Ohio judge says she won’t step aside in Cleveland trial of man charged in 11 homicides
By APFriday, April 16, 2010
Ohio judge won’t step aside in serial murder trial
CLEVELAND — A judge in Cleveland says she won’t step aside from the trial of a man charged with killing 11 women and dumping their remains around his home, after his lawyers contended there is of an appearance of bias.
Cuyahoga (ky-uh-HOH’-guh) County Common Pleas Judge Shirley Strickland Saffold issued a brief written ruling Friday. She says she sees no reason to step aside as requested by lawyers representing 50-year-old Anthony Sowell (SOH’-wehl). They plan to take the issue to the Ohio Supreme Court.
The lawyers say there’s an appearance of bias in anonymous online criticisms of a defense attorney traced to the judge’s personal e-mail account. Saffold’s daughter says she posted the online comments.
Sowell has pleaded not guilty.
