JULY 3, 2025

Ohio Supreme Court: Your phone app location data is not protected by Fourth Amendment: Columbus Dispatch
The Ohio Supreme Court unanimously ruled on July 2 that location data voluntarily provided by smartphone app users is not protected by the Fourth Amendment.

Ohio appeals court orders Gov. DeWine to reclaim pandemic unemployment funds: Ohio Capital Journal
Ohio’s Tenth District Court of Appeals has upheld a lower court decision ordering Gov. Mike DeWine to pursue the unemployment compensation he turned down during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mother of maimed child in Savannah dog attack sentenced to 20-plus years: Ashland Source
The woman who handcuffed her child while a pit bull dog used him as a “chew toy” will spend up to 23 years in prison, an Ashland County judge ruled Monday. 

Jury finds 2 men charged with deaths of woman, unborn daughter guilty on all counts: Toledo Blade
A jury convicted on all charges Wednesday two men accused in a Toledo woman’s shooting death and the resulting death of her unborn daughter early last year.

Harrison Twp. man guilty on all charges in 2023 murder, shooting: Dayton Daily News
A Harrison Twp. man who was accused of murdering a man and shooting a woman several times has been found guilty on all charges.

Youngstown Law Department says John White ineligible to run for mayor: WKBN
The city Law Department last week advised the Mahoning County Board of Elections that independent mayoral candidate John White is not eligible to run for mayor.

JULY 2, 2025

Ohio Supreme Court indefinitely suspends Cincinnati lawyer's license for ignoring formal complaint: WCPO
The Ohio Supreme Court has indefinitely suspended a Cincinnati lawyer from practicing after a complaint filed against him in December went unanswered for months, according to documents in the case.

Lorain County Veterans Court holds 35th graduation ceremony: The Chronicle-Telegram
The Lorain County Veterans Treatment Court held its 35th commencement ceremony on Monday, graduating a U.S. Army veteran who ended up there after getting in trouble with the law.

Berea school officials tried, and failed, to hide settlement in football team hazing lawsuit: Cleveland.com
Berea school officials tried — and failed — to hide a $175,000 settlement over a hazing scandal involving the Berea-Midpark football team in which three players were sexually abused by teammates.

Kettering man gets more than 20 years for shooting, killing father: Dayton Daily News
A Kettering man will spend at least the next two decades in prison for the shooting death of his father last year.

Trial underway in 2024 Cleveland ‘warzone’ shootout that killed two men: Cleveland.com
A jury trial is underway for a Garfield Heights man accused of killing two people during a shootout in Cleveland’s Union-Miles Park neighborhood last summer.

Murder trial arising from pregnant woman's shooting death goes to jury: Toledo Blade
Evidence gathered for a shooting that killed a Toledo woman and her unborn daughter failed to place two men charged with the crime at the scene or where a matching gun was found four days later, defense lawyers argued Tuesday after trial testimony concluded.

Sheriff's lieutenant cleared of any wrongdoing in Lorain Co. Bar Association financial probe: The Chronicle-Telegram
A Lorain County Sheriff's Office supervisor is back on the job after spending six months on paid leave while the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation looked into alleged "financial irregularities" at the professional association where his wife and son formerly worked.

JULY 1, 2025

Fashioning an old-fashioned future, as Chief Justice Moyer would have had it: Elizabeth Emens: Cleveland.com
It has been 15 years since my stepfather, Chief Justice Thomas J. Moyer, passed away

Appeals court sides with Ohioans whose pandemic unemployment benefits were cut off: Cincinnati Enquirer
An appeals court ruled in favor of Ohioans seeking federal unemployment benefits that Gov. Mike DeWine cut off early during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sentence upheld for Trumbull County man convicted of aggravated robbery, rape: WFMJ
Ohio's 11th District Court of Appeals upheld the conviction of a man convicted of a 2002 aggravated robbery and rape case in Trumbull County.

Clerk of Courts’ eligibility to hold office challenged after criminal conviction: Dayton Daily News
As an appointed judge weighs whether Montgomery County Clerk of Courts Mike Foley can withdraw his plea of no contest on felony and misdemeanor charges, a local activist says Foley’s felony conviction earlier this month already disqualifies him from holding office.

Ex-Columbus cop Adam Coy, convicted of murder in November, denied new trial by judge: Columbus Dispatch
A judge in Franklin County ruled that a former Columbus police officer convicted of murder in a December 2020 shooting does not deserve a new trial.

Governor vetoes eminent domain ban inspired by Mill Creek MetroParks bike trail battle: WFMJ
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine on Monday vetoed a budget amendment partly inspired by the six-year-long battle to connect the Mill Creek Metroparks Bikeway and the Little Beaver Greenway.

Pilot of downed plane remembered as one of the ‘best’: WKBN
One of the people who died in a plane crash Sunday in Howland Township has been identified as Joseph Maxin.

Hotdog! Akron Municipal Court off-site wedding event to feature Oscar Mayer Weinermobile: Akron Beacon Journal
Akron Municipal Court will host another round of out-of-court weddings, this time featuring the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile.

Suspect sentenced to life in prison for killing 74-year-old victim in Strongsville park: Cleveland.com
A suspect who lured a 74-year-old man to a Strongsville park and killed him was sentenced Monday to life in prison.

'Three months per life snuffed out': Tusky Valley families voice frustration at sentencing: Columbus Dispatch
Riley Ramey was so excited about her band trip that she spent two hours the night before polishing her cymbals. She meticulously packed her bag with a new book, her favorite blanket, chapstick and her pillow.

Murder suspects' phones in 'close proximity' to key locations, FBI agent says: Toledo Blade
Cell phones belonging to two men charged in a woman’s shooting death early last year were close to each other before, during, and after that event and often near the location of a Chevrolet Blazer one of them operated, an FBI agent testified Monday morning.

Man accused of vandalizing downtown Dayton businesses found incompetent to stand trial: Dayton Daily News
Charges have been dismissed against a man who reportedly vandalized multiple downtown Dayton businesses, causing thousands of dollars of damage.

Columbus settles another lawsuit from 2020 protesters, bringing total payout to $6.5M: Columbus Dispatch
Columbus will pay $800,000 to four protesters, a legal observer and a street medic who alleged in a federal civil rights lawsuit that they were injured by Columbus police during the summer 2020 protests for racial justice and police reform after George Floyd Jr.'s murder in Minneapolis.

JUNE 30, 2025

Ohio Film Office seeks to dismiss lawsuit from Youngstown Regional Film Commission: WFMJ
The Ohio Film Office is trying to get a federal lawsuit from the Youngstown Regional Film Commission thrown out of court. The film office argues the claims made in the lawsuit don't have a legal basis and shouldn't be heard in federal court.

Man serving sentence for assaulting local deputy sentenced in Akron cold case murder: WKBN
A man who pleaded guilty to a 2016 unsolved murder and who is also serving a lengthy prison sentence for attacking a deputy with the Mahoning County Sheriff’s Office was sentenced to 24 years to life in prison.

Man sentenced to 18 months for 2023 Licking County crash that killed 6 people: WOSU
A truck driver was sentenced Monday to 18 months in jail for a November 2023 crash on Interstate 70 in Licking County that left six people dead.

Ex-transportation employee gets prison time for $400K theft: Associated Press
A former Ohio transportation employee accused of defrauding the agency of more than $400,000 was sentenced to prison.

Piqua man pleads to murder in child’s death: Dayton Daily News
A Piqua man accused of killing a one-year-old girl he allegedly slammed on the floor pleaded guilty Thursday in Miami County Common Pleas Court.

Murder trial enters second week, with jury having seen disputed evidence: Toledo Blade
A murder trial initially expected to last for a week instead will enter its second week Monday, with numerous bench conferences and extensive digital evidence lengthening its duration.

Bond continued for Girard youth coach accused of sex crimes: WFMJ
Bond was continued for a Girard youth softball coach indicted last week on multiple charges of rape, gross sexual imposition and illegal use of a minor in nudity-oriented material.

JUNE 27, 2025

Supreme Court ruling on public officials’ private emails sparks transparency concerns: Cleveland.com
A recent ruling from the Ohio Supreme Court suggests that when public officials use their private email accounts for communication, those messages may not be subject to Ohio’s Public Records laws.

Greene County assistant prosecutor will become Montgomery County judge: Dayton Daily News
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine appointed Michele Henne, of Oakwood, to the Montgomery Court of Common Pleas.

Court ruling blocks township fiscal officer following attempted $9.7M gold coin deal: Dayton Daily News
A judge has blocked Miami Twp.’s fiscal officer from making financial decisions or firing staff after he allegedly tried to misuse township funds to buy millions in gold coins.

Akron woman gets life in prison for rape of infant: Cleveland.com
A 39-year-old Akron woman was sentenced Thursday to life in prison with no chance of parole for the rape of an infant.

Woman sentenced 7-10.5 years in prison for 2023 crash that killed Meals on Wheels volunteer: WBNS
A Columbus woman was sentenced to 7 to 10.5 years in prison for her role in a crash that killed a woman who was volunteering for Meals on Wheels in 2023.

Dayton woman sentenced to 60 days in jail, probation for strangling 7-year-old: Dayton Daily News
A 33-year-old Dayton woman was ordered to spend 60 days in jail and multiple years on probation for reportedly strangling her 7-year-old daughter.

Prosecutor: Big Mac Bridge fire caused by 'one man who set the fire because he likes to set fires': WCPO
Following the sentencing of the fourth and final suspect accused of causing the fire that destroyed the 1000 Hands Playground and severely damaged the Big Mac Bridge, Hamilton County Prosecutor Connie Pillich has shed new light on what happened the night of the fire.

Man who represented himself in murder trial found guilty of all charges: Cincinnati Enquirer
A 23-year-old who acted as his own attorney during his trial and retrial has been found guilty of robbing and killing a man four years ago in a Westwood park.

Cleveland agrees to pay $7.9M in Isaiah Andrews’ wrongful imprisonment case: Cleveland.com
City officials have agreed to pay $7.9 million to settle a lawsuit filed by the estate of a man who served one of the longest prison sentences in history before he was exonerated.

Supreme Court limits nationwide injunctions, but leaves fate of birthright citizenship unclear: Associated Press
A divided Supreme Court ruled that individual judges lack the authority to grant nationwide injunctions, but the decision left unclear the fate of President Donald Trump’s restrictions on birthright citizenship.

JUNE 26, 2025

Murder or manslaughter? Ohio Supreme Court to decide in Cleveland firefighter death: Cleveland.com
The Ohio Supreme Court will decide the fate of a man involved in the hit-skip death of a Cleveland firefighter after an appellate court changed his conviction from murder to involuntary manslaughter.

APS settles last 'Scared Straight' suits. How much will district pay?: Akron Beacon Journal
In a unanimous vote on June 23, the Akron school board approved $669,700 in settlement funds in three lawsuits, ending eight years of legal battles stemming from a 2017 “Scared Straight” style program at Leggett CLC elementary school.

Spin-outs, black ice and other dangers target of new Delaware County teen driving program: Columbus Dispatch
One by one, the nervous teens assemble next to a parent in Judge David Hejmanowski's traffic court.

Ohio is still fighting ECOT founder for $160M but the case stalled for 14 months: Columbus Dispatch
The Electronic Classroom of Tomorrow, the largest online charter school in Ohio history, abruptly shut its virtual doors in January 2018 and state officials have been trying to recover more than $160 million from the school operators.

Documents: Man threatened magistrate with joker of spades, gunshot voicemails: Cincinnati Enquirer
A Batavia man has been indicted on charges for alleged threats directed at a Hamilton County magistrate, including leaving voicemails of apparent gunshots.

Ohio judge grants request to bar Thin Blue Line insurance from operating in state: Columbus Dispatch
A Franklin County judge granted a request from the Ohio Attorney General's office, temporarily barring an insurance company targeting first responders from collecting premiums, enrolling new members or acting as an insurance provider in the state.

Man convicted of raping Mahoning County Deputy pleads guilty to murder in Akron: WFMJ
An East Cleveland man already serving a lengthy sentence for the rape of a Mahoning County Jail corrections officer pleaded guilty mid-trial Wednesday to the 2016 cold case murder of Damon Harris Jr. outside an Akron barbershop.

Warren man sentenced for unlawful sexual conduct with a minor: WKBN
A Warren man received a 36-month prison sentence for having sexual relations with a 15-year-old girl, prosecutors said.

Ohio plans swift appeal as court declares private school voucher system unconstitutional: WBNS
Ohio signaled on Wednesday that it will swiftly appeal a court ruling declaring the state's private school voucher system unconstitutional, a decision celebrated by public school advocates and condemned by a prominent Christian education organization.

States can cut off Planned Parenthood’s Medicaid funds, Supreme Court says: Associated Press
A divided Supreme Court allowed states to cut off Medicaid money to Planned Parenthood in a ruling handed down Thursday amid a wider Republican-backed push to defund the country’s biggest abortion provider.

JUNE 25, 2025

Ohio Supreme Court declines to hear Sylvania school bus case: Toledo Blade
The Ohio Supreme Court has declined to hear a Sylvania family’s appeal of lower courts’ rejection of its claim that the Sylvania Board of Education’s hub-and-spoke bus service is unconstitutional.

Judge rules Ohio’s EdChoice private school voucher program unconstitutional: Cleveland.com
A Franklin County judge has ruled that Ohio’s EdChoice school voucher programs are unconstitutional, delivering a victory to public school advocates and setting the stage for a likely appeal on a case over education funding in the state.

'We're regular people': Hamilton County judges take questions from the public: Cincinnati Enquirer
On a recent Tuesday evening, nine Hamilton County Common Pleas Court judges appeared together at a community center in East Price Hill to answer residents’ questions.

Stow expungement clinic for Wednesday is postponed due to heat and AC repairs: Akron Beacon Journal
The Expungement and Record Sealing Clinic planned for June 25 at Stow Municipal Court has been postponed because of high temperatures and emergency air conditioning repairs at the courthouse, Community Legal Aid Services announced.

Ohio doctor who billed Medicaid for 10 times the equipment he bought sent to prison: Columbus Dispatch
A doctor who billed Medicaid for more than 10 times the medical equipment he never bought, totaling $1.5 million, is headed to prison.

Warren man facing up to nine years in prison on child pornography charges: WFMJ
A Warren man who pled guilty to over a dozen child pornography charges back in April has learned his fate.

Coroner, officers testify as men stand trial in deaths of woman, unborn child: Toledo Blade
Who pulled the trigger and how many guns were involved were among points in dispute Tuesday in a murder trial that continues in Lucas County Common Pleas Court.

JUNE 24, 2025

LifeWise seeks religious exemption from Ohio Supreme Court in dispute with ex-employee: Columbus Dispatch
LifeWise, which teaches the Bible to public school students, is claiming that it is exempt from a workplace retaliation investigation and potential lawsuit on the grounds that it is a religious denomination.

Future FirstEnergy CEO had ‘trust and confidence’ in now-fired executive: Toledo Blade
The highest-ranking former FirstEnergy Corp. executive to date testified Monday as regulators continue to delve into what went wrong in the utility’s corporate tower and within government’s own offices in the nuclear plant bailout scandal.

'I have a lot of energy." Longtime judge Gwin lends knowledge to Plakas Mannos law firm: Canton Repository
"What does Judge Gwin think?"

Ex-Cleveland attorney sentenced to 30 years for ‘sadistic’ assaults of 14-year-old: Cleveland.com
A 14-year-old girl who was repeatedly sexually assaulted by a former Cleveland attorney she met online pleaded with a federal judge on Monday to give her attacker a long prison sentence.

No bond for man deemed ‘danger to society’: WKBN
A man will be held without bond until a pretrial hearing in July after he was declared “a danger to society” in court on Monday.

Man charged in mass shooting that killed Beechcroft High grad gets $3 million bond: Columbus Dispatch
A judge in Franklin County set a $3 million bond for the suspect in a Columbus mass shooting that killed a recent high school graduate and injured six other teenagers.

Former Ohio State player charged in fatal Dublin crash posts bond: WBNS
A former Ohio State player charged in a crash that killed a man in Dublin over the weekend posted bond on Monday evening and is out of jail.

New law lifts license suspensions on more than 40,000 local drivers: Dayton Daily News
Thousands of Ohio drivers can legally get back on the roads following the recent implementation of an Ohio law that reverses license forfeitures for failure to pay court fines or fees.

JUNE 23, 2025

Cuyahoga County gun case could reshape Ohio firearms laws statewide: Cleveland.com
The Ohio Supreme Court is set to decide whether it will hear a Cuyahoga County case that could impact residents’ gun rights.

Ohio Supreme Court to weigh in on Duke Energy bills: WLWT
The Ohio Supreme Court will weigh in on a case seeking to throw out some charges on some Duke Energy natural gas bills in Greater Cincinnati.

How Ohio prison staff open and read confidential legal mail: Signal Cleveland
To appeal his conviction for burglary and related charges, James Bishop needed the legal papers a Jefferson County court clerk had mailed him in prison.

Franklin County judge removes herself from cases after prosecutors question mental state: Columbus Dispatch
A Franklin County judge has removed herself from three cases after two assistant prosecutors were caught on a recording questioning her mental health and ability to be impartial.

Zanesville man sentenced a year after crash that killed a Walhonding woman: Zanesville Time Recorder
A Zanesville man received the maximum sentence after causing a 2024 vehicle crash that resulted in the death of Kathrine Vickers of Walhonding.

Last of 3 Cincinnati men sentenced in Springboro break-in, high-speed chase: Dayton Daily News
The last of three Cincinnati men was sentenced for his role in a late January break-in and police pursuit with speeds reaching 110 mph in Springboro.

Who is mayor of East Cleveland? No ruling yet as court fight continues: Signal Cleveland
The day after a jury convicted Mayor Brandon King of theft in office, East Cleveland moved to cut off his paycheck. Sandra Morgan, who was appointed interim mayor during King’s suspension, told the finance director in an email to stop paying King.

Prosecutor: Man facing death penalty in deputy's killing did not give statement to police: Cincinnati Enquirer
The man facing the death penalty for killing a Hamilton County sheriff's deputy did not give a statement to investigators after he was arrested, prosecutors said.

Cleveland says Browns violated state law, lease in first courtroom showdown over planned move to Brook Park: Cleveland.com
Attorneys for the city of Cleveland on Friday accused the Browns of violating Ohio law and the terms of the team’s lease to play in the city the NFL franchise has called home for most of the last eight decades.

U.S. Supreme Court sides with Cleveland attorney’s argument in cases over post-prison supervision: Cleveland.com
The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday sided with three northern Ohio men who argued that a judge shouldn’t be allowed to consider their convictions when determining a punishment for violating the terms of their post-prison supervision.

JUNE 20, 2025

Ohio Supreme Court: Hamilton County clerk of courts overstepped his authority: Cincinnati Enquirer
Hamilton County’s clerk of courts can't defy an order from all 14 of the county’s municipal court judges and block online access to thousands of older eviction cases, the Ohio Supreme Court said.

Former Hunting Valley school trainer sentenced to prison for sexual misconduct with students: Cleveland.com
A former athletic trainer at University School’s Hunting Valley campus was sentenced to prison Wednesday after admitting he showed his genitals to students.

Former Liberty Schools employee sentenced in theft case: WKBN
A former Liberty Local Schools employee accused of stealing and disposing of a school computer received his sentence Wednesday in Girard Municipal Court.

Teen sentenced for killing 14-year-old friend in Youngstown: WFMJ
A teenage boy who was found guilty of killing his 14-year-old friend in November of 2023 has been sentenced.

Pataskala woman to serve more jail time for abusing dogs at Granville pet care facility: Columbus Dispatch
A Pataskala woman will serve additional time in jail after abusing four dogs at a pet care facility in Granville over two days in November.

Wrongfully convicted Ohioan is due $45 million but township says it can't afford it: Cincinnati Enquirer
Ohioan Dean Gillispie, who spent two decades in prison for crimes he did not commit, wants $45 million from the township and police department that sent him away – even though the township says it could be forced into bankruptcy.

Browns stadium fight heads to court: WOIO
Haslam Sports Group is hoping a Cuyahoga County judge will dismiss a civil lawsuit filed against them by the City of Cleveland today, that claims the Browns violated the Modell Law and are in breach of contract with the City.

JUNE 18, 2025

The Supreme Court of Ohio’s Juvenile Diversion Task Force releases new report: WOSU
The Supreme Court of Ohio’s Juvenile Diversion Task Force released a report earlier this month detailing their findings.

Ohio Supreme Court orders Hamilton County Clerk of Courts to put older eviction cases back online: WXIX
Hamilton County Clerk of Court Pavan Parikh must put thousands of eviction cases back online and rescind the illegal policy he created to do it, the Ohio Supreme Court ruled Wednesday.

Akron post office's new name honors late Judge James R. Williams, 'extraordinary' legacy: Akron Beacon Journal
It took an act of Congress to get the Akron post office at 675 Wolf Ledges Parkway named after the late Judge James R. Williams, but now that it's done it can't be undone, said U.S. Rep. Emilia Sykes, D-Akron.

2 Morrow County judges recuse themselves from presiding over case in fatal shooting of deputy: WBNS
Two Morrow County judges recused themselves Tuesday from presiding over the case of a man accused of shooting and killing a deputy last month.

Judge sets trial date in Aliza Sherman murder case: Cleveland.com
A Cuyahoga County judge on Tuesday set a trial date for the former attorney accused of killing Aliza Sherman outside his Cleveland law office in 2013.

Howland man found guilty of animal violations in connection with dog attack: WFMJ
A Howland man with a history of animal violations has been found guilty in connection with a dog attack in Warren back in May of 2025.

Man accused of raping woman in Kettering pleads guilty, to get 3 years in prison: Dayton Daily News
A man who was accused of raping a woman in a Kettering apartment building’s laundry room has entered an Alford plea of guilty to some of his charges.

Man found guilty of bludgeoning 2 to death in Dayton sentenced to at least 25 years: Dayton Daily News
A Dayton man will spend at least 25 years in prison after he reportedly beat a husband and wife to death with a sledgehammer last year.

Purdue Pharma to pay Ohio up to $198 million as part of nationwide opioid settlement: WBNS
Ohio will receive up to $198 million as part of a $7.4 billion settlement with opioid manufacturer Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family, who owns the company. 

Prosecutor says officer was 'legally justified' to shoot Ryan Hinton. Family plans lawsuit: Cincinnati Enquirer
Hamilton County Prosecutor Connie Pillich said the officer who shot Ryan Hinton after a stolen car investigation was "legally justified" to do so, declining to go to a grand jury.

Attorney for Ryan Hinton family: Civil suit will be filed 'soon' after prosecutor deems shooting justified: WCPO
The family of an 18-year-old shot and killed by a Cincinnati police officer in May will file a civil lawsuit, the family's attorney said in a press conference.