonville City Council: WOUB
A state appeals court is deciding who has the legitimate right to two seats on the Nelsonville City Council. 

Franklin County judge files racism, harassment complaint: WCMH
Federal labor investigators are being asked to look into the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas for alleged racism and harassment.

Request made for 'new' special prosecutor to investigate Ginther: WSYX
Some Columbus citizens are calling a seven-month investigation into Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther "political" after no determination has yet to be made that the mayor is clear from wrongdoing or broke the law.

Man gets 15 years to life for attacking man with machete, running over him at Dayton park: Dayton Daily News
A 25-year-old man convicted of murder will spend 15 years to life for attacking a New Lebanon man with a machete in July 2022 and then running over him with a car in the parking lot of a Dayton park.

Two plead guilty in Miami County arson after one leaves credit card at scene: Dayton Daily News
Two of three people indicted in a Sept. 6 fire that destroyed a residence in the 5500 block of Ross Road have pleaded guilty to arson-related charges.

Prosecutors extend plea offer to woman accused of bilking puppy buyers: The Vindicator
April L. Waidman, 40, of West Pine Lake Road in Beloit was in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court on Thursday, where her attorney and Mahoning County prosecutors discussed her 32-count indictment on allegations she accepted payments and down payments for puppies she never delivered.

Columbus concert venue King of Clubs faces ASCAP lawsuit over songs it's played: Columbus Dispatch
A Columbus music venue is facing legal action over its use of pop hits, "Pony," "Jump Around" and "All the Small Things."

 

June 27, 2024

After an Ohio judge blocked abortion ban, lawmakers want to speed up appeals: Columbus Dispatch
After judges blocked Ohio laws restricting abortion and gender-affirming care for transgender minors, lawmakers want to speed up appeals when state laws are put on hold.

Appeals court overturns injunction, blocking Cincinnati's effort for gun restrictions: WLWT
A divided three judge panel just reversed a ruling that city leaders hailed as a big victory last fall.

Cuyahoga County took millions from property owners through unconstitutional foreclosure practices, lawsuit claims: Cleveland.com
A lawsuit accuses the Cuyahoga County government of unlawfully taking millions of dollars in home equity from local property owners who fell behind on their taxes over the past two decades.

Champion man gets life for rape against child: Tribune Chronicle
A Champion man convicted of raping an 8-year-old relative on Christmas Eve last year was sentenced Wednesday to 20 years to life in prison.

Former social worker who had sex with 13-year-old client sentenced to nearly 5 years in prison: WBNS
A former licensed social worker who had sex with her client — a 13-year-old boy — was sentenced to nearly five years in prison on Thursday. 

Seneca County man sentenced to prison for sex crimes involving minors, developmentally delayed women: WTOL
A Seneca County man was sentenced to prison Tuesday after pleading guilty to sex crimes involving minors and developmentally delayed women.

Not guilty by reason of insanity plea entered for Mansfield man: Mansfield News Journal
An attorney for a 28-year-old Mansfield man arrested June 13 on a felony warrant charging him with importuning has entered a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity and competency to stand trial in Richland County Common Pleas Court, according to court records.

Mariemont teen pleads guilty to new counts, be kept in juvenile court: WLWT
The teenage suspect accused of plotting a mass shooting at Mariemont High School is entering a guilty plea on new charges after being accused of making plans to conduct a mass shooting at the school.

Supreme Court blocks enforcement of EPA’s ‘good neighbor’ rule on downwind pollution: Associated Press
The Environmental Protection Agency will not be able to enforce a key rule limiting air pollution in nearly a dozen states while separate legal challenges proceed around the country, under a Supreme Court decision Thursday.

The Supreme Court rejects a nationwide opioid settlement with OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma: Associated Press
The Supreme Court on Thursday rejected a nationwide settlement with OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma that would have shielded members of the Sackler family who own the company from civil lawsuits over the toll of opioids but also would have provided billions of dollars to combat the opioid epidemic.

US Supreme Court allows emergency abortions in Idaho for now: Reuters
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled on Thursday to permit - for now - abortions to be performed in Idaho when pregnant women are facing medical emergencies, as the justices dispensed with the contentious issue without actually deciding the case on its merits.

 

June 26, 2024

Typo leads to release of accused Cleveland killer from jail, authorities say: Cleveland.com
An inmate accused of aggravated murder was mistakenly released from the Cuyahoga County Jail after a typographical error caused jailers to let the man go free.

Cincinnati homeless settlement: 'Tremendous victory for social justice': Cincinnati.com
Three people who once lived in a homeless encampment on Third Street in Downtown Cincinnati – before the city kicked them out six years ago – praised a new agreement that would allow encampments if there is no available shelter space.

Man who shot bystander trying to stop Auto Zone robbery near Polaris pleads guilty, sentenced: Columbus Dispatch
A man who admitted to fatally shooting a bystander who attempted to intervene in a Delaware County robbery and paralyzing a man in another robbery will spend at least 46 years in prison before being eligible for parole.

Man who pleaded to manslaughter, kidnapping in boys' deaths gets 16-year sentence: Toledo Blade
A man who restrained and bound two teenage boys in his sister’s basement, then helped turn them over to two men who killed them elsewhere, received a 16-year prison sentence Tuesday morning in Lucas County Common Pleas Court.

Mother gets year in son’s OD death: Warren Tribune Chronicle
A city mother will spend a year behind bars after her child died from consuming a liquid medication. Aris Rice received the sentence Tuesday on charges of involuntary manslaughter and child endangering from Trumbull County Common Pleas Judge Andrew D. Logan.

Judge gives 1-year term in blaze: Warren Tribune Chronicle
A fire in July at Mayfair Laundromat caused $1 million to $2 million in damage, according to the owner, who spoke Tuesday at a sentencing hearing of the man charged in connection to the blaze.

The Supreme Court rules for Biden administration in a social media dispute with conservative states: Associated Press
The Supreme Court on Wednesday sided with the Biden administration in a dispute with Republican-led states over how far the federal government can go to combat controversial social media posts on topics including COVID-19 and election security.

 

June 25, 2024

Should state lawmakers be exempt from depositions? The answer could affect Ohio private school vouchers lawsuit: Cleveland.com
A judge can’t force Ohio Senate President Matt Huffman to answer lawyers’ questions about which private school lobbyists he speaks to outside of legislative chambers, the Republican has argued before the Ohio Supreme Court.

Leach Sentenced in Murder Case: WHIZ
A Guernsey County man was sentenced in a March 2024 murder case.

Driver guilty of leading Maple Heights police on chase, with kidnapped officer in his car, sentenced to prison: WOIO
A Richfield man who led police on a pursuit with a kidnapped Maple Heights police officer in his car, was sentenced to 18 months behind bars in Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas Monday.

Warren man who's 7-year-old son ate marijuana edible convicted of reduced charge: WFMJ
A Warren man who had been charged with child endangering after police say his 7-year-old son overdosed on marijuana edibles has been convicted of a less serious charge.

Huber Heights city manager pleads guilty to OVI charge, gets probation: Dayton Daily News
Huber Heights City Manager Rick Dzik will spend the next two years on probation after he was convicted Monday of a drunken driving charge in Knox County.

18-year-old pleads guilty after Downtown attacks in January: WXIX
The lone adult charged in connection with a January attack in Downtown Cincinnati pleaded guilty.

Franklin County grand jury votes to not indict police officers in July 2023 fatal shooting: Columbus Dispatch
A Franklin County grand jury has voted not to indict law enforcement officers involved in the July 2023 shooting death of Antwan Lindsey, the county prosecutor's office announced Monday.

 

June 24, 2024

Clermont County judge resigns over 'mistakes I have made in my personal life': Cincinnati Enquirer
A Clermont County municipal court judge resigned Friday, a year after he was accused of misconduct.

Cuyahoga County program guides those with mental health, developmental disabilities through court system: WEWS
Finding yourself caught up in the criminal justice system can be daunting enough for anyone, but for someone with a developmental disability, it can be truly overwhelming.

Jail mail policy violates inmate rights, filing says: The Vindicator
Attorneys for Daniel B. Fleischer, 42, who was sentenced to 37 years in federal prison in 2019 for taking still images of himself sexually assaulting a young girl, have filed a motion asking that another case of Fleischer’s be dismissed.

Court asked to force sale of Chill-Can land: The Vindicator
The city of Youngstown and MS Consultants Inc., the two lead plaintiffs in the foreclosure case against the idled Chill-Can plant, have asked a judge to force the sale of the property.

Judge issues 14-year sentence after guilty plea to shooting woman in the face: WCMH
A woman will be imprisoned for at least 14 years after pleading guilty to the 2022 southwest Columbus murder of a 19-year-old.

Woman, 35, receives $1 million bond in fatal southeast Columbus shooting: WCMH
A 35-year-old woman appeared in Franklin County Municipal court twice on charges related to a fatal shooting in southeast Columbus.

Things to know about the gender-affirming care case as the Supreme Court prepares to weigh in: Associated Press
The U.S. Supreme Court said Monday that it will hear arguments on the constitutionality of state bans on gender-affirming care for transgender minors. The issue has emerged as a big one in the past few years. While transgender people have gained more visibility and acceptance in many respects, half the states have pushed back with laws banning certain health care services for transgender kids.

 

June 21, 2024

Convicted killer gets life in prison for 2023 shooting deaths in Cleveland: Cleveland.com
A Cleveland man was sentenced to life in prison Thursday for killing two people last year.

Campbell resident sentenced for 2023 shooting: The Vindicator
Angel Chico, 28, of Wilson Avenue, Campbell, was sentenced Thursday to 6 to 7.5 years in prison after pleading guilty earlier to felonious assault with a gun specification and misdemeanor offenses of domestic violence and violating a protection order.

Accomplice to boys' murders gets 4 years in prison: Toledo Blade
A Lucas County judge sentenced one of five people who pleaded to reduced charges arising from two teenage boys’ murders to four years in prison Thursday morning.

Niles woman found guilty in strangulation and abduction case: Tribune Chronicle
A jury deliberated for three hours to find a 26-year-old woman guilty on multiple charges of strangulation and abduction.

Mistrial declared in Kent homicide of pregnant woman: Ravenna Record-Courier
The trial of an Arizona man accused in the shooting death of a pregnant woman in Kent abruptly ended Thursday, before the opening statements.

Man pleads guilty to reduced charge in double shooting that killed 1: Toledo Blade
A second man accused in a double shooting last year in which a man was killed pleaded guilty Thursday to a single count of complicity to felonious assault.

Franklin County judge orders suspected serial rapist held without bond until trial: Columbus Dispatch
A suspected serial rapist accused of kidnapping and sexually assaulting at least three women while free on $500,000 bond in another sexual assault case will now remain in the Franklin County jail until his trial.

County jail program paused after sex, smuggling allegations involving Butler Tech intern, inmates: WCPO
An internship program that places Butler Tech students in the Butler County Jail for job training was paused after a national conservative podcaster released information involving a 17-year-old girl’s contact with two inmates that allegedly included smuggling and sex.

 

June 20, 2024

Ohio attorney suspended over pooping in a Pringles can has license reinstated: Columbus Dispatch
The Ohio attorney who was disciplined for pooping in a Pringles can and tossing it into a parking lot got his law license reinstated on Tuesday.

Mahoning judge commits killer to mental hospital: The Vindicator
Judge Anthony D’Apolito heard from the prosecution, defense and Jillian L. Russell, 41, then referenced many psychological evaluations carried out on Russell after she shot a friend to death in Russell’s home in 2020.

Poland man jailed for rape: The Vindicator
A teenager will spend at least a year in juvenile prison after admitting to rape and several other charges.

Woman who tried to hit people with car sentenced: The Vindicator
Cecilia S. Mayfield, 30, of Woodcrest Avenue, was sentenced to 5 to 7.5 years in prison Tuesday after pleading guilty in April to two counts of felonious assault for an Oct. 10 incident in which she tried to hit people with her car on Ivanhoe Avenue on the South Side.

Murder trial to be continued because of unavailability of prosecution witness: WKBN
A murder trial scheduled for Monday in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court has been continued because of the unavailability of a prosecution.

Man sues Columbus police officer who shot him in the leg after mistaking him for criminal: Columbus Dispatch
A 20-year-old man is suing Columbus police, accusing an officer of “sadistic and malicious use of excessive force” for shooting him after mistaking him for a suspect in a shooting. 

Supreme Court decision saves Trump-era tax change, dodges big loss in federal tax revenue: USA Today
The Supreme Court on Thursday upheld a controversial Trump-era tax on foreign income, a win for the federal government, which had warned the failed challenge could have cost it hundreds of billions – and perhaps trillions – of dollars in tax revenue.

The Supreme Court upholds the conviction of woman who challenged expert testimony in a drug case: Associated Press
The Supreme Court on Thursday upheld the conviction of a California woman who said she did not know about a stash of methamphetamine hidden inside her car.

 

June 18, 2024

Education advocate Erin Gruwell to speak at Access to Justice Awards: Toledo Blade
Before she was portrayed by Hilary Swank in a 2007 Paramount feature film, before she founded the educational nonprofit Freedom Writers — before she became one of the most famous English teachers in the United States — Erin Gruwell thought she wanted to be a lawyer.

Advocates push for proof Cuyahoga County Juvenile Court not giving kids unqualified attorneys: Signal Cleveland
Dozens of advocates in Greater Cleveland Congregations shirts packed a state commission meeting Friday demanding that the Cuyahoga County Juvenile Court be held accountable for assigning unqualified attorneys to represent children who face serious charges. 

Cuyahoga County corrections officer pleads not guilty to inmate harassment charges: WOIO
The Cuyahoga County corrections officer arrested for several charges of inmate harassment made his initial appearance in court Friday morning.

Local contractor sentenced in latest theft case: WKBN
A local contractor convicted in criminal cases in multiple counties entered a plea deal Monday in his newest case.

Judge orders $155K paid to fraud defendants, leaves open possibility of re-indictment: Toledo Blade
A Lucas County judge has awarded sanctions exceeding $150,000 to eight people charged last year with securities fraud in a case for which state prosecutors filed a dismissal motion early this month, but will allow a re-indictment if prosecutors choose to file one.

'Measure of a just society': Cincinnati settles 2018 tent city lawsuit: Cincinnati Enquirer
Six years ago, the city of Cincinnati forced Patrick Chin and dozens of people who were living in a tent camp downtown out of what they considered their homes.

 

June 17, 2024

Prosecutors drop case against Cleveland man who spent time in prison for shooting that his brother confessed to committing: Cleveland.com
Cuyahoga County prosecutors on Thursday dropped all charges against a man whose 2011 attempted murder conviction was overturned after his brother confessed multiple times to the shooting.

Panel asked to reconsider new trial order in ’18 murder: The Vindicator
The Mahoning County Prosecutor’s Office has filed a motion asking the 7th District Court of Appeals to reconsider the ruling it made June 6 overturning the 2022 conviction of Lavontae E. Knight of Youngstown, in the 2018 murder of Trevice Harris.

Man charged in Imperial Stewart case gets 3 years in prison: WBNS
A 19-year-old man charged in connection to the disappearance and death of 17-year-old Imperial Stewart last year has been sentenced to three years in prison, according to court documents.

Man found not guilty in 2016 shooting death on East Side: WKBN
Jurors on Monday in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court found a man not guilty of a 2016 shooting death on the East Side.

Woman accused of murdering toddler at North Olmsted Giant Eagle faces judge: WOIO
The woman accused of stabbing three-year-old Julian Wood to death in the parking lot of the North Olmsted Giant Eagle store appeared before Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas Judge John Russo Monday for a pre-trial hearing.

Gov. DeWine issues reprieve for Trumbull man on death row for murdering grandmother: WFMJ
Gov. Mike DeWine recently issued three reprieves for convicted murderers on death row in the state - including a Trumbull County man convicted of murdering his adoptive grandmother.

Watkins challenges convicted sex offender’s parole: Tribune Chronicle
The former owner of Warren Music Center who sexually assaulted numerous boys in 1992 is having his chance at parole disputed by the Trumbull County prosecutor.