October 2, 2023

Ohio Supreme Court declines to hear rape appeal: Ashtabula Star Beacon
The Ohio Supreme Court will not hear Dannail Obhof’s appeal of his conviction on rape charges.

Convictions, sentences upheld for two repeat violent offenders in Trumbull County: WFMJ
The Ohio 11th District Court of Appeals has upheld the convictions and prison sentences of two repeat violent offenders in Trumbull County.

What's at stake in the lawsuit over changing who controls Ohio's public education: The Columbus Dispatch
Who controls creating Ohio's statewide curriculum, education standards and long-term planning for its 1.7 million public school children could be decided, at least temporarily, by a Franklin County Court judge Monday.

TPS approves joining lawsuit to block takeover of Ohio's board of education: Toledo Blade
Toledo Public Schools board of education members are seeking to join a lawsuit challenging a law that would transfer most of the K-12 oversight powers of the State Board of Education to a governor-controlled cabinet.

Murder trial postponed because of unfortunate remarks by potential juror: The Vindicator
Unfortunate statements made by a potential juror in the re-trial of Robert L. Moore, 53, in the disappearance of Glenna J. White, 16, in 2009 from a home in Smith Township near Alliance, was postponed this morning until next week.

Judge sets $2 million bond for man accused of killing 3-year-old in Cleveland’s Stockyard neighborhood: Cleveland.com
A judge Monday set a $2 million bond for a man accused of killing a 3-year-old boy last week on the city’s West Side.

Last of three Toledo men arrested in Columbus human trafficking sting with teen sentenced: The Columbus Dispatch
The last of three men from the Toledo area who were arrested last year in Columbus for suspected sex trafficking in a statewide sting has taken a plea deal and been sentenced.

Lakota school board to meet for first time since protection order issued: The Enquirer
A Greater Cincinnati school board will meet Monday night for the first time since a judge ordered one board member not to be within 500 feet of another board member.

Ohio couple sentenced to prison for fraud scheme involving dubious Alzheimer's diagnoses: The Columbus Dispatch
An Ohio woman who worked as the director of a memory care center and was sued by patients for giving dozens of false Alzheimer's diagnoses has been sentenced to 71 months in prison on federal fraud charges.

US judge refuses to block Medicare from negotiating drug prices: Reuters
The U.S. government's Medicare health insurance program can begin negotiating prices for some prescription drugs this fall under a new program, a federal judge ruled on Friday, vindicating one of President Joe Biden's signature initiatives.

 

September 29, 2023

Supreme Court says oil well owner can collect $50,000 pollution fine from Austintown driller: WFMJ
The Ohio Supreme Court has ruled that an oil well owner can recoup a $50,000 fine for pollution violations caused by an Austintown-based oil drilling company.

Grant boosts Akron Municipal Court effort to reduce Ohio's highest eviction rate: Akron Beacon Journal
The Akron Municipal Court has received a $240,000 grant from the National Center for State Courts to help the city lower the highest eviction rate in the state.

Peninsula police issued 8,900 traffic tickets since April, says speeding reduced: Akron Beacon Journal
Peninsula police officers using handheld speed cameras have issued 8,900 speeding citations since launching a program officials say is influencing people to drive slower.

Darbi Boddy can attend Lakota school board meetings during appeal, judge orders: Cincinnati Enquirer
Lakota School Board Member Darbi Boddy can attend school board meetings while she tries to overturn a civil protection order requiring her to stay away from fellow Board Member Isaac Adi.

Former Austintown trustee to serve sentence despite appeal: WKBN
There has been a new ruling on the prison sentence for former Austintown Trustee Steve Kent. It was decided Wednesday that he will have to begin his prison term even though he’s appealing his conviction and sentence.

Amid ‘bad actors’ and benefits, addiction experts urge Ohio to regulate kratom: WCMH
A plant known for its caffeine-like effects and potential to help with opioid addiction may soon fall under the purview of the state. A bill to regulate kratom, a tree native to southeast Asia and sold in various forms online and in U.S. head shops, would end the legal gray area the substance occupies.

Ohio Launches Appeal Over Wine Shipping: Wine Searcher
In 2019, the US Supreme Court seemed to open the floodgates for retail stores to ship wine to out-of-state customers. But lower courts have been ignoring its decision ever since, and SCOTUS has declined three requests from shipping advocates to take up the issue again. While the three previous appeals to SCOTUS came from retail stores that lost their case, this one comes from the state of Ohio.

 

September 28, 2023

What's the future of Ohio's ban on most abortions? Justices raise questions Wednesday: Cincinnati Enquirer
Ohio Supreme Court justices offered a glimpse into how they might rule on whether to reinstate Ohio's ban on most abortions − a decision that could have sweeping consequences for abortion lawsuits across the nation.

Ohio Supreme Court hears arguments in six-week abortion ban case: WCMH
Before Ohio voters decide whether to constitutionally protect the right to abortion, the Ohio Supreme Court may allow a six-week ban on the procedure to take effect.

Ohio wants to revive a strict abortion law. Justices are weighing the legal arguments: Associated Press
Ohio Supreme Court justices vigorously questioned the state’s lawyer Wednesday about a legal strategy that Ohio is attempting in hopes of reviving its law banning most abortions except in the earliest weeks of pregnancy.

Commissioners receive court consolidation report: Star-Beacon
The Ashtabula County Board of Commissioners has received a study from the Ohio Supreme Court regarding the viability of consolidating county courts. Commissioner Casey Kozlowski said the Ohio Supreme Court conducted a study of the caseloads of the Eastern and Western County courts.

Appeals court upholds conviction in Auglaize County obstruction case: Lima News
Ohio’s Third District Court of Appeals, in a ruling issued Monday, upheld the conviction of a woman found guilty by an Auglaize County jury earlier this year of resisting arrest.

Judge, Summit County settle lawsuit with employee who deputies attacked entering courthouse: Cleveland.com
A Summit County Probate Court judge is among several officials who agreed to pay $82,500 to settle a lawsuit filed by a court psychologist after he was attacked by sheriff’s deputies entering the downtown courthouse.

Lake County drug court, mental health court earn specialized certification from state: The News-Herald
The Lake County Drug Court and Mental Health Court at the Mentor Municipal Court have earned final certification from the Ohio Supreme Court on specialized dockets.

Man shouts, curses after Hamilton County judge rules he no longer faces death penalty: Cincinnati Enquirer
A Hamilton County judge on Wednesday said a mentally ill man charged with killing four people will no longer face the death penalty, citing a recently enacted state law that prohibits the execution of someone found to have a serious mental illness.

Ohio Senate passes bill to help victims of Boy Scout sex abuse in bankruptcy case: Columbus Dispatch
Ohioans who were sexually abused by Boy Scout leaders waited months for lawmakers to act on legislation that would help them seek financial relief. Their wait is finally over.

 

September 27, 2023

Ohio Supreme Court to hear arguments Wednesday about ban on most abortions: Cincinnati Enquirer
As Ohioans prepare to vote on an abortion rights measure this November, the Ohio Supreme Court will review whether to reinstate a 2019 ban on most abortions in the state.

Ohio Supreme Court to hear oral arguments today on state’s ‘heartbeat’ abortion ban: WHIO
The Ohio Supreme Court will hear oral arguments today in a case challenging the state’s ‘Heartbeat’ abortion ban bill. The case comes to the court after the state appealed a lower court order blocking Ohio’s six-week abortion ban.

Columbus lawyer admits using client trust account as 'personal checking account.' Now he's suspended: WSYX
The Supreme Court of Ohio suspended a Columbus attorney after investigators with the state's board overseeing lawyers and judges said he did not follow through when paid to represent a family in their case to adopt two children.

Appellate Court: Girard's Pit Bull ban is unconstitutional: WFMJ
Dog lovers in Girard will be free to own any breed they choose after a decision by the Girard Municipal Court was upheld, ruling that the city can no longer ban pit bull terriers.

City of Youngstown appeals dismissal of charges against former police officer: WKBN
The city has asked the Seventh District Court of Appeals to overturn a decision in June by Visiting Judge Mark Frost dismissing the charges against former police Lt. Brian Flynn.

2 Cuyahoga County domestic relations judges call for colleague to relinquish chief judge position: Cleveland.com
Two Cuyahoga County Domestic Relations Court judges have called on Judge Leslie Ann Celebrezze to relinquish her role as the court’s top jurist.

Judge: Man accused of throwing boy into Ohio River will continue to face death penalty: Cincinnati Enquirer
A man accused of throwing a 3-year-old boy from a bridge into the Ohio River and fatally stabbing the boy's mother will continue to face the death penalty, a judge ruled Tuesday, finding that the man was not suffering from a serious mental illness at the time.

Judge denies former council member Gary Johnson's requests for acquittal and new trial: WTOL
A federal judge denied requests for an acquittal and a new trial from former Toledo City Council member Gary Johnson, who in June was found guilty of taking bribes in exchange for votes while in office.

From California to Ohio in 4 years: The William McKinley statue's long journey to Canton: The Alliance Review
The bronze statue of President William McKinley is almost ready to take its place outside the Stark County Courthouse.

 

September 26, 2023

'This court has given me hope': First-of-its-kind mental health docket for Franklin County inspires change: WSYX
RISE stands for Reaching Individual Success Every day. It’s working to make a difference for participants instead of immediately incarcerating them.

‘I will keep fighting’: Court favors property owner in bike path case: WKBN
A Green Township man who’s at odds with administrators of the Mill Creek MetroParks promises he will continue fighting against the extension of a hike-and-bike trail through his property after a victory in court last week.

Jury finds Akron brothers not guilty of involuntary manslaughter in death of Ethan Liming during attack over pellet gun: Cleveland.com
A Summit County jury found two brothers not guilty of involuntary manslaughter Monday in the beating death of 17-year-old Ethan Liming, an attack that came after Liming repeatedly shot at them with a pellet gun last summer.

Man who killed his father gets 18 to life: The Vindicator
There was very little for Judge Anthony D’Apolito to do during the sentencing hearing for Michael N. Bruno, 50, except to order him to serve 18 years to life in prison for killing his father, Michael J. Bruno, 74, in their Boardman home Sept. 17, 2022.

Will accused killer of Cincinnati mother and toddler face death penalty? Judge decides Tuesday: WXIX
Nearly three years after the vicious slayings of a Cincinnati mother and her 3-year-old son, a judge is expected to announce Tuesday whether their accused killer will continue to face the death penalty.

Derek Myers wins appeal in traffic case after district court ruling: Scioto Valley Guardian
On Friday, it was announced that Myers had a traffic ticket overturned by the Fourth District Court of Appeals. The appeal stems from an accident in 2022 where Myers was following a car too closely that was turning at an intersection in Union Township outside of Athens.

Learn more about Ross County with Ohio Historical Markers: Chillicothe Gazette
The current location of Ross County Courthouse is also the location of Ohio's first statehouse. According to the marker the building, located on North Paint Street, was built in 1801 and in 1802 was where Ohio's first constitution was written.

North Olmsted house-flipper who called himself ‘Cash Flow King’ ran $11 million Ponzi scheme, SEC lawsuit says: Cleveland.com
A North Olmsted house-flipper who called himself “The Cash Flow King” is accused in a lawsuit of running an $11 million Ponzi scheme that ripped off dozens of investors.

 

September 25, 2023

Ohio Supreme Court denies challenge to clerk, judge candidacies for Cleveland Municipal Court: Cleveland.com
The Ohio Supreme Court denied a request to remove clerk and judicial candidates for Cleveland Municipal Court from the Nov. 7 ballot, concluding that the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections properly applied the law with the candidates.

Ohio Supreme Court takes up challenge to Bellefontaine ballot issue that would ban public drag shows: Cleveland.com
The Ohio Supreme Court has taken up a case challenging Secretary of State Frank LaRose’s decision giving the green light for a Central Ohio city to hold a vote in November on a proposed ordinance banning public drag queen performances within city limits.

Lawsuit against Kent City School District heads to the Ohio Supreme Court: The Portager
A former Kent teacher says the school district did not follow its own rules for not renewing his contract. Kent City School District disagreed, and the case has now reached the Ohio Supreme Court.

Akron Municipal Court receives $240,000 grant to invest in eviction diversion efforts: Ideastream Public Media
Akron Municipal Court will take another step to combat the eviction crisis after receiving a $240,000 grant from the National Center for State Courts’ Eviction Diversion Initiative.

Summit County jurors recess for weekend without verdict in Stafford brothers' trial: Akron Beacon Journal
Summit County jurors didn’t reach a verdict Friday after two days of deliberations in the Stafford brothers' trial for charges stemming from Ethan Liming’s death.

Trial date set for Clermont County father accused of killing 3 young sons: WLWT
A trial date has been set for the father accused of murdering his three sons in Clermont County. The four-week trial has been set for July 8-Aug. 2, 2024.

Hocking County Commissioner indicted over $19K in alleged fraudulent purchases: WCMH
A Hocking County grand jury has indicted a Hocking County Commissioner for making fraudulent credit card purchases worth over $19,000 in 2022.

 

September 22, 2023

Former Marion County judge Jason Warner and his wife scheduled to be released from prison: Marion Star
A former Marion County judge and his wife who were convicted of leaving the scene of a two-vehicle accident in 2020 are scheduled to be released from prison over the next two weeks.

Judge temporarily blocks overhaul of Ohio's K-12 education system following lawsuit: WBNS
A Franklin County judge granted a temporary restraining order Thursday in a lawsuit filed by seven Ohio Board of Education members against the state of Ohio and Governor Mike DeWine for their takeover of the state's public education.

Teens in court must face judges who are Oakwood High School students: Dayton Daily News
The diversionary program allows first-time offenders who are minors and fit the criteria — regardless of where they live — to avoid Montgomery County Juvenile Court and a possible criminal record.

Court delays decision for fourth time whether to grant murderer a new trial: WKRC
Two local families will have to wait another month before they learn whether a convicted murderer will get a new trial -- both families hoping for the opposite results.

Man hired to renovate Ohio couple's home locked owners out, moved himself in, police say: Cincinnati Enquirer
Wayne Colwell Jr., 52, was indicted earlier this month on counts including theft and unauthorized use of property, according to Hamilton County Common Pleas Court records.

Lawyer for minivan driver in fatal school bus crash wants case moved from Clark County: Springfield News-Sun
The lawyer for the minivan driver involved in a crash with a school bus last month in which one child died and dozens more were injured has requested the case be heard outside of Clark County due to its publicity.

Youngstown-Warren Black Caucus honors Judge Baldwin at annual banquet: WFMJ
Six years ago, Youngstown Municipal Court Judge Carla Baldwin became the first African American female judge in Mahoning County. Since then, she's established a drug court and veterans treatment court, and revamped the bail and bond system in muni court.

Partnership fast-tracks law degrees with Central State, Akron Law: WDTN
Central State University is partnering with the University of Akron ‘s law school to create a fast track to become a lawyer, the schools announced Wednesday.

 

September 21, 2023

Ohio Supreme Court approves Dominion Energy's rate increase to cover past infrastructure costs: WFMJ
On Wednesday, the Supreme Court of Ohio ruled that a portion of a PUCO order allowing the energy company to collect $73 million for its Northeast Ohio customers to pay for capital improvements to its natural gas distribution infrastructure is not unreasonable or unlawful.

Ottawa Hills Schools implement spending freeze, anticipate staff cuts: Toledo Blade
Ottawa Hills Local Schools officials are anticipating staffing cuts and have implemented a spending freeze in light of the Ohio Supreme Court's rejection to place the district's 12.9-mill levy on the fall ballot.

Client of suspended Coshocton attorney reimbursed for services not rendered: Coshocton Tribune
The Board of Commissioners of the Lawyers’ Fund for Client Protection recently reimbursed $465,462.39 to 18 victims of attorney theft. Three former or suspended Ohio attorneys were determined to have engaged in dishonest conduct resulting in financial losses to their clients.

Akron jury finds Sydney Powell guilty of mother's 2020 murder: WKYC
A Summit County jury has convicted 23-year-old Sydney Powell for the brutal killing of her mother in 2020. Powell on Wednesday was convicted of two counts of murder as well as one count each of felonious assault and tampering with evidence.

Group fighting to save Cudell Park and 40 trees granted temporary restraining order: WOIO
Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge Nancy Russo has granted a TRO or temporary restraining order against the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, in favor of Friends of Cudell Commons Park and their effort to save green space at Cudell Park, including 40 trees.

Hundreds of volunteers to gather in Columbus for training to help kids in court system: WSYX
Hundreds of child welfare advocates from all over Ohio, including volunteers, judges, and attorneys, will gather for an annual conference for training in advocating for children in the court system.

‘They can’t give me my life back’: Prosecutors won’t retry man who spent 35 years in prison for a Cleveland murder he says he didn’t commit: Cleveland.com
Cuyahoga County prosecutors told a judge this week that they will not pursue a second trial of a man who spent 35 years in prison for a murder that he says he didn’t commit.

 

September 20, 2023

Ohio Supreme Court orders tweak of abortion ballot language, most GOP words will remain: Cincinnati Enquirer
The Ohio Supreme Court ordered the Ohio Ballot Board to reword a portion of its ballot language for an abortion rights amendment, but the majority of the GOP-written wording will remain in place.

Ohio Supreme Court partially sides with abortion amendment backers on ballot language: Cleveland.com
The Ohio Supreme Court ordered the Ohio Ballot Board, which writes the wording for initiatives on state ballots, to reconvene and fix part of how it describes the abortion rights constitutional amendment on the Nov. 7 ballot.

Lawsuit filed to block sweeping Ohio 'education takeover': Toledo Blade
Seven Democratic panel members overseeing Ohio's K-12 education system on Tuesday sought an injunction against a new law stripping them of most of their powers that would be transferred to a governor-controlled education department.

Hearing to decide suspect’s fate in Ohio quadruple murder case: WDTN
The man accused of murdering four people in Butler Township last August could face the death penalty. However, the question remains if he will stand trial.

Final sentence in adult court handed down in Halpern killing: Lima News
Two Lima area teenagers were sentenced Tuesday — one in Allen County Common Pleas Court, the other several miles away in the county’s juvenile court — for their respective roles in the June 2022 shooting death of 17-year-old Jaden Halpern.

Man who rigged stepfather’s house to blow up gets life in prison for murder: Dayton Daily News
A Miami County judge Tuesday sentenced a former St. Paris man to life in prison without parole eligibility for 30 years in a Feb. 12 explosion and fire at a Laura house in which his stepfather received fatal injuries.

Struthers judge resigns from position: WKBN
Struthers Municipal Court Judge Dom Leone has resigned from his position, the Supreme Court of Ohio confirmed. The resignation goes into effect on Sept. 29.

 

September 19, 2023

Yost: 'The Bank hired the robbers to do security' on ex-zoo executives indicted Monday: The Columbus Dispatch
Three former Columbus Zoo And Aquarium executives were named Monday in a 90-count indictment, including multiple felony counts of theft, bribery and engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity.

Victims awarded $200K after theft by former Cuyahoga County attorney: WOIO
Four years after a Cuyahoga County attorney was accused of stealing from her clients, Ohio court officials say two victims are receiving reimbursement.

$200,000 grant for Mansfield Municipal Court’s specialty dockets on council agenda: Richland Source
The annual grant will be used for personnel costs in four specialty courts — Domestic Violence Court, Drug Court, Mental Health Court and Veterans Court, according to legislation on council’s agenda.

Columbus settles excessive force lawsuit for $200,000: WCMH
The city of Columbus will settle with a Delaware County man who claimed he suffered lasting injuries due to use of excessive force while being arrested by five Columbus police officers after a single-car accident.

A hurried change to a law meant for crime victims now shields the identities of officers who kill: WCHM
When a sweeping piece of victims’ rights legislation went into effect in April, it was a culmination of five years of work: meetings, draft legislation and intense collaboration among law enforcement, victims’ rights groups, courts and lawyers.

Judge warns Rep. Bob Young after he's accused of using GPS device to stalk family member: Akron Beacon Journal
State Rep. Bob Young allegedly used a GPS tracking device to track a family member's movements after a protection order was issued following his July domestic violence and assault arrest, according to an affidavit filed with Barberton Municipal Court.

Akron Municipal Court announces October weddings, including Halloween at LeBron James’ House Three Thirty: Cleveland.com
Akron Municipal Court is partnering with three venues to offer fall and Halloween-themed wedding ceremonies for area couples next month at Luther’s Farm Market, House Three Thirty and the Akron Civic Theatre.

Frank Ardis, longtime municipal court judge, remembered for compassion, legal knowledge: Mansfield News Journal
Ardis, a longtime attorney and Mansfield Municipal Court judge since 2010, passed away early Sunday. Fellow Municipal Court Judge Jerry Ault said Ardis died at a Columbus hospital.

 

September 18, 2023

Court suspends law license of convicted Toledo councilman: The Toledo Blade
The Ohio Supreme Court this week suspended indefinitely the law license of former Toledo city councilman Tyrone Riley following his guilty plea to conspiracy to violate the Hobbs Act.

16 women graduate from CATCH Court, a criminal justice program for victims of human trafficking: Ohio Capital Journal
Liyah Guilkey was able to leave prison to access CATCH Court, a specialized docket in the Franklin County Municipal Court for women in the system who are victims of human trafficking.

Judge Cubbon leaves legacy of innovation: Toledo Blade
Leaving a legacy of protecting the community while working on innovative alternatives to changing the behavior of wayward juveniles to reduce incarceration, Judge Denise Navarre Cubbon will retire at the end of the month.

Ohio state Rep. Bob Young charged with menacing, violating protection order in Barberton Municipal Court: WKYC
Ohio state Rep. Bob Young is facing two more new criminal charges according to Barberton Municipal Court records. Records show that on Friday, Sept. 15, Young was charged with menacing by stalking and violating a protection order on July 31.

Franklin County set to pay $6.5 million to settle lawsuit over deputy fatally shooting teen: The Columbus Dispatch
Franklin County is set to pay $6.5 million to settle a federal wrongful death lawsuit in the fatal shooting of a 16-year-old boy by a county sheriff's deputy during a scuffle outside a juvenile courtroom in 2018.

Franklin County Municipal Court holding record sealing, expungement event next weekend: WSYX
The Franklin County Municipal Court is holding a clinic to help people navigate sealing and expunging old criminal records.

New FIRST program keeping Cuyahoga County families together, avoiding DCFS custody: Cleveland.com
If not for a new program through the Cuyahoga County Public Defender’s Office, single mother Cheryl F. likely would have lost custody of her two sons earlier this year, when they were acting out in school and skipping class.

Ohio program grants survivors extra privacy when voting: WCMH
With two major issues on the ballot this fall, there is a program in Ohio that grants people extra privacy when they register to vote or update their records.

Illinois becomes the first state to abolish cash bail: NPR
The change follows more than two years of intense debate among politicians, scholars, law enforcement officials, judges and the general public.