Febraury 14, 2025

Fate of judge who jailed 2 kids over dad visits now in hands of Ohio Supreme Court: Columbus Dispatch
How Geauga County Common Pleas Court Judge Timothy Grendell ends his 46-year legal career is now in the hands of the Ohio Supreme Court, which will decide if he should be punished for sending two boys to juvenile detention when they refused to visit their estranged father.

Ohio Supreme Court holds hearing in Elwood Jones case: WXIX
A man who spent decades on death row is awaiting a decision from the Supreme Court of Ohio that could determine whether he will face a new trial.

Ohio Justices Lean Toward Union On Termination Arbitration: Law 360
The Ohio Supreme Court on Wednesday seemed skeptical of a city's argument that it can't be forced into arbitration with a worker's union over his termination, with one justice implying during oral arguments the court may need to clarify the State Employment Relations Board's authority in such matters.

Hamilton County judge blocks Ohio law requiring fetal remains to be buried or cremated: Cincinnati Enquirer
An Ohio law requiring fetal remains to be buried or cremated is unconstitutional under the state's abortion rights amendment, a Hamilton County judge ruled Thursday.

Akron man sentenced for sexual assault of woman in Cuyahoga Falls: Cleveland.com
An Akron man was sentenced Thursday to two years in prison after he pleaded guilty to charges connected to the sexual assault of a woman outside an apartment complex in Cuyahoga Falls.

Trotwood man gets jail time for police chase during domestic investigation: Dayton Daily News
A Trotwood man will serve time in prison for reportedly leading Riverside police on a chase in connection to a domestic violence investigation.

Convicted child sex offender is found guilty again in new case: Cincinnati Enquirer
A Batavia man already serving time for child sex crimes was convicted of more offenses this week.

Man pleads guilty to theft and robbery: The Vindicator
Angel Rosario Martinez, 46, pleaded guilty Thursday to robbery and two other charges in a Sept. 20 incident in Youngstown and got a recommendation from prosecutors of four to six years in prison.

Man acquitted of murder charge in fatal shooting at residential Elm Street garage: Toledo Blade
A man accused of murder in the death of another with whom investigators said he struggled over a gun was acquitted Thursday of all but a weapons charge by a jury in Lucas County Common Pleas Court.

Former Yellow Springs doctor takes plea deal after allegations of patient abuse: Dayton Daily News
A former Yellow Springs doctor, who had been accused of sexually assaulting 15 patients, has been sentenced to probation after pleading no contest to patient neglect and attempted abuse charges.

Febraury 13, 2025

Case of judge who jailed 2 kids over dad visits heads to Ohio Supreme Court: Columbus Dispatch
More than two years after Ohio's disciplinary counsel filed a stunning complaint against him, Geauga County Common Pleas Court Judge Timothy Grendell will plead with the Ohio Supreme Court to keep him on the bench.

Sydney Powell murder case heads to the Ohio Supreme Court: Akron Beacon Journal
Sydney Powell’s murder case is headed to the Ohio Supreme Court, opening another chapter in a case that has garnered national media attention.

Gov. Mike DeWine ordered by judge to ask for $900 million in unclaimed Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation funds that Ohio turned down in 2021: WKYC
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has been ordered by a judge to ask the U.S. Department of Labor for an estimated $900 million in unclaimed Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation funds. 

Second conviction of pandering gets man 10 years in prison: The Vindicator
Paul Bidwell, 51, of Parkcliffe Avenue was sentenced to 10 years in prison Wednesday after pleading guilty to 10 counts of pandering sexually oriented matter involving a minor or impaired person.

Former Ohio National Guardsman sentenced for sexually abusing minor: Columbus Dispatch
A former Ohio National Guardsman will spend more than two decades in prison after a jury convicted him of sexually assaulting a minor.

Fatal dog attack case is in the hands of a Pickaway County jury: Columbus Dispatch
Whether a mother and son will be acquitted or found guilty in the fatal dog attack of their next-door neighbor is now in the hands of the jury.

Parents sue Reynoldsburg City Schools after nonverbal 6-year-old left on bus for hours: Columbus Dispatch
The family of a nonverbal Reynoldsburg City Schools student has filed a federal lawsuit against the district, alleging the child was left unattended and harnessed in a seat on a school bus for hours, and the district failed to investigate appropriately.

New Albany mass shooter’s defense attorney seeking mental health evaluation for client: Columbus Dispatch
A defense attorney for a Columbus man accused of a mass shooting at a New Albany cosmetics plant and warehouse that killed two people and injured four others has filed for a mental competency evaluation to determine if his client is mentally fit to stand trial.

Columbus police officer investigated for downloading body cam footage for YouTube channel: WOSU
A Columbus police officer has been under investigation for downloading body camera footage from the city's system without submitting a public records request.

Febraury 12, 2025

What does 'having sex' mean? Question focus of spousal rape case before Ohio Supreme Court: Columbus Dispatch
A test of Ohio's law against spousal rape and what requirements victim testimony must meet is going before the Ohio Supreme Court on Thursday.

Organized opposition and support become increasingly common in central Ohio solar projects: WOSU
Harvey Solar, a 350-megawatt solar project in Licking County, is awaiting a decision from the Ohio Supreme Court after an opposition group appealed its approval.

Two men convicted in 2023 murder of 3-year-old Luis Diaz: Cleveland.com
Two men were found guilty Tuesday of murder in the 2023 shooting death of 3-year-old Luis Diaz.

Riverside man sentenced to prison in cocaine, LSD, mushroom trafficking case: Dayton Daily News
A Riverside man accused along with a woman of trafficking cocaine and other illegal drugs has been sentenced to prison.

Crooksville man pleads guilty to raping child after rejecting original plea deal: Zanesville Times Recorder
A Crooksville man who recently rejected a plea deal in favor of going to trial in has again changed his mind.

Woman accused in North Olmsted child stabbing death ruled competent, trial date set: Cleveland.com
Bionca Ellis, the woman accused of fatally stabbing a 3-year-old boy in North Olmsted in June, is now competent to stand trial following inpatient treatment at a psychiatric clinic.

Licking County takes over sex abuse investigation involving family member of New Albany megachurch leaders: WBNS
A sexual abuse case connected to a New Albany megachurch has now been handed off to a third agency for investigation after two previous agencies reported conflicts of interest.

Febraury 11, 2025

Ohio Supreme Court hears arguments on whether cops get crime victim protections: Columbus Dispatch
The Ohio Supreme Court on Tuesday heard arguments on a what may be a landmark government transparency case: Can the names of police officers hurt on duty be withheld from public disclosure?

High court to decide if police officers can be victims under Marsy's Law: Toledo Blade
The Ohio Supreme Court was asked on Tuesday to determine whether officers involved in police-related shootings are victims in the eyes of the Marsy’s Law bill of rights adopted by voters in 2017.

Harvard's justice lab to study Lucas County diversion program: WTOL
The Toledo Municipal Court is pushing for change in the criminal justice system through its diversion program. Now, that program is now getting attention from Harvard University.

Middletown man found guilty in shooting death of woman whose body was found in trash can: WCPO
A Middletown man has been found guilty of aggravated murder in the shooting death of Asiah Slone in a Yankee Road house last summer.

Beating death nets man prison term: Tribune Chronicle
A Trumbull County judge sentenced a man to the maximum penalty of 11 to 16.5 years in prison Monday for the involuntary manslaughter of Andrew Warner.

One man sentenced in shooting death; co-defendant opts for trial: Tribune Chronicle
A Warren man pleaded guilty Monday to voluntary manslaughter and aggravated burglary in the July 10 shooting death of Kardell Lowery, while his co-defendant rejected a plea deal and will proceed to trial.

Trial in fatal dog attack starts in Pickaway County: Columbus Dispatch
The trial of a mother and son whose two dogs killed their 73-year-old neighbor began in Pickaway County Common Pleas Court on Monday with jury selection and opening arguments.

Zanesville Attorney Honored with Silver Beaver Award for Scouting Service: AVC News
Muskingum County attorney Susan McDonald has been recognized as the 2024 recipient of the Silver Beaver Award by the Muskingum Valley Council for her dedication to scouting and youth development.

Columbus Council OKs $1.8 million settlement with former ATF agent tased by city officer: Columbus Dispatch
Columbus City Council has agreed to pay $1.8 million to settle a lawsuit filed by a former federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives agent whom Columbus police detained and tased in 2020.

Former Cincinnati City Councilman PG Sittenfeld loses appeal in bribery case: Cincinnati Enquirer
A federal appeals court has upheld former Cincinnati City Councilman P.G. Sittenfeld's convictions on federal charges of bribery and attempted extortion.

Febraury 10, 2025

Are cops crime victims when they're attacked on duty? Ohio Supreme Court to decide: Columbus Dispatch
Police officers involved in shootings or other uses of force could have their names kept confidential if the Ohio Supreme Court decides a crime victims' rights provision in the state constitution applies to them.

East Cleveland legal tangle lands at Ohio Supreme Court; immigration and the Cuyahoga County Jail: Signal Cleveland
East Cleveland Council President Lateek Shabazz is suing to stop Probate Court Judge Anthony Russo from naming an interim mayor of the financially troubled suburb. 

Visiting judge assigned to hear cases involving explosion at Realty Building: WFMJ
A visiting judge has been assigned to hear several cases involving the explosion at the Realty Building in downtown Youngstown from May of 2024.

‘Do what’s right,’ prosecutor urges as jury begins deliberations in case of slain toddler: Cleveland.com
A jury on Friday began deliberating the fate of two men charged with aggravated murder in the shooting death of 3-year-old Luis Diaz whose mother prosecutors believe was the intended target of the assailants.

Man sentenced to prison for killing friend: WKBN
The Warren man who admitted to killing a friend he had been living with will spend at least a decade behind bars.

'A moment of immediate judgment': Son of WCPO meteorologist sentenced for couple's assault: Cincinnati Enquirer
The son of WCPO meteorologist Steve Raleigh was ordered to probation on Monday for assaulting a couple outside the Montgomery Inn Boathouse last summer.

Oklahoma man admits he asked Muskingum County 12-year-old to send him nude photos: Times Recorder
In September, local detectives found photos of a nude 12-year-old victim from Muskingum County on an Oklahoma man's phone.

Mom and son go to trial in dog attack that killed their neighbor in Pickaway County: Columbus Dispatch
The trial started today for a mother and son who pleaded not guilty to felony involuntary manslaughter charges for the dog-mauling death of their neighbor, Jo Echelbarger, 73.

Overmyer Lofts funding lawsuit returns to court without settlement: Toledo Blade
Lucas County’s civil lawsuit accusing the Overmyer Lofts developers of misusing public funds the county granted toward that project may be going back to the courtroom after being stayed for four months.

Febraury 7, 2025

Cuyahoga County has more than 1,500 court-involved kids in need of an advocate. Limited resources stand in the way: Signal Cleveland
For children entangled in the legal or foster care system, Child & Family Advocates of Cuyahoga County tries to match them to community volunteers to help advocate for the child’s best interest in cases of abuse and neglect.

Lake Milton man gets 7 years for sex assault: The Vindicator
Bruce D. Corlett, 66, of Harbor Avenue in Lake Milton, was sentenced to seven years in prison Thursday after pleading guilty to two counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor.

Twin sisters plead guilty to felonious assault last March: The Vindicator
Twin sisters Andrea H. Springs and Lisa D. Springs, 21, both pleaded guilty to felonious assault Thursday in a March 2024 incident on Tyrell Avenue on the West Side in which shots were fired at a car containing six people, four of whom were children.

Murder trial for two accused of killing Cleveland toddler nears end: Cleveland.com
Prosecutors called their last witness Thursday in the trial of two of men charged in the shooting death of 3-year-old Luis Diaz.

Man on trial in Butler County for allegedly setting woman on fire in 2023: WCPO
The capital murder trial of a man accused of setting a woman on fire in 2023 in Butler County is underway.

Judge sets bond at $20 million for suspect in deadly New Albany warehouse shooting: WBNS
A man accused of fatally shooting two people and wounding four others inside a New Albany warehouse was given a $20 million bond in court on Thursday.

Ohio AG says he will act 'swiftly' if Columbus school board defies state bathroom law: Columbus Dispatch
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost said he would "swiftly" respond with legal action against Columbus City Schools if the board chooses to defy state law over its transgender bathroom policy.

Confidential settlement reached in lawsuit over police shooting at Cleveland Giant Eagle: Cleveland.com
A man shot by an off-duty Cleveland police officer working security at a Giant Eagle has reached a confidential settlement in the case, court records say.

Federal court dismisses wrongful death suit against Summit County Sheriff Kandy Fatheree: Akron Beacon Journal
A federal wrongful death lawsuit against Summit County Sheriff Kandy Fatheree was dismissed this week and is expected to be refiled in state court as a malpractice case against medical agencies, not Fatheree.

Law firm plans move to The Delco amid ongoing lawsuit against Stratacache-tied LLC: Dayton Daily News
A prominent area law firm announced this week plans to move its Dayton offices from the city’s tallest office building, Stratacache Tower, to the historic and newly-renovated Delco building.

Febraury 6, 2025

Cuyahoga County to handle Youngstown murder appeal at Ohio Supreme Court: The Vindicator
The Ohio Supreme Court announced it will review a ruling by the 7th District Court of Appeals that ordered a new trial for Lavontae Knight in Knight’s conviction for killing Trevice Harris on Dec. 30, 2018, in Youngstown and wounding Harris’ girlfriend.

Betras says he can represent both defendants in murder case: The Vindicator
It’s unusual for co-defendants in a murder case to have the same attorney, but that was the case Wednesday as attorney Dave Betras told Magistrate Meghan Brundege of Youngstown Municipal Court that he is the attorney hired by Kenneth Carter, 34, and Terry Hopkins, 22, to defend them.

Max sentence for Cleveland man who killed girlfriend, pried her teeth out and put her body in school dumpster: Cleveland.com
A Cleveland man who said he tried to pry his live-in girlfriend’s teeth out after he killed her and used Pine-Sol to hide the odor of her body was sentenced to the maximum term in prison Wednesday.

Convicted child sex abuser gets 10-year prison sentence: The Vindicator
Thomas B. Spencer got the maximum of 10 years in prison Wednesday after a Mahoning County Common Pleas Court jury found him guilty Jan. 22 on two counts of gross sexual imposition for touching a girl while near a residential bonfire in Boardman in 2023.

Akron man pleads guilty to reduced charges in 2024 fatal shooting at apartment complex: WKYC
Isaiah McKinney, the 20-year-old Akron man who was set to face trial for the 2024 murder of Gregory Dykes Jr., has pleaded guilty to a reduced charge. 

WATCH LIVE: Day 2 of trial for a man accused of setting woman on fire in 2023: WCPO
Day two of the capital murder trial of a man accused of setting a woman on fire in 2023 in Butler County is underway.

Householder attorney: Bailout scheme 'everyday politics': Toledo Blade
Attorneys for former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder and former state Republican Party Chairman Matt Borges on Wednesday urged a federal appeals court to overturn their racketeering convictions tied to passage of a $1.3 billion nuclear plant bailout law.

Febraury 5, 2025

Juvenile drug court: A clean slate for those who get clean: Cleveland.com
Shay celebrated five months of sobriety on Tuesday by graduating from Cuyahoga County Juvenile Court’s drug court program and having the drug-related charges that brought her there expunged.

Man, 83, pleads guilty in robbery: The Vindicator
Forrest B. Lytell, 83, of Austintown, who robbed an Austintown bank and was arraigned in common pleas court last week, pleaded guilty Tuesday to robbery and was accepted into Mahoning County Veterans Felony Honor Court.

Delay likely in Crump murder appeal: The Vindicator
There is likely to be a delay in the 7th District Court of Appeals ruling on whether to affirm the convictions and sentencing of Brandon Crump Jr. in the 2020 murder of 4-year-old Rowan Sweeney.

Criminal charges dismissed against LC4 employee: Toledo Blade
A magistrate has dismissed criminal charges against a Lucas County Canine Care & Control employee after the Sylvania prosecutor filed a motion saying the court does not have jurisdiction over the case.

Man arrested after breaking out of Ohio courthouse, fleeing in vehicle to Wood County: WTOL
Authorities arrested a Detroit man in Wood County after he broke out of an Ohio courthouse he was at for an arraignment hearing on Tuesday and fled in a vehicle on I-75.

Canton man sentenced to life for shooting, killing rapper at Columbus strip club: WBNS
A Canton man was given a life sentence for fatally shooting a Columbus rapper two years ago.

Columbus man sentenced to at least 25 years in connection to fatal shooting of 16-year-old: WBNS
A Columbus man was sentenced Tuesday to at least 25 years in prison for his role in the fatal shooting of a 16-year-old boy nearly three years ago.

Four Men Sentenced to a Combined 71years in Prison: WHIZ
Judge Kelly Cottrill sentenced 24-year-old Jose Luis Rosa Perez of Chipley, Florida, 23-year-old Marcus K Lloyd from Morton, Missouri, 24-year-old Bryden Bibbins and 44-year-old Antonio Collins of Snow Hill, Maryland.

Trotwood man pleads guilty to reckless homicide in shooting, death of 18-year-old: Dayton Daily News
A Trotwood man has pleaded guilty to charges connected to the shooting death of 18-year-old Ja’Niyah Kurstin Hardy in October 2024.

Fired MetroHealth CEO Airica Steed sues hospital board: Signal Cleveland
Airica Steed, who became CEO of MetroHealth in December 2022 and was fired less than two years later, sued the public hospital’s board Monday.

Febraury 4, 2025

Trumbull County man's appeal found to have merit, court says: WFMJ
The 11th District Court of Appeals decided that Meko Howard's appeal holds some merit.

2 suspects in 2020 Moody Manor shooting get prison time; 3rd wants to go to trial: Toledo Blade
Two members of a street gang centered at a central Toledo public housing complex were sent to prison Monday for their roles in a fatal shooting there in 2020, while a third, alleged member opted Monday afternoon to take his case to trial.

Hubbard woman gets 6 months in jail for running over victim’s leg: The Vindicator
Judge Anthony D’Apolito sentenced Julynn Lespier, of Hubbard, to six months in the Mahoning County jail, three years of probation and ordered her to pay $10,110 in restitution to a woman who suffered serious injuries when Lespier ran over the other woman’s leg during an argument May 4.

Convicted copper thief sentenced for Columbiana County AT&T outage: WFMJ
A Rogers man has been sentenced to 15 months in prison for stealing copper wire, disrupting internet and phone service, including 911 dispatchers, in the Lisbon area last fall.

Former Ohio State cornerback admits strangling woman during alcohol-fueled argument: Columbus Dispatch
A former Ohio State University football player who became a third-round NFL draft pick pleaded guilty Monday to a felony charge for strangling a woman he knew.

Man accused of OVI crash that killed Greene County twp. trustee pleads guilty as charged: Dayton Daily News
A Franklin man has pleaded guilty as charged connected to a 2023 crash in West Carrollton that killed a Greene County township trustee.

New East Palestine lawsuit blames 2023 train derailment for deaths of 7 people: Canton Repository
A new lawsuit alleges at least seven people have died from the aftermath of the 2023 Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine.

Man who bilked investors out of shipwreck gold won't be forced to tell treasure location: Columbus Dispatch
A treasure hunter who swindled central Ohio investors out of millions and refused to tell anyone where he stashed the gold he discovered had one prison sentence end as he begins another.

Former Columbus police officer receives probation for getting paid for unworked overtime: Columbus Dispatch
A former Columbus police officer received two years of probation after admitting to receiving pay for overtime he didn't work.

Febraury 3, 2025

Supreme Court declines 5 county cases: Tribune Chronicle
The Supreme Court of Ohio last week declined to accept jurisdiction of the appeals for five Trumbull County criminal cases, all of which had been rejected by the Ohio 11th District Court of Appeals.

Appeals court vacates $650 million opioid judgement for Lake, Trumbull counties: Cleveland.com
A federal appeals court on Friday vacated a $650 million judgement against three major pharmacy chains over the toll of the opioid crisis in Lake and Trumbull counties.

East Cleveland mayor to appeal suspension; Cleveland City Council members land national posts: Signal Cleveland
Brandon King isn’t done quite yet. A panel of retired judges has removed him as mayor of East Cleveland while he faces public corruption charges.

Youngstown urges Ohio Supreme Court to not accept officer’s hearing request: The Vindicator
Attorneys for Youngstown and its civil service commission told the Ohio Supreme Court that a request by a city police detective sergeant to compel the commission to grant him a hearing to consider him for a promotion is unwarranted.

Former Stow court administrator sues judge: Akron Beacon Journal
A former court administrator with the Stow Municipal Court has filed a civil case against the presiding judge and two local fiscal officers, saying that he is owed $54,498 in earned sick leave benefits.

Mixon Sentenced in Baby Death: WHIZ
Common Pleas Judge Kelly Cottrill handed down a 10-year sentence to 40-year-old Anthony Mixon.

Columbus man sentenced to 30 years in prison for fatal apartment complex shooting: Columbus Dispatch
A Columbus man who fatally shot another man and injured a woman in an Eastland area apartment complex parking lot will spend nearly 30 years in prison

Lawsuit alleges first deaths from disastrous 2023 train derailment in Ohio: Associated Press
A lawsuit alleging for the first time that people died because of the disastrous 2023 East Palestine train derailment has been filed ahead of Monday’s second anniversary of the toxic crash near the Ohio-Pennsylvania border amid a flurry of new litigation.