May 16, 2024

Former Hudson mayor fights judge's decision to seal records for student charged with rape: Akron Beacon Journal
A Summit County judge's order sealing the court records in a criminal case against a Hudson 18-year-old has been challenged in a suit filed this week with the Ohio Supreme Court.

Franklin Municipal Court judge: Stats show busy court needs to go full-time: Dayton Daily News
A local part-time municipal court judge says it’s time his role moves to full-time, to keep up with a growing caseload, to ensure the rights of defendants and victims are protected, and to create the opportunity for new programs.

Bozian receives Ohio Access to Justice Foundation Presidential Award: Marietta Times
The Ohio Access to Justice Foundation has recognized attorney Robin Bozian as the 2024 recipient of the Presidential Award.

Brandon Morrissette sentenced to 8-12 years in prison after pleading guilty to charges he brought gun to West Geauga High School: WKYC
More than a year after he was arrested on allegations he brought a gun to West Geauga High School with a plan to harm other students, Brandon Morrissette was back in court Wednesday morning where he was sentenced to serve eight to 12 years in prison.

Columbus man gets prison time in fatal South Side shooting that killed Joshua Watts: Columbus Dispatch
A man who fatally shot a father outside his South Side apartment in October will serve at least 14 years in prison.

Judge finds woman not guilty by reason of insanity in fatal shooting over existence of God: WKBN
A judge ruled Wednesday in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court that the defendant in a 2020 shooting death did not know the wrongfulness of her acts and she is not guilty by reason of insanity.

Man fails to reveal HIV+ status, pleads guilty to attempted assault: The Vindicator
A man pleaded guilty Wednesday to a charge of attempted felonious assault for not telling a person with whom he had a sexual relationship that he tested positive as a carrier for a virus that causes AIDS.

Ex-mayoral candidate in Niles won’t face charges: Tribune Chronicle
A Trumbull County grand jury has declined to indict a Niles man who was accused of trying to intimidate the city’s mayor, the man’s one-time political rival.

Starbucks worker fired for unionizing wins reinstatement and back pay: Signal Cleveland
Starbucks must reinstate the employee it illegally fired at its University Circle store for helping to organize a union, a National Labor Relations Board administrative law judge has ordered.

Former Nationwide Children's, OSU Wexner nurse pleads guilty in federal child porn case: Columbus Dispatch
A former Nationwide Children's Hospital and Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center employee has pleaded guilty to possessing child pornography and paying a sex offender to create child sexual abuse material.

May 15, 2024

Former Butler County Auditor Roger Reynolds' felony conviction overturned on appeal: Cincinnati Enquirer
Former Butler County Auditor Roger Reynolds, who was re-elected to his post while under indictment but resigned after his conviction, is no longer a felon after an appellate court’s ruling.

Shelby attorney honored by Ohio State Bar Foundation for community service: Richland Source
Shelby attorney Jonathan (J.C.) Elgin was among those honored by the Ohio State Bar Foundation (OSBF) when it announced the 2024 Community Service Awards for Attorneys 40 and Under.

Warren man gets prison: Tribune Chronicle
A Trumbull County Common Pleas Court judge Tuesday sentenced Rashawn Jordan to 14 to 19.5 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter.

Dayton man gets up to 20 years in sexual assault of 6-year-old girl he reported to police: Dayton Daily News
A Dayton man who reported to police that he sexually assaulted a young girl more than four years ago will spend up to two decades in prison.

Jury to decide fate of two charged with killing teens: Toledo Blade
The aggravated murder case against two men accused of killing two teenaged boys in late 2022 after others lured them to a South Toledo house to confront one boy about a stolen gun was handed to a trial jury Tuesday evening.

Youngstown murderer seeks fewer gun charges: The Vindicator
The attorney for the man convicted of murder in the Sept. 29, 2022, shooting death of Jacob Moore, 21, on New York Avenue on the city’s North Side, is urging a judge to sentence him on only one of two gun specifications, which could affect the length of his prison term that is between 15 years and life.

Youth records sought for convicted killer of 4-year-old in Struthers: The Vindicator
The attorney for Brandon Crump Jr., the man convicted in the shooting death of 4-year-old Rowan Sweeney, has filed a motion for records related to all interactions Crump had with Mahoning County Children Services during his youth.

Ohio AG files lawsuit to remove two state teachers' pension board members: Columbus Dispatch
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost filed a lawsuit on Tuesday to remove two board members of the State Teachers Retirement System, saying they breached their fiduciary duty to protect the pension fund.

Supreme Court upholds decision in Hill case: Tribune Chronicle
The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to review an August 2023 decision by a lower court in the appeal of Danny Lee Hill, a move that effectively denies the convicted killer a new hearing based on contentious, long litagated bite mark evidence.

May 14, 2024

Appeal denied for Youngstown man convicted in murder of Warren man: WFMJ
The appeal of a Youngstown man convicted of the murder of a man during a home invasion in Warren back in 2023 has been denied.

Convicted family killer gets 4 death sentences from Butler County judges: Dayton Daily News
It took more than five years after the shooting deaths of four family members in West Chester Twp., but their convicted killer, their relative, learned his fate Tuesday morning. 

Assault victim in Boardman forgives attacker; judge gives more lenient sentence: The Vindicator
A Garfield Heights man was sentenced to four to six years in prison Monday after pleading guilty to felonious assault and robbery charges in connection to a Dec. 6 incident on the sidewalk at Boardman Plaza.

Akron man sentenced to life in prison in shooting death of Dominic Gray: Akron Beacon Journal
A 21-year-old Akron man was sentenced to life in prison Monday morning in the shooting death of 33-year-old Dominic Gray last September.

Trial for two men charged with murder in deaths of teens in 2022 continues to day seven: WTOL
Prosecutors questioned Toledo police Det. Paul Marchyok, the lead investigator in the case of two teens found dead in the burned-down remains of a Toledo house in 2022, for close to five hours on Monday, the seventh day of the trial for two of the 11 people charged in their deaths.

Teen accused of mass shooting plot at Mariemont HS ruled competent by judge: WCPO
A 14-year-old accused of conspiring to shoot students and a teacher at Mariemont High School was ruled competent by a judge Tuesday.

Ex-Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder’s arraignment in Cleveland re-set: Cleveland.com
The arraignment of former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder was postponed Monday in a case stemming from the House Bill 6 scandal.

Lawsuit: Kroger 'recklessly' used assistant managers to fill jobs without paying overtime: Cincinnati Enquirer
Dayton-area Kroger worker Thomas Schell thought his career might take off when he landed a job as an assistant store manager. 

May 13, 2024

Former Portage County superintendent who once taught in Valley takes case to Supreme Court: WFMJ
A former superintendent from Portage County who once taught in the Mahoning Valley is taking her case to the Ohio Supreme Court.

Richland County Drug Court lauded as a path to recovery, rehabilitation: Richland Source
The concept of Richland County Substance Abuse Court wasn’t popular when it was first introduced nearly 30 years ago.

‘I can be a leader’: Cleveland students step inside Council chambers, courtroom for mock hearings: Cleveland.com
With a beaming smile, 13-year-old Myasiah Vanhoose did what Cleveland City Council President Blaine Griffin has done so often: She grabbed a gavel and called a meeting to order.

Boardman man sentenced for beating woman: The Vindicator
Robb C. Arent, 49, of Indianola Road in Boardman, was sentenced to four to six years in prison after pleading guilty earlier to charges of felonious assault, disrupting public services and domestic violence in a March 12, 2023, case in which he assaulted a woman at their home.

Harris gets 5.5 years in prison: Mansfield News Journal
A 20-year-old case came to a close Wednesday afternoon when LJ Harris was sentenced to 5 1/ years in prison.

Cedar Point parent company settles three lawsuits related to sexual assault allegations: WTOL
Cedar Fair, the parent company of Cedar Point, has settled three lawsuits related to sexual assaults in the park's employee dorms.

An attorney is taking over ‘nightmare’ Downtown KeyBank tower after court order: WCMH
A Downtown skyscraper labeled a “nightmare” by one of its tenants is going under new management thanks to a court order.

Judges sets $1 million bond for 23-year-old man accused of murdering toddler in Westwood: WCPO
A 23-year-old man was in court Saturday after he was arrested for the murder of a toddler in Westwood.

Will Gurpreet Singh be sentenced to death for murdering 4 relatives? Judges could decide Monday: WXIX
We could find out Monday if Gurpreet Singh will be sentenced to death for gunning down four family members five years ago.

May 10, 2024

Man admits to carjacking vehicle with children inside, gets at least 15 years in prison: Cleveland.com
An Akron man pleaded guilty Thursday to taking a vehicle from a woman who had her three young children in the back seat, with the judge immediately sentencing him to prison.

Man receives sentence for raping 3 children for years: WKBN
A city man convicted last month by a jury on sexual assault charges was sentenced Thursday in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court to 44 and a half years to life in prison.

Man gets two to three years in prison during unusual hearing: The Vindicator
Derrick L. Stennis, 33, of Boardman, was sentenced to two to three years in prison Thursday after pleading guilty earlier to burglary, domestic violence and abduction in an Aug. 9 incident in which he broke into his ex-girlfriend’s apartment, assaulted her and stole her purse, according to a Boardman police report.

Co-conspirator testifies in boys' kidnapping, murder trial: Toledo Blade
Cruz Garcia, 25, one of the men who played a role in the disappearance of two Toledo boys in December, 2022, took the stand Thursday to testify against Charles C. Walker, 34, and Brent A. Kohlhofer, 42, the men on trial for the aggravated murder and kidnapping of Kyshawn Pittman, 15, and Ke’Marion Wilder, 16.

Judge finds second man guilty in fatal Short North sucker punch assault: Columbus Dispatch
A Franklin County judge found a man involved in a September 2022 fight outside a Short North bar guilty of murder.

Closing arguments to begin in capital trial of man charged in killings of wife, her family: Cincinnati Enquirer
Five people entered a Wyndtree Drive apartment in April 2019 but just one survived. 

Attorneys for ex-Warren cop asking for separate trials for each victim he's accused of raping: WFMJ
A former Warren Police Officer, described by a prosecutor as the “most prolific serial rapist in Trumbull County history”, was back in court late Thursday morning.

Judge orders convicted Columbiana County killer to stop filing lawsuits: WFMJ
A former Columbiana County man serving life in prison for killing and dismembering his roommate has been ordered to stop filing lawsuits against the Columbiana County Prosecutor and others involved in his case.

Judge ends Chill-Can court saga: The Vindicator
A judge made it official: closing Youngstown’s case against the owners of the idled Chill-Can plant location after awarding the city $2.23 million in sanctions and damages.

Defunct Kenmore auto dealer agrees to pay thousands following buyer complaints: Akron Beacon Journal
A defunct Akron car dealership agreed to pay nearly $37,000 after a settlement was reached in mid-April in a lawsuit filed by Attorney General Dave Yost.

Did jury in P.G. Sittenfeld case get it wrong? Ex-councilman hopes appeals court frees him from prison: WCPO
Attorneys for former Cincinnati City Councilman P.G. Sittenfeld asked a three-judge panel of the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to throw out his public corruption conviction at a hearing on Thursday.

Elyria man files lawsuit after police storm home and arrest him without warrant: WOIO
A Lorain County man has filed a federal lawsuit against the Elyria Police Department after three officers stormed into his home and arrested him without a warrant.

 

May 9, 2024

Two rulings against open records. Is Ohio Supreme Court shifting away from transparency?: Columbus Dispatch
In a matter of four months, the Ohio Supreme Court ruled against releasing information in two public records cases, and it is now weighing what to do two other high-profile records fights.

After overturned convictions, Hamilton County prosecutor launches integrity unit: Cincinnati Enquirer
In the wake of four overturned homicide cases in Hamilton County over the past 18 months, Prosecutor Melissa Powers announced the creation of a conviction integrity unit to evaluate wrongful conviction claims.

New county domestic violence prosecutor previously arrested for domestic violence: WTVG
We’re learning startling new revelations in the hiring of Lucas County’s new domestic violence prosecutor. It appears she knows what it’s like to be on the other side of the law.

Cincinnati FOP pushes for changes in juvenile court system after teen has hours-long SWAT standoff: WCPO
The Cincinnati Fraternal Order of Police is calling for accountability on decisions made by the Hamilton County Juvenile Court after a teen was arrested Tuesday for a SWAT standoff that lasted hours.

How courts are reducing the number of Greater Clevelanders in jail awaiting trial: Signal Cleveland
In recent years, almost all of the growth in jail populations has been driven by people being detained before a trial. Nationally, people serving pretrial detention make up about two-thirds of those in jail.

Akron man sentenced for fatally shooting 45-year-old woman: Cleveland.com
An Akron man will spend at least 15 years in prison for the shooting death of a woman in August.

Judge denies bond reduction in murder case: The Vindicator
Mahoning County Common Pleas Court Judge Maureen Sweeney on Wednesday denied a motion to have Elijah J. May’s bond reduced from $100,000 to $50,000.

Youngstown man makes claims of racism during sentencing: The Vindicator
The Youngstown man convicted of shooting a man multiple times aired his grievances over what he claimed the handling of his trial at his sentencing hearing in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court.

Judge affirms deer-kill program in Mill Creek MetroParks: The Vindicator
Judge Anthony Donofrio of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court has affirmed the ruling of his magistrate that the Mill Creek MetroParks’ deer reduction plan is authorized by law.

Champion man pleads guilty in Christmas Eve rape of minor: Tribune Chronicle
A Champion man faces life in prison in connection to the Christmas Eve 2023 rape of an 8-year-old girl.

Former central Ohio campaign treasurer pleads guilty to stealing nearly $1 million: WOSU
William Curlis, the Columbus man who served as a campaign treasurer for more than 100 candidates since the 1980s, pleaded guilty in federal court to stealing nearly $1 million in campaign funds.

Judge orders FirstEnergy to share findings of internal HB 6 investigation: Akron Beacon Journal
A judge's ruling could result in FirstEnergy releasing its internal investigations into the H.B. 6 scandal that led to the conviction and sentencing of former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder on racketeering charges last year.

 

May 8, 2024

'Your past does not define your future': Teens graduate while awaiting trial: Cincinnati Enquirer
"Pomp and Circumstance" played. Teachers gave speeches. Kids turned their tassels.

Jury finds Akron man who argued self-defense guilty of murder in South Akron slaying: Akron Beacon Journal
A 21-year-old Akron man who said he shot and killed Dominic Gray, 33, last September in self-defense was found guilty of murder.

Murder trial witness describes boys' beatings before they vanished: Toledo Blade
A friend who was present when two boys were beaten in a South Toledo home’s basement before their disappearances and deaths in late 2022 described those beatings in court Tuesday.

Mother of convict in Rowan Sweeney killing pleads guilty: The Vindicator
LaShawn A. Scott, 46, of Youngstown, mother of murder defendant Kimonie Bryant, pleaded guilty Tuesday to tampering with evidence and will be sentenced at 9:30 a.m. May 23.

Drug charges net man prison term: The Vindicator
Judge Anthony Donofrio of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court listened to the good things attorney Ron Yarwood had to say about his client Brandon E. Norman, 41, of Warren, on Monday.

Warren man gets 3 to 4.5 years for child porn: Tribune Chronicle
A Warren man was sentenced to 3 to 4.5 years in prison after pleading guilty to amended charges related to child porn.

Attorneys request competency review for Middlefield man, 21, accused of child sex charges: Tribune Chronicle
Attorneys for a Middlefield man accused of raping four children have asked for their client to have a competency evaluation.

Man paralyzed in Short North police shooting files lawsuit against Columbus officers: Columbus Dispatch
A man paralyzed after being shot in the Short North a year ago has filed a lawsuit against the officers involved in a shooting despite admitting that bullets struck him before officers opened fire.

‘F46 LGB?’ Federal lawsuit claims Ohio license plate request has nothing to do with Joe Biden, or Brandon: Cleveland.com
An attorney for Jeffrey Wonser of Licking County says that “F46 LGB” has no objective meaning.

 

May 7, 2024

Appeals case denied for two past murder defendants: Tribune Chronicle
The Eleventh District Court of Appeals on Monday denied the appeals of two murderers previously convicted in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court.

Man whose execution was delayed 3 times has death sentence thrown out under new Ohio law: Cincinnati Enquirer
A mentally ill man, who had been on Ohio’s death row for two decades, saw his death sentence thrown out Monday under a recent state law that says people who have a serious mental illness are ineligible for the death penalty.

Lordstown decides against having mayor’s court: Tribune Chronicle
It does not appear a mayor’s court in the village will be happening as officials stated it is best that cases be handled at Newton Falls Municipal Court.

Canton man who shot brother dodges prison term, gets probation: Canton Repository
A 38-year-old city man has been ordered to spend three years on probation for shooting his 36-year-old brother on Feb. 19.

Shooting nets 28-year-old prison term: The Vindicator
Johnathan Gabrelcik, 28, of Pointview Avenue on the South Side, was sentenced to 4 to 5.5 years in prison Monday after pleading guilty to firing a gun into the home of a person he had been feuding with on Midlothian Boulevard, a couple streets away.

Man pleads guilty to 2021 slaying of Lyft driver: Cleveland.com
An Akron man pleaded guilty Monday to murder in the 2021 shooting death of a Hudson man who was working as a Lyft driver.

Boardman man pleads to child porn charges: The Vindicator
Jeffrey A. Kiley, 38, Ewing Road in Boardman, was sentenced to two years in prison Monday for possessing child pornography on his electronic devices as a result of an investigation carried out by the Boardman Police Department and the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

Attorney asks judge to throw out case against suspect in murder of Warren teen: WFMJ
A Trumbull County judge is being asked to throw out the case against one of the suspects charged in a fire that killed a 16-year-old girl from Warren.

Judge denies lower bond for man accused of threatening mailman in Youngstown: WKBN
A municipal court judge Monday denied a recommendation for a lower bond by a man accused of threatening a mailman.

Teen facing murder receives new lawyer: The Vindicator
Danyo R. Sellers, 17, attended a hearing Monday in his murder case in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court, even though his lawyer, Michael Scala, had notified Judge Anthony D’Apolito’s staff earlier Monday that he was withdrawing from the case.

Cleveland City Council approves ordinance directing city to enforce 'Art Modell Law' in Browns stadium talks: WKYC
As the battle over a possible new stadium for the Browns heats up, Cleveland City Council on Monday approved an ordinance directing Mayor Justin M. Bibb's administration to enforce the so-called "Art Modell Law" during negotiations with the team.

AG Yost: Student protesters could face felony charges because of 1953 Ohio anti-mask law: Columbus Dispatch
In a letter sent Monday to Ohio's public university presidents, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost warned of an obscure law that could affect students who were arrested during recent on-campus protests.

2 Ohio men connected to Cleveland-area postal key theft sentenced to prison: Cleveland.com
Two men convicted for their roles in the armed robberies of postal carriers in the Columbus area and also connected to a theft of a postal key in Northeast Ohio have been sentenced by a federal judge to multiple years in prison.

 

May 6, 2024

Final defendant in $1 million arson, burglary ring sentenced: The Vindicator
The final defendant in the $1 million, seven-person, three-county burglary and arson case handled in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court by the Ohio Attorney General’s Office was sentenced last week to a suspended jail sentence.

Man gets 2 years in prison for domestic violence and strangulation: The Vindicator
Richard L. Edwards, 49, of North Portland Avenue, pleaded guilty last week to felony domestic violence, felony strangulation and a probation violation and was sentenced to two years in prison.

Man accused of shooting at Findlay police, leading chase, pleads guilty: WTVG
A man that led officers on a high speed chase and was accused of shooting at police will not be going to trial, after pleading guilty May 2.

Lucas County man pleads not guilty in Fulton County murder, drug case: The Crescent-News
A Lucas County man has been arraigned here in Fulton County Common Pleas Court on a murder charge connected to the death of a Toledo shooting victim.

Columbus Man Sentenced in Muskingum County: WHIZ
A Columbus man was sentenced to at least eight years in prison for his crime of felony drug trafficking with a firearm specification.

Niles mayor’s effort to keep foe at bay denied: Tribune Chronicle
Niles Mayor Steven Mientkiewicz’s bid for a permanent civil stalking protection order against former political opponent and city resident George “Geo” Kuriatnyk was denied by Trumbull County Common Pleas Court.

A former Columbus vice cop will be sentenced Thursday. Here's how much time he could get.: Columbus Dispatch
A former Columbus police office will find out Thursday how many years he will have to spend in federal prison after admitting to holding two women against their will and obstructing a federal investigation.

 

May 3, 2024

Parents of Black River student sue over sexual assault at high school track meet: Cleveland.com
The parents of a Black River track and field athlete said in a lawsuit filed this week that officials at two schools failed to protect their daughter from being sexually assaulted at a track meet in Ashland.

Jury decides no punitive damages in Catholic Charities wrongful death lawsuit: WEWS
After deliberating for several hours on Thursday, a jury has decided against punitive damages in a wrongful death lawsuit against Catholic Charities Corporation.

Defiance man convicted of 10 sexual abuse charges following jury trial: Crescent-News
A Defiance man was convicted of multiple sexual abuse charges following a two-day jury trial this week in Defiance County Common Pleas Court.

Plea deal ends 2nd trial in 2017 Ravenna shooting deaths: Akron Beacon Journal
More than a week after the start of an Akron man's second trial in the 2017 shooting deaths of two men at a Ravenna apartment, the defendant accepted a plea deal.

Columbus woman convicted of helping plan fatal February 2022 robbery, shooting sentenced: Columbus Dispatch
A woman who drove a teenager to a February 2022 meeting with a man that ended with the man being fatally shot learned her fate Thursday in Franklin County Common Pleas Court.

Mansfield man accused of stabbing Mifflin Twp. officer in head unable to stand trial for now: Columbus Dispatch
A Mansfield man who stabbed a Mifflin Township police officer in the head earlier this year is not currently competent to stand trial, a Franklin County Common Pleas Court judge ruled Thursday.

Attorney asks for charges to be dismissed against man in overdose death: WKBN
The attorney representing a Warren man accused of supplying the drugs that led to a woman’s overdose said Thursday in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court the case should be dismissed because prosecutors can not prove his client was talking about drug deliveries with another who later died.

Defense for man accused of killing 3 sons seeks to remove death penalty option: WXIX
The man charged with murdering his three young sons should be excluded from the death penalty if convicted “due to serious mental illness at the time of (the) offense,” his lawyers contend in a new motion.

Toledo man sentenced for hitting teen with baseball bat, strangling her: WTVG
A Toledo man convicted for hitting a teenager with a baseball bat and strangling her has learned his sentence.

Ex-daycare worker sentenced to nearly 1 year for smacking, pulling toddlers: Dayton Daily News
A former worker at a Fairborn daycare who reportedly pulled a young child by the ankle and smacked their head was sentenced to nearly a year during a hearing Thursday.

Youngstown lawsuit against Chill-Can essentially over: The Vindicator
With the owners of the stalled Chill-Can plant property refusing to participate in a breach-of-contract lawsuit filed by Youngstown, the magistrate in the case says the proceedings are essentially over.

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost sues Department of Education over Title IX changes: Ohio Capital Journal
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost sued the U.S. Department of Education this week over recent changes to Title IX, the law that prohibits sex-based discrimination in schools.

Stark County man pleads guilty in federal gambling case: Canton Repository
A 49-year-old Stark County man pleaded guilty Thursday in U.S. District Court in Cleveland to one count of tax evasion, two counts of money laundering and one count of operating an illegal gambling establishment, federal authorities said.

 

May 2, 2024

Ohio Supreme Court sides with ex-Whirlpool employee in workers’ compensation case: Cleveland.com
The state Supreme Court ruled against Whirlpool Corp. and for its former employee Wednesday, boosting his chances of prevailing on a workplace injury compensation claim.

Area students head to court: Tribune Chronicle
The halls of various courtrooms across Trumbull County were filled Wednesday with students from local high schools looking to gain first-hand insights into the county’s legal system.

Artists turn inward to help heal others in prosecutor’s art show: The Vindicator
Gino Moffo has suffered his share of trauma, but hope and nature — along with a desire to reach out to others who have undergone a traumatic event — have placed him on the road to healing.

Two commissioners discuss lawsuit filed by colleague: Tribune Chronicle
Two of Trumbull County’s three commissioners met privately Wednesday to consult with their lawyers in connection to a lawsuit filed against them by the third commissioner and a group called Open Government Advocates.

Akron woman gets life sentence for Canton man's murder in 2023: Akron Beacon Journal
A 28-year-old woman could spend the rest of her life in prison for killing a man who lived in the city's southwest section.

Ohio jury convicts man who caused first day of school bus crash that killed 11-year-old: Columbus Dispatch
The man who was behind the wheel of a minivan that caused a Clark County school bus to overturn Aug. 22 with 52 students inside, killing one and injuring more than 20 others, was found guilty Wednesday of multiple felonies.

Second murder defendant in boys' deaths enters sealed plea: Toledo Blade
One of four adults alleged to be in the supporting cast for the late 2022 disappearances and deaths of two teenage boys pleaded guilty to undisclosed charges Wednesday morning in Lucas County Common Pleas Court.

17-year-old girl convicted in deadly hit-and-run charged with assaulting Cleveland police officer: WOIO
A Cleveland teenager involved in a hit-and-run drag racing crash that took a young couple’s life is back in the Cuyahoga County Juvenile Detention Center. Juvenile court records show the 17-year-old girl was arrested for assaulting a Cleveland police officer last week.

Middletown man sentenced to 10 years in prison after distributing fentanyl that killed someone: WCPO
Three lives have been forever changed and countless others have been impacted after a drug overdose in Middletown.

Prosecutor labels former cop ‘prolific serial rapist’: Tribune Chronicle
Former Warren police officer Michael Edwards Jr. faced his third arraignment in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court Wednesday, with court documents filed by the prosecutor in the case accusing him of possibly being “the most prolific serial rapist in Trumbull County history.”

Toledo and Lucas County Commissioners sue U.S. EPA: Toledo Blade
Local officials on Wednesday took another strike at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in an ongoing effort to try and fight Lake Erie pollution.

Judge tosses lawsuit over fatal shooting of Arthur Keith by CMHA police: Cleveland.com
A federal judge on Wednesday tossed out a lawsuit over the fatal shooting of Arthur Keith by a Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority police officer.

 

May 1, 2024

Ohio FOP asks State Supreme Court to revise juvenile justice rule as crime affects communities: WXIX
The Ohio Fraternal Order of Police submitted a letter to Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Sharon Kennedy on Monday in hopes of changing a rule regarding the juvenile justice system in the state.

Canfield car dealer granted early release from prison: The Vindicator
A businessman was expected to be released Tuesday from an Ohio prison after a judge granted judicial release, cutting more than five years off of his 13-year prison sentence for defrauding customers of the Canfield business he ran, Reinthaler’s Auto Village Inc.

Jury delivers guilty verdict in shooting: Tribune Chronicle
After an hour of deliberations, a Youngstown man was found guilty in the shooting of a Hazelwood Avenue SE man last year.

Paulding County man sentenced to life imprisonment in double murder case: The Crescent-News
A Paulding County man has been sentenced here to life imprisonment in connection to the 2022 murder of a Broughton couple.

Struthers man sentenced for child porn images: The Vindicator
A lot of times, the words used to describe child pornography can mask just how horrifying the images and videos depicted truly are.

'It's not about murder': Akron man argues he shot, killed Dominic Gray in self-defense: Akron Beacon Journal
For attorney Adam VanHo, the murder trial of his 21-year-old Akron client does not come down to who shot and killed Dominic Gray last September.

Minivan driver in fatal school bus crash testifies in his defense: Dayton Daily News
The minivan driver who crossed the center line of Route 41, striking a Northwestern school bus, killing one student and injuring dozens more last summer, testified Wednesday he did not have an Ohio driver’s license and the sun in his eyes caused the crash.

Attorneys frustrated with discovery efforts in $72M fraud case: Toledo Blade
The court case for those charged in a Ponzi scheme that allegedly bilked at least 200 people out of $72 million and resulted in eight people charged in a 204-count indictment one year ago continued its laborious pace through Lucas County Common Pleas court on Tuesday.

Cuyahoga County pays $450,000 to settle two lawsuits over overtime payments to employees: Cleveland.com
Cuyahoga County has agreed to pay $450,000 to settle two lawsuits that accused officials of failing to pay overtime to jail officers and employees of juvenile court.

McDonald woman settles sexual harassment suit against Mahoning County Sheriff's Deputy: WFMJ
An order filed by U.S. District Judge Benita Pearson has dismissed the civil suit filed by Vanessa White alleging that Deputy Edward Maloney made inappropriate comments to her, made physical advances to her, and sexually assaulted her while he was supervising her while she performed community service ordered by a court.

 

April 30, 2024

Appeal denied for Warren man convicted of wounding 9-year-old with stray bullet: WFMJ
The appeal of a Warren man who was convicted in 2023 of wounding a nine-year-old girl with a stray bullet while she was sleeping has been denied by Ohio's 11th District Court of Appeals.

Judge sends 4 to prison for fatal New Year’s Eve shooting: Cleveland.com
A teen male was sentenced to life in prison and three other males also received multiple years in prison for their roles in the slaying of a man on New Year’s Eve at a home in the city’s Kenmore neighborhood.

Domestic violence victim doesn’t show, but defendant pleads guilty: The Vindicator
A domestic violence victim refused to come to court Monday to testify against her attacker, setting up the possibility that the defendant could walk free.

Member of Tuscarawas County Board of Elections fined $200 for role in sales tax case: Times Reporter
A member of the Tuscarawas County Board of Elections has been fined $200 and ordered to serve five days in jail after pleading no contest Monday to charges of failure to pay sales taxes related to his Sugarcreek business.

Trial begins against man accused of causing deadly school bus crash: WDTN
The trial of the man accused of causing a deadly school bus crash last August began Monday with the seating of the jury.

'Chad knows what's right:' Document says father carried Bible, mumbled before killing sons: Cincinnati Enquirer
Chad Doerman paced his house carrying a Bible and mumbling, "Chad knows what's right," before killing his three sons, according to new documents filed by prosecutors.

Cuyahoga County committee to examine how justice system is working for kids here: Signal Cleveland
Cuyahoga County Council recently appointed some big players to an advisory committee that is supposed to help bring more accountability to the juvenile justice system.

This prison visitation program connects incarcerated people with everyday residents to break stereotypes: Signal Cleveland
People who serve time in prison are less likely to re-offend and return if they have a connection to the community when they’re released. 

Cleveland police officer pleads guilty to federal child pornography charges: Cleveland.com
A Cleveland police officer admitted Monday to federal charges that accused him of downloading more than 1,000 videos and photos of child pornography.

 

April 29, 2024

Former Marion County Judge found in contempt by Ohio Supreme Court: Crawford County Now
In a recent development, the Ohio Supreme Court found former Marion County Common Pleas Court Judge Jason Warner in contempt.

Appeals court throws out conviction of Euclid officer who beat motorist during 2017 traffic stop: Cleveland.com
An appeals court has thrown out Euclid police officer Michael Amiott’s 2022 misdemeanor convictions for beating a Black motorist during a traffic stop.

Judge holds monthly pro-bono clinics to help with legal needs: WOIO
The legal process can be overwhelming but a judge has set up free legal help once a month for civil cases.

Larry Householder won’t have to wait in Cuyahoga County jail for his trial on state bribery charges: Cleveland.com
Larry Householder, the former speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives who was convicted in federal court of running a $60 million corruption and bribery scheme to benefit FirstEnergy Corp., will not have to sit in the Cuyahoga County Jail as he awaits his trial on state charges tied to the scheme.

East Cleveland mayor gets an out from lawsuit seeking to oust him: Signal Cleveland
East Cleveland Mayor Brandon King was likely spared last week from an unusual court case that sought his removal from office. 

Clerk considers auto title office in suburb: The Vindicator
Mahoning County Clerk of Courts Dan Dascenzo is working on possibly opening another auto title office to provide better service to residents of the central part of the county.

Columbus firefighter guilty in causing July 2023 fatal crash while driving fire truck: Columbus Dispatch
A Columbus firefighter was found guilty Monday of vehicular manslaughter for causing a fatal crash while driving a fire truck.

Window for suspension shrinks as Stow Judge Kim Hoover awaits decision on his appeal: Akron Beacon Journal
Nearly a year has passed since the Ohio Supreme Court heard Stow Municipal Court Judge Kim Hoover's appeal of a state investigative panel's decision to penalize him for judicial misconduct.