March 31, 2023

Ohio Supreme Court denies Gold election petition: The Marietta Times
The Supreme Court of Ohio rejected a Marietta mayoral hopeful’s petition to have his name placed on the May 2 ballot. Ari Gold, owner of the TLV Restaurant on Front Street, filed a writ of mandamus petition earlier this month to compel the Washington County Board of Elections to put his name on the Democratic primary ballot after the board rejected his petition in February.

Given appointed to Coshocton County Court of Common Pleas, Juvenile and Probate Division: WHIZ
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine Friday announced the appointment of Jason Given to the Coshocton County Court of Common Pleas, Juvenile and Probate Division. Given, of Coshocton, will assume office on May 1, 2023, and will be taking the seat held by Judge Van Blanchard, who is retiring. Given must run for election in November 2024 to retain the seat.

Lawyer accused of bringing meth into Cuyahoga County Jail indicted on drug, child porn charges: Cleveland.com
A grand jury has charged a local attorney with felony drug possession and child pornography charges after he was caught with methamphetamine inside the Cuyahoga County Jail in December.

Euclid police officer Michael Amiott faces sentencing today for assault and interfering with civil rights in excessive force case: WKYC
More than eight months after he was found guilty of assault and interfering with civil rights amid an excessive force trial, Euclid police officer Michael Amiott is due back in court for sentencing at 10 a.m. today.

Man jailed by housing judge freed, plans to get to work: WJW
Ivey’s case sparked a firestorm when Cleveland Housing Court Judge Moná Scott sent him to jail, since some violent criminals don’t even get time behind bars. The release from jail comes after Ivey served more than half of a 90-day sentence. The judge ruled he could go home now that he has a detailed plan for repairs.

Owner of former Ohio resort faces jail time in Michigan: WDTN
As the absentee owner of the former Fort Rapids Indoor Waterpark Resort faces $1,000 daily fines and litigation in three Columbus courtrooms, there’s another threat 300 miles away: the inside of a jail cell in Michigan.

 

March 30, 2023

Ohio Attorney General asks state Supreme Court to dismiss case challenging abortion-rights amendment: Cleveland.com
The Ohio Ballot Board properly exercised its discretion when it determined a proposed abortion-rights amendment to the state constitution contained just one issue, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost wrote to the Ohio Supreme Court on Wednesday.

Ohio high court reverses in assisted living employee vs. contractor case: Business Insurance
The Ohio Supreme Court has reversed a ruling by the state’s 10th District Court of Appeals that sided with a company that provides in-home care to developmentally disabled individuals who asserted that its workers are independent contractors and not employees.

Former Butler County auditor Roger Reynolds will be sentenced Friday: The Enquirer
The fate of former Butler County auditor Roger Reynolds will be decided Friday. A jury found Reynolds guilty of one count of unlawful interest in a public contract, a fourth-degree felony, in December. Reynolds was acquitted of four other charges related to public corruption.

Widow of Canton man gunned down by police refiles $1M wrongful death lawsuit: WOIO
The widow of a Canton man who was gunned down by police after firing celebratory shots has refiled a$1 million wrongful death lawsuit against the city and officers involved.

11 Investigates: Reintegration a challenge for returning offenders: WTOL
On Tuesday afternoon, Lucas County Common Pleas Court Judge Gary Cook granted Wayne Braddy and Karl Willis judicial release. But one of the requirements for the men, who spent more than 23 years in prison, is that they receive mentoring from Willie Knighten and other members of his Above & Beyond Care behavioral health program.

Hyman named new Paulding County juvenile judge: The Crescent-News
Harvey Hyman has been appointed by Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine as Paulding County’s new probate and juvenile court judge. An attorney in Paulding where he served as the village government’s solicitor, Hyman will take office on April 11, replacing Michael Wehrkamp who stepped down in October at the age of 38.

Emergency hearing on old courthouse demolition: WKEF
On Wednesday morning, a Miami County judge issued an injunction order, preventing any further demolition to the site of the old Troy courthouse, pending an emergency hearing on Wednesday afternoon.

 

March 29, 2023

Ohio Supreme Court sets schedule in abortion lawsuit: Dayton Daily News
The Ohio Supreme Court on Tuesday set the schedule for a lawsuit from Cincinnati Right to Life against the Ohio Ballot Board regarding a citizen-led ballot initiative that would ensure access to abortion.

Ohio Supreme Court denies East Cleveland’s request to reconsider $12 million judgment in high-speed chase: Cleveland.com
The Ohio Supreme Court on Tuesday denied a request by East Cleveland city officials to reconsider a previously decided case awarding $12 million to two people struck by a police cruiser during a 2008 chase.

Ohio Supreme Court chief justice kicks Cuyahoga County judge off case of man who claims he is innocent: Cleveland.com
Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Sharon Kennedy on Tuesday removed a Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court judge from presiding over the case of a man whose 2002 murder conviction was overturned.

Toledo men convicted in decades-old murder to be freed ‘in the interest of justice’: WTVG
Two men previously convicted of aggravated murder in a years-old case are set to be released from prison Tuesday night after taking a plea deal in what their legal counsel and prosecutors call an agreement “in the interest of justice.”

Judge who presided over Alex Murdaugh trial speaks at Cleveland State University: WKYC
The judge who presided over the high-profile murder trial and conviction of South Carolina attorney Alex Murdaugh was back in Cleveland on Tuesday. Judge Clifton Newman, a 1976 graduate of Cleveland State University's law school, spoke to an audience at CSU's College of Law’s Moot Court Room.

Commissioners OK purchase of 28 stun guns for courts: Mansfield News Journal
The Richland County commissioners agreed Tuesday to spend $118,447 from the county’s reinvestment fund to pay for new stun guns for Adult Court Services and several of the county courts.

 

March 28, 2023

Murder retrial starts today for man convicted in woman’s death who represented himself: Dayton Daily News
Chuckie Lee, 44, had been sentenced to 61 years in prison after a Montgomery County jury nearly six years ago found him guilty of murder, felonious assault and gun charges. An appeals court has since overturned Lee’s conviction and ordered a new trial.

Convicted rapist asks court to appoint appeal attorney: The Athens Messenger
A Logan man who was sentenced to 28 years to life in prison after being convicted of multiple sex crimes against juvenile girls has given indication that, as his defense attorney promised, he will appeal the outcome of his trial in Hocking County Common Pleas Court.

10 East Cleveland police officers face judge amid criminal charges, bond set at $10,000 each: WKYC
Nearly three weeks after charges were announced against 11 current and former East Cleveland police officers, 10 of them faced a judge for their arraignment Tuesday morning in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court.

Trial for $28K Lake Erie fishing scandal to begin today: The Enquirer
Jacob Runyan, 43, of Broadview Heights, Ohio, and Chase Cominsky, 36, of Hermitage, Pennsylvania, will stand trial at 1:30 p.m. Monday in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court before Judge Steven Gall.

Former Licking County official sentenced to 30 months in prison for invoice scheme: The Columbus Dispatch
A former building services director for Licking County was sentenced to 30 months in prison Monday after he admitted to his role in the theft of nearly $193,000 from the county through a phony invoice scheme.

County protective services officers win fight over guns — for now: WJW
The FOX 8 I-Team has learned a judge has issued a ruling in favor of Cuyahoga County Protective Services officers in their battle to keep carrying guns in county buildings with courts.

Ohio State Bar Foundation to host ‘The Color of Justice: Racial Inequities in the Justice System’ virtual symposium: The Highland County Press
The Ohio State Bar Foundation (OSBF) is pleased to announce The Color of Justice: Racial Inequities in the Justice System, a virtual symposium that will build understanding around barriers in the justice system, the populations being affected and opportunities for change on an individual and systemic level.

 

March 27, 2023

Court upholds ruling; damaged Troy tavern building not approved for demolition: Dayton Daily News
The 1800s era Tavern building in downtown Troy will not be demolished in the immediate future, after Ohio’s 2nd District Court of Appeals on Friday upheld a Miami County judge’s ruling.

Hearing set in federal court to determine how train derailment suits proceed: WKBN
A hearing will be held Friday in federal court to determine how class action lawsuits filed in the wake of the East Palestine train derailment case should proceed.

'I have never been treated this badly.' Massillon teacher nears lawsuit settlement: The Repository
A teacher is nearing a settlement over her federal discrimination lawsuit against the Massillon school board, accusing it of failing to stop a fellow teacher’s sex-based harassment and for allowing administrators and colleagues to retaliate against her for lodging the complaints.

Judges selected for leadership roles in Summit County court: Akron Beacon Journal
Kathryn Michael has been chosen as the administrative judge in Summit County Common Pleas Court for the remainder of this year. Michael, who has been a Summit County judge since 2018, will be responsible for the administration, docket and calendar of the general division.

Hilliard hired a full-time victim advocate. But what do victim advocates do?: WOSU
The city of Hilliard recently hired its first full-time victim advocate to work with victims of crimes going through the legal system in more than a dozen local courts. Cynthia Newsome said the job is a hybrid of legal and social work.

Summit County Juvenile Court seeking volunteers for citizens board: Akron Beacon Journal
The review board consists of community volunteers who help determine if the best interest of children in dependency, neglect and abuse cases are being met.

 

March 24, 2023

Ohio Supreme Court suspends ex-attorney sentenced to prison for stealing from clients’ special needs trusts: Cleveland.com
The Ohio Supreme Court on Thursday suspended a former attorney who was sentenced to prison last week for stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from her clients, many of whom were elderly and developmentally disabled.

Hyman Appointed to Paulding Court of Common Pleas, Probate & Juvenile Division: Mercer County Outlook
Governor Mike DeWine announced yesterday the appointment of Harvey Hyman to the Paulding County Court of Common Pleas, Probate and Juvenile Division.

Walker grand jury seating is April 10: Akron Beacon Journal
A special grand jury will be chosen in Summit County Common Pleas Court on April 10 to decide whether charges are warranted in Walker’s death, said Judge Susan Baker Ross, who oversees the grand jury process for the court.

Johnstown man sentenced for beating Dublin man to death in his home: The Columbus Dispatch
On Thursday, Franklin County Common Pleas Judge Stephen McIntosh sentenced Finnegan to a minimum prison term of eight years, at the recommendation of both prosecutors and Finnegan's defense attorney.

Sheetz ends its bid to build gas station in Boston Heights: Akron Beacon Journal
Sheetz is abandoning its hopes of constructing a gas station in Boston Heights. On Monday, the company withdrew an appeal that it had filed in Summit County Common Pleas Court after the village decided to block the plan in November.

Dog comforts children testifying in local court: WKBN
It was the first time man’s best friend was in a Trumbull County Courtroom to be beside a child victim while on the witness stand. He might have been laying down, but the dog, named Avery, was hard at work.

Monfort takes joy from helping others excel: Lima News
Trained as a substance abuse counselor, Monfort assists in three specialty courts operated through the Allen County Common Pleas Court. Judge Jeffrey Reed oversees the drug court and mental health court proceedings while Judge Terri Kohlrieser runs the re-entry court.

 

March 23, 2023

Adams County Sheriff's deputies suing Afroman for commercial use of surveillance video from raid on his home: WCPO
In a lawsuit filed in the Adams County Court of Common Pleas, seven members of the sheriff's office claim Afroman used surveillance video of the raid for multiple commercial purposes, destroying their image.

Franklin County proposes program to curb teen car thefts: WCMH
Juvenile car theft has become one of the city’s most common crimes in the last two years, and it can end deadly. Now the juvenile court system is working on a program aimed at breaking that cycle and getting to the root of the issue.

Judge refuses bond for accused killer, awaiting second trial for leaving woman in roadway: WSYX
Tim Healy has sat through multiple bond hearings, and even part of a trial, for the man accused of killing his daughter. Now he’ll have to sit through another after a mistrial was declared last month in the trial of Antoine Phillips.

Judge in Rowan Sweeney case says he will stick to timetable for second defendant for now: WKBN
Despite a glitch in the trial date of the first person charged in the death of a 4-year-old Struthers boy, the trial date for the second defendant in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court will remain the same for now.

Pre-trial hearing brings Warren fatal fire suspects back to court: WKBN
Two of the three suspects facing capital murder charges in connection to a deadly fire in Warren earlier this year were back in court for pre-trial hearings.

Fiancé of Katelyn Markham arrested for her murder, prosecutor says: WXIX
The fiancé of Katelyn Markham has been arrested on two counts of murder in connection with her death, according to Butler County Prosecutor Mike Gmoser.

 

March 22, 2023

Justices hear challenge to Ohio's arson registry: Toledo Blade
The Ohio Supreme Court on Tuesday considered the constitutionality of the state's decade-old law requiring those convicted of arson to register for life with the state.

Ohio Chief Justice rejects move to remove judge from YSU stadium low flight case: WFMJ
Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Sharon Kennedy has rejected a request by a defense attorney to have Youngstown Municipal Judge Carla Baldwin remove herself from hearing the case of a pilot charged after allegedly flying too close to the stadium during a YSU football game more than three years ago.

Hamilton’s unique Empowerment Docket aims to help city’s homeless: Journal-News
Three years ago, Hamilton Municipal Court Judge Daniel Gattermeyer started a special docket that is believed to be the first of its kind. At 10 a.m. on the second Wednesday of every month, the Hamilton judge hears cases in his Empowerment Docket which is for people charged with low-level crimes and are homeless.

Lima Municipal Treatment Court is helping people who struggle with drug and alcohol addiction: Hometown Stations
The Lima Municipal Treatment Court is helping those addicted to drugs or alcohol get the second chance they need. There are two programs in at the Lima municipal court, the first one was started in 2015 and since then 168 people have gone through the program with 66 of them graduating.

Driver of car who struck Bluffton police officer gets 21 years behind bars: Lima News
The driver of a car that struck and killed a Bluffton police officer during a high-speed chase almost a year ago accepted a plea offer from prosecutors Tuesday that called for him to spend the next 21 years behind bars.

Full 6th circuit to hear Danny Lee Hill’s appeal: The Vindicator
The U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals has decided to hold a full panel hearing to decide whether death row inmate Danny Lee Hill deserves a new hearing to determine whether there is new information to determine whether bite mark evidence was admissible in his 1985 murder case.

 

March 21, 2023

Funeral homes fighting over $1.3M in pre-paid contracts end up in Ohio Supreme Court: The Columbus Dispatch
The lower courts decided that the contract information allegedly swiped by Orians was publicly available through the Ohio Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors or online searches. The Ohio Supreme Court will hold oral arguments on the case on Wednesday.

Lawsuit: Ohio Ballot Board should have split abortion amendment into multiple issues: The Enquirer
Abortion opponents say the Ohio Ballot Board should have divided the proposed abortion amendment into multiple ballot issues, according to a lawsuit filed at the Ohio Supreme Court Monday.

Cleveland teen faces 25 years in prison after admitting to shooting Case Western student during carjacking spree: Cleveland.com
A 15-year-old boy faces 25 years in prison after he pleaded guilty Monday to shooting a Case Western Reserve University student and robbing four other people.

Murder trial begins after man ‘executed’ at Roselawn barbershop: Fox 19
The murder trial is underway of a man accused of brutally gunning down a customer getting a birthday shave at a Roselawn barbershop. Jahman Akins, 28, “executed” Kevin Suttles, 38, by shooting him nine times in the head and torso as he sat in a barber’s chair around 3 p.m. on Jan. 5, 2021, prosecutors have said and court records show.

Cleveland man sues Shaker Heights police for using stun-gun, releasing police dog on him: Cleveland.com
A Cleveland man accused Shaker Heights police of using a stun gun and releasing a police dog on him, even though he posed no threat to the officers.

Franklin County hiring more victim advocates to help with increasing crime caseloads: The Columbus Dispatch
Navigating Franklin County Common Pleas Court can be traumatizing and confusing for victims, family members of victims, and witnesses — people impacted by some of the most egregious crimes like murder or rape.

 

March 20, 2023

Ohio Supreme Court won’t review local man’s case against Alliance Police: The Logan Daily News
The Ohio Supreme Court has refused to hear the appeal of a Hocking County man whose lawsuit against police and city officials in Alliance, Ohio was dismissed by a Stark County judge.

Court to couple: No legal fee refund for you: The Vindicator
The 7th District Court of Appeals has ruled a Lowellville couple that sued Lowellville Local Schools over a 2020 Ohio Open Meetings Act violation is not entitled to be paid for legal fees.

Jury convicts man, 78, of murders of 2 women in the 1970s in Summit County: Cleveland.com
A 78-year-old Stark County man has been found guilty of multiple murder charges in connection with the slayings of two women in the 1970s in Summit County.

Public corruption: Sentencing Monday for Butler County official who quit, pleaded guilty: WXIX
A longtime Butler County elected official who was recently forced to step down amid public corruption-related charges will now be sentenced at 8:30 a.m. Monday.

Stockholders sue Norfolk Southern claiming securities violations: WFMJ
Norfolk Southern and three of the railroad’s top executives are being sued by some of their own stockholders claiming federal securities laws were violated by alleged false statements issued before and after the toxic derailment, fire, and chemical spill in East Palestine.

Judge in Alex Murdaugh trial to speak at Cleveland State University: Here are his ties to Northeast Ohio: WKYC
Judge Clifton Newman, the 1976 CSU Law School graduate who presided over the recent high-profile trial in South Carolina, will return to Cleveland State University later this month as a guest speaker.