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Seven jurors from bathtub killer trial subpoenaed

Ryan Widmer is led out of the courtroom after being found guilty of murdering his wife, at the conclusion of his trial on April 2. He was found not guilty of aggravated murder.

Samantha Grier/Staff photographer Ryan Widmer is led out of the courtroom after being found guilty of murdering his wife, at the conclusion of his trial on April 2. He was found not guilty of aggravated murder.

ENLARGE PHOTO

Samantha Grier/Staff photographer Ryan Widmer is led out of the court room after his trial April 2.

ENLARGE PHOTO

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By Denise G. Callahan, Staff Writer Updated 5:08 PM Friday, April 17, 2009

Jurors in a Warren County bathtub murder case spent nine days in court to make a decision on it, and now seven will spend one more explaining why they made theirs.

Ryan Widmer, 28, was found guilty earlier this month of drowning his 24-year-old wife Sarah in a bathtub in their Hamilton Twp. home. He was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison and is now housed at the Warren Correctional Institution.

Defense attorney Charlie Rittgers has subpoenaed seven of the case’s jurors to court for a hearing next week. Late last week, he filed motions with Warren County Common Pleas Judge Neal Bronson saying Widmer should get a new trial or an acquittal because there was juror misconduct during the 22-hour deliberations in his murder trial.

On Thursday, April 16, Rittgers subpoenaed the juror who came forward and revealed several jurors in the bathtub murder trial did some investigating on their own and talked about it during deliberations.

Juror Jon Campbell was ordered to appear at a hearing next Friday, April 24, when Bronson will hear arguments over whether or not Widmer deserves the new trial or an outright acquittal.

Campbell signed a sworn affidavit saying he felt a “moral duty” to relay information about alleged juror misconduct. Bronson instructed jurors not to do any investigating on their own, but Campbell said three members of the jury conducted experiments at home, to see how long it takes to dry off after someone is in a tub or shower.

Six other jurors were subpoenaed Friday, April 17. They include Debora Ann Sanzone, of Maineville; Lisa A. Richardson, of Mason; Michelle L. Odegard, of Oregonia; Sherry Hill of Franklin; Angie Michelle Roberts, of Franklin and Stephanie Sackman of Springboro.

First responders testified during the nine-day trial that the Widmer bathroom and Sarah Widmer’s body were dry when they arrived.

Warren County Prosecutor Rachel Hutzel said Widmer received a fair trial.

“Judge Bronson is a very experienced judge and he controlled that courtroom as a judge is supposed to. He determined what evidence would be allowed in and what evidence would not be allowed in,” she said. “I believe strongly we have a very clean trial record and that the trial was handled fairly .”

Thaddeus Hoffmeister, a law professor at the University of Dayton who specializes in studying juror misconduct, said if it is confirmed that three jurors conducted experiments at home, Widmer should at least get a new trial.

“The supplemental motion is really the proverbial smoking gun for the defense to get a new trial,” he said. “That’s huge — the juror coming forward. I would rest on the fact the jury was experimenting. You’re just not going to get three different jurors experimenting on something that, in my opinion, is the subject of the case.”

Widmer was transported Thursday to the Warren Correctional Institution located on Ohio 63 in Warren County, according to the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction.

ODRC spokeswoman Joellen Culp said the Warren facility is classified as a Level 3 on a scale of five in terms of security levels. She said Widmer was placed at that facility because he is considered a “close security” inmate.

An inmate’s placement at the reception center is determined by the crime they have been convicted of, their age, programming needs and other criteria.

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I guess it is time for the courts to call in
the Ghost's Buster's, if Ryan did not kill
Sarah, WHO DID?

common sense
9:11 AM, 4/23/2009

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I have never believed that he was guilty! I do know that our court system has become a twisted mass of flesh and money, that there is no justice, only some people looking to make some money and, for others, revenge.

Michael
11:38 AM, 4/18/2009

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Married just 4 months and he killed her ??? What was relationship like before they married ??? How long they date ?? And how did they come to be couple ???

Roxanne
1:40 AM, 4/18/2009

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New trail is warrented. Why would he do this, what's the motive?

Lisa
9:54 PM, 4/17/2009

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The jury should be brought up on charges for wasting tax payers money. I think contempt of court to star with.

concerned
9:22 PM, 4/17/2009

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