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Saturday, May 25, 2013 | 7:33 p.m.

Updated: 5:05 p.m. Thursday, March 21, 2013 | Posted: 3:34 p.m. Thursday, March 21, 2013

Special judge to handle Jefferson Co. grand jury rape investigation

Steubenville teen rape trial
Steubenville teen rape trial

By NEWS9 and The Associated Press

JEFFERSON COUNTY, Ohio —

 
The chief justice of the Ohio Supreme Court has appointed a special judge to oversee the work of a grand jury investigating possible new charges related to the rape of a 16-year-old girl last summer in Jefferson County.

Thursday's appointment follows a request by Jefferson County judge Joseph Bruzzese for an outside judge because of ongoing local controversy about an alleged cover-up of the initial rape report.


PREVIOUS NEWS9 COVERAGE:  Local judge asks Ohio Supreme Court to appoint visiting judge for Steubenville rape case grand jury



Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine officially announced his request for a grand jury on Sunday, within minutes of the verdict that found Trent Mays and Ma'lik Richmond delinquent in the August rape of a teen girl.

Bruzzese said "nameless bloggers" who made unproven allegations of a cover-up have a strong following that makes appointing a judge from outside Steubenville necessary.

Chief Justice Maureen O'Connor responded by appointing retired Summit County Judge Patricia Ann Cosgrove to handle the grand jury, which meets in April.


WEB EXTRA: Judge Joseph Bruzzese Jr.'s letter to the Supreme Court of Ohio (March 14, 2013)


 

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