Ryan Widmer - Bathtub Murder Trial of Bride of 4 Months, Sarah Widmer

Hearing set for Widmer acquittal request

Updated 9:39 AM Thursday, March 10, 2011

LEBANON — The Warren County judge in the Ryan Widmer bathtub murder case has scheduled a hearing in two weeks to hear defense motions for acquittal and a new trial.

Judge Neal Bronson scheduled a hearing for March 23 to hear arguments on whether Widmer should be freed outright or deserves a fourth trial.

The defense asked Bronson on March 4 to free Widmer because they said the evidence in the case does not back a guilty verdict. The defense also filed a motion for a new trial last week, citing potential juror misconduct. Prosecutors have until March 18 to respond.

Read more:

http://www.middletownjournal.com/news/middletown-news/hearing-set-for-widmer-acquittal-request-1103318.html

Thanks for the update, Piper. Interesting article!

I thank you also for the update, Piper...I've got my fingers crossed and sending up prayers for a positive outcome...

No juror misconduct during Widmer trial, prosecutors say

12:01 PM Friday, March 18, 2011

~Snipped~
Prosecutors argued that any allegations of juror misconduct were inadmissible hearsay. Furthermore, the issue of juror misconduct had been broached during Widmer’s third trial and the court rejected this motion after a hearing held mid-trial, prosecutors said.

The prosecutors also pointed out that Widmer’s defense team did not request any jurors be excused during the trial.

In a separate filing, prosecutors rebuffed the defense’s motion that they had failed to prove their case of murder during the trial.

Bronson has scheduled a hearing for March 23 to hear arguments on whether Widmer should be freed outright or deserves a fourth trial.

http://www.middletownjournal.com/news/crime/no-juror-misconduct-during-widmer-trial-prosecutors-say-1111399.html?cxtype=ynews_rss

The hearing is set for Wednesday, March 23. I really don't see the judge granting a fourth trial, let alone freeing him. It's not going to happen, IMO.

Widmer attorneys want hearing delayed while they collect Internet content

Updated 9:56 AM Tuesday, March 22, 2011

LEBANON — Ryan Widmer’s attorneys have asked to delay a Wednesday hearing on their motions for acquittal or a new trial.

Jay Clark and Lindsey Gutierrez said in a motion for continuance filed Monday they have discovered new information via a social networking website that may further support their motion for new trial. They have issued subpoenas for account information to verify the source of the posts and say it could take several weeks to verify the information.

“Counsel is unable at this time to determine the legitimacy of the information received and must therefore subpoena account information from the appropriate social networking websites,” the continuance motion reads.

Read more:
http://www.middletownjournal.com/news/crime/widmer-attorneys-want-hearing-delayed-while-they-collect-internet-content-1114873.html

Defense Presents Arguments For Fourth Widmer Trial
Attorneys Say Jurors Acted Improperly During Case

POSTED: 7:24 pm EDT March 23, 2011

A judge heard arguments Wednesday in a defense request for a fourth trial for Ryan Widmer, who was convicted last month of murder in the drowning death of his wife.

Judge Neal Bronson did not rule on whether he would grant a new trial or an acquittal.

LiveWire Blog
Read: Motion, Affidavit

Defense attorneys claimed one juror engaged in at least four instances of misconduct by expressing her view during the trial that Widmer was guilty and by violating a judge's order by logging in to her Facebook account.

Widmer's attorneys claimed juror D.E. posted a video Feb. 4 on Facebook of a baby taking a bath, just one day after Bronson questioned her about allegations that she had discussed the case with a friend.

She denied the claims and was permitted to continue serving on the jury.

Margaret Dean, the sister of that friend, testified during the hearing that she could not recall whether her sister told her that D.E. had expressed the view that all the jurors knew Widmer was guilty and that he would burn in hell.

Defense attorney Jay Clark asked whether she remembered telling him that in a prior phone conversation, but Dean said she could not say for certain whether her sister had said that.

Dean admitted she and her sister had been smoking marijuana and drinking alcohol when they discussed D.E.'s service on the jury, so she cannot recall the specifics of the conversation.

Read more:
http://www.wlwt.com/news/27300741/detail.html

Dean admitted she and her sister had been smoking marijuana and drinking alcohol when they discussed D.E.'s service on the jury, so she cannot recall the specifics of the conversation.

I swear, people never cease to amaze me.

Prosecutors: Let Widmer verdict stand

2:22 PM, Mar. 23, 2011

LEBANON - Warren County prosecutors say Facebook postings and other documents filed by Ryan Widmer's lawyers do not meet legal requirements for evidence and they argue that Judge Neal Bronson cannot consider them in today's hearing on whether Widmer will get a new trial.

Further, prosecutors urged the judge: "Halt the ongoing efforts by the Defendant to harass jurors and their families and to threaten their friends. The jury reached a verdict and did so properly. The verdict should stand without further harassment!"

That was the latest volley fired in the battle over whether the Feb. 15 conviction of Widmer, 30, on a murder charge should stand.

Read more:
http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20110323/NEWS010702/103240311/

Judge denies Widmer motion for acquittal and new trial

Posted: Mar 25, 2011 3:14 PM EDT
Updated: Mar 25, 2011 5:04 PM EDT

LEBANON, OH (FOX19) - Ryan Widmer, a man convicted of murdering his wife in 2008, will not have a fourth trial.

The Warren County Common Pleas Judge Neal Bronson denied the motions for a new trial and an acquittal.

Read more:
http://www.fox19.com/Global/story.asp?S=14322827

Since this is a final decision I am praying that Ryan will be able to serve his 15 years, be released and start over...He will not be the same when he gets out but I think he will be more the wiser...

Yep, it's final alright. I felt the judge would rule this way. No one still really knows what happened in that bathroom, except for two people and one of them is deceased. I still don't think the prosecution proved beyond a reasonable doubt that Ryan was guilty of murder.

Estee wrote:Since this is a final decision I am praying that Ryan will be able to serve his 15 years, be released and start over...He will not be the same when he gets out but I think he will be more the wiser...

Me, too.

It's sad............

More than $100K spent in Widmer trials

Updated 8:19 AM Wednesday, April 6, 2011

LEBANON — Warren County has spent more $100,000 prosecuting Ryan Widmer three times for drowning his wife in the bathtub of their Hamilton Twp. home almost three years ago.

So far, the county has spent $41,139 for expert witnesses, travel and lodging expenses for mystery witness Jennifer Crew, among other costs in the third Widmer trial, According to the county Prosecutor’s Office.

The tally does not include the $11,000 Common Pleas Judge Neal Bronson approved for two defense experts, Dr. Chandler Phillips and Dr. Michael Balko. An order issued by Bronson last week, noted that Balko sent a bill for $8,614. However Bronson only approved $6,500, the original amount requested. Since Widmer was declared as being indigent, the county will be picking up the costs to prepare trial transcript for his appeal.

The first two trials cost taxpayers $51,924, the Prosecutor’s Office said. The first cost $22,214 and the second $29,710. These costs do not include time spent by staff who worked on the case.

Jill and Gary Widmer have spent more than $440,000 defending their son.

No appellate team has been named yet for Widmer, who wants his murder conviction overturned.

Read more:
http://www.oxfordpress.com/news/oxford-news/more-than-100k-spent-in-widmer-trials-1128106.html

Widmer case controversy may forge new court rules

Updated 12:28 AM Monday, April 11, 2011

The controversy over a juror’s use of Facebook during the Ryan Widmer murder trial could end up forging new case law or court rules, experts say, and it presents another example of courts struggling to keep up with technology.

http://www.daytondailynews.com/widmer-case-controversy-may-forge-new-court-rules-800893.html

Widmer, convicted of drowning wife, transfers to area prison

Updated 9:27 AM Friday, April 15, 2011

WARREN COUNTY — The man convicted of killing his wife, who drowned in the bathtub of their home, has been transferred from a prisoner intake center to the prison where he will stay.

Ryan Widmer, 30, was taken Thursday to the Warren Correctional Institution after spending two months at the Correctional Reception Center in Orient, said Joellen Smith with the Ohio Department of Corrections. He was convicted Feb. 15 in his third trial in the death of his wife, Edgewood graduate Sarah Widmer.

Smith said space issues at the prison kept Widmer detained in Orient. After his first conviction in 2009, he spent four months at the prison on Ohio 63 outside Lebanon. A new trial was ordered after juror misconduct was found.

A second trial in Spring of 2010 ended with a hung jury.

The third jury, after 12 hours of deliberations following a three-week trial, found Widmer guilty of murder. Warren County Common Pleas Judge Neal Bronson denied motions for acquittal or new trial last month.

Defense attorney Lindsey Gutierrez filed a notice of appeal two weeks ago, saying it should take a month for the transcript of the trial to be prepared by the court recorder, and the appellate team will need another two months to file its brief.

Read more:
http://www.middletownjournal.com/news/crime/widmer-convicted-of-drowning-wife-transfers-to-area-prison-1136918.html?cxtype=ynews_rss

Ryan Widmer interviewed today by 'Dateline'

10:57 AM, Apr. 20, 2011

When Ryan Widmer speaks with "Dateline NBC," it will be the first public interview he has granted since being accused, then convicted, of his wife's 2008 drowning.


TURTLECREEK TWP. - "Dateline NBC" is interviewing Ryan Widmer today - the first public interview he has granted since being accused, then convicted, of his wife's 2008 drowning in their Hamilton Township bathroom.

Ohio prison officials confirmed that Widmer, 30, of Mason, is talking to "Dateline" today.

He was recently moved from a central processing facility near Columbus to the Warren Correctional Institution here, where he will serve a sentence of 15 years to life for murder unless his appeal succeeds, he is retried and acquitted.

Read more:
http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20110420/NEWS010702/104210303/

They are saying the Dateline show may air in May.

Ryan Widmer will talk on 'Dateline' May 6

10:37 PM, Apr. 29, 2011

As a legal battle rages over preservation of evidence in the Ryan Widmer murder case, "Dateline NBC" confirmed the program will devote a full two hours to the case next week.

Read more:

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20110429/NEWS01/304290027/Ryan-Widmer-will-talk-on-Dateline-May-6?odyssey=tab%7Cmostpopular%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGE

Mother of Widmer's baby to be unveiled on TV show

Updated 11:05 AM Wednesday, May 4, 2011

LEBANON — For the first time, Ryan Widmer is expected to tell his side of the story about how his wife drowned in their bathtub almost three years ago.

The “Dateline NBC” program about the Widmer bathtub murder case will air at 9 p.m. Friday on WLWT Ch. 5 and WDTN Ch. 2 in Dayton.

The network returned to Warren County recently to interview Widmer at the Warren Correctional Institution. “Dateline” is the only media outlet Widmer has agreed to talk to.

A preview of the two-hour long program shows the report also will feature an interview with Widmer’s girlfriend and mother of his baby, who was born the summer after his second trial.

“Dateline” previously aired “The Mystery in the Master Bedroom” in 2009.


Read more:
http://www.middletownjournal.com/news/crime/mother-of-widmers-baby-to-be-unveiled-on-tv-show-1151643.html

I am very, very anxious to see this program.

'Dateline' tonight on Widmer case

5/6/2011



~Snipped~
A "Dateline'' crew interviewed Widmer at length in the Warren Correctional Institution. That interview was the first time Widmer has spoken at length about the case. Widmer has adamantly denied killing his wife.

"Dateline'' also interviewed Sarah Manherz, who became Widmer's girlfriend after watching a "Dateline'' episode on the case in 2009 and had a child with him.

The program, called “The Bathtub Mystery,” includes interviews with seven jurors.

"'Dateline'' airs locally at 9 p.m. on WLWT-TV (Channel 5).

http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20110506/NEWS010701/305060034/

There was rumor going around that Ryan had a child, it was kept very quiet and never really confirmed. Apparently, it is true!

Ryan Widmer: 'I'll never give up'

From prison, convicted wife killer works to prove his innocence

2:51 AM, Jun. 12, 2011

In a state prison near Lebanon, Ryan Widmer lies awake, in disbelief that anyone could think he is some sort of criminal mastermind.

"I mean, I'm a regular guy, but yet one night I grow into the perfect assassin? That's really what they're trying to make me out to be," Widmer said.

If he had killed his wife, Sarah, when she drowned in the couple's suburban bathroom in 2008, he would have pulled off a near-perfect crime, he said.

No evidence directly links him to her death. He suffered no wounds. If there was a struggle that night, there was no obvious sign of it.

"In my eyes, it's clear-cut that I'm innocent," he said.

Jurors disagreed.

Read more: http://communitypress.cincinnati.com/article/AB/20110611/NEWS010701/106120355/Ryan-Widmer-ll-never-give-up-

Detective in Widmer case to be questioned again about personnel file

5:05 PM Friday, July 15, 2011
CINCINNATI — Ryan Widmer’s defense attorneys couldn’t use former Hamilton Twp. Detective Jeff Braley’s false employment records against him, but attorneys in a civil lawsuit against him will.

A federal judge approved a second deposition of Braley by attorneys representing the Pritchard family during a hearing on Friday. The suit filed several years ago accuses Braley, former Police Chief Frank Richardson, Lt. Phil Johnson, former officer Roger Gilbert and his wife Gail of staging an improper raid on their home in 2007.

Widmer is serving 15 years to life in prison for drowning his wife Sarah in the bathtub of their home in August 2008. Braley was the lead detective on the case and Widmer’s attorneys tried twice to get his falsified employment records before jurors, to discredit him. The judge disallowed the revelations because Braley denied putting inflated employment and educational experience in his records.

Braley resigned last month after an outside investigator’s report showed the records in the employment file were false.

Konrad Kircher, the Pritchard’s attorney, said Judge Susan Dlott will allow him to question Braley again and also former police chief and current Trustee Gene Duvelius. He said the false employment records will bolster what he already considers a strong case.

“We’ve always been able to prove this raid was ill conceived and falsely manipulated and now we can give further background on that story,” Kircher said. “The brains behind the operation, Jeff Braley, was poorly qualified, had a history of manipulation, had a history of misleading his co-workers about his intentions and capabilities. It all came together that night with very bad consequences.”

Read more:
http://www.middletownjournal.com/news/crime/detective-in-widmer-case-to-be-questioned-again-about-personnel-file-1208048.html

This isn't the first I've read of former Detective Braley's staging and manipulating.

Too bad Florida couldn't have used the Ryan Widmer conviction jury for the Anthony case...IMO there was more convincing evidence to put Casey away than there was to convict Ryan...

Estee wrote:Too bad Florida couldn't have used the Ryan Widmer conviction jury for the Anthony case...IMO there was more convincing evidence to put Casey away than there was to convict Ryan...

That's my thought, too!~

I totally agree!

Appeal delayed in Ryan Widmer murder case

By Denise G. Callahan, Staff Writer Updated 6:04 PM Monday, August 29, 2011

LEBANON — Ryan Widmer’s appellate attorney and Warren County prosecutors agreed to delay filing the murder appeal for three months.

The appeal was due by Monday to the 12th District Court of Appeals based in Middletown.

Read more: http://www.journal-news.com/news/hamilton-news/appeal-delayed-in-ryan-widmer-murder-case-1241821.html

Ryan Widmer seeking fourth trial

6:17 PM, Oct. 12, 2011

Cincinnati.com - Cincinnati, OH

Ryan Widmer is trying for a fourth trial – and his lawyer has filed court documents accusing officials of perjury and a cover-up.

Widmer’s lawyer, Michele Berry, filed a motion today asking a Warren County judge to set aside Widmer’s February murder conviction in the 2008 bathtub drowning of his wife, Sarah.

Read more:

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20111012/NEWS010702/111012034/Ryan-Widmer-seeks-fourth-trial?odyssey=nav%7Chead
______________

Read the Motion (pdf):

http://news.cincinnati.com/assets/AB1804811012.PDF
Cincinnati.com 10-12-11 Motion:pdf

Motion For Post -Conviction Relief, A New Trial, Genetic DNA Testing, And An Evidentiary Hearing



Ryan Widmer

I hope he gets it!

I'm praying that he'll be successful...After all, what has he got to lose?...Without hope there is nothing...

I'm praying, too. How awful to be locked up when you are innocent.

Widmer four trial chance small

1:35 PM, Oct. 16, 2011

Written by Janice Morse
Cincinnati.com - Cincinnati, OH

Although he may be Widmer-weary after three trials, Judge Neal Bronson remains duty-bound to fully consider perjury allegations and other issues being raised to challenge Widmer's murder conviction in Warren County Common Pleas Court, legal experts say.

"I think Judge Bronson probably has a pretty strong case of 'Widmer fatigue,' but even so, he'll do the right thing," says defense lawyer Mike Allen, who has closely watched the saga since it began in 2008 with the drowning of Widmer's wife, Sarah, 24, in their Hamilton Township bathtub.

Read more:

http://communitypress.cincinnati.com/article/AB/20111016/NEWS01/110170303/Widmer-s-fourth-trial-chance-small?odyssey=nav%7Chead

I watched Dateline Friday night.

This Sunday, 1-22-12, the Ryan Widmer case will be featured on Dateline (NBC)
at 7 p.m. EST/6 p.m. CST.

My TV guide indicates it is a two hour program.

Thanks for the heads up, Ann~

Yes, its on from 6pm-8pm CST

Here's a preview of Sunday's Dateline:

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Source:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032600/vp/42937352#42937352
MSNBC - Dateline -- Ryan Widmer look into his future

The Drew Peterson movie is on Lifetime tonight @ 8pm EST. He is being played by Rob Lowe and I read Rob had to spend 6 hours every day in make-up to play this role.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Source:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032600/
MSNBC - Dateline 1-22-12

The Bathtub Mystery

I wonder about motive in this case! Married for what, four months? This doesn't make any sense. Even if Ryan was unhappy, which doesn't seem to be the case, he could have simply got the marriage annulled. On top of that, there is no physical evidence linking Ryan to the death of his wife. How in the hell could he have possibly been convicted in this case? Despite a wealth of evidence in the OJ Simpson trial, and much more motive in the Casey Anthony case, they were both acquitted. In Ryan's case, there is no evidence and he is found guilty?? It seems to me that there is a wealth of reasonable doubt to be found in this case.

Welcome to RC, arpdjp~

ITA with your assessment.~

Prosecution files objection in Widmer appeal

By Denise G. Callahan, Staff Writer 6:50 PM Wednesday, May 16, 2012

~Snipped~

On Tuesday, Fornshell’s office filed an objection to the excessive length of the second appeal filed in the Middletown court. The brief totalled 81 pages with the meat of the argument contained in 69 of those pages. The court usually limits appeals briefs to 20 pages.

Fornshell said the appeals court sets page limits for a reason.

“The idea behind appeals is that you concisely state the grounds for what you believe the trial court did incorrectly,” he said. “As opposed to throwing as much stuff at the wall as you possibly can and hope something sticks.”

Read more: http://www.middletownjournal.com/news/crime/prosecution-files-objection-in-widmer-appeal-1376791.html

Issues 'fully aired' to Widmer jury

Prosecutors oppose 2nd appeal in bathtub case

8:37 PM, Jun. 8, 2012
Written by Janice Morse

Jurors in the Ryan Widmer murder case were provided with all the information they needed to make a sound decision, prosecutors say, arguing that the lead detective’s alleged credibility problems were irrelevant.

Although Hamilton Township police Lt. Jeff Braley was the lead investigator, “(Widmer’s) guilt did not turn upon Lt. Braley’s testimony,” prosecutors wrote this week in their response to Widmer’s second appeal of his 2011 murder conviction. “In other words, Lt. Braley’s credibility was not material…(and) was not determinative of the Appellant’s guilt or innocence. Any issues material to the case were fully aired before the jury.”

Read more: http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20120608/NEWS0107/306080139/Issues-fully-aired-Widmer-jury

Justice4all wrote:Issues 'fully aired' to Widmer jury

Prosecutors oppose 2nd appeal in bathtub case

8:37 PM, Jun. 8, 2012
Written by Janice Morse

Jurors in the Ryan Widmer murder case were provided with all the information they needed to make a sound decision, prosecutors say, arguing that the lead detective’s alleged credibility problems were irrelevant.

Although Hamilton Township police Lt. Jeff Braley was the lead investigator, “(Widmer’s) guilt did not turn upon Lt. Braley’s testimony,” prosecutors wrote this week in their response to Widmer’s second appeal of his 2011 murder conviction. “In other words, Lt. Braley’s credibility was not material…(and) was not determinative of the Appellant’s guilt or innocence. Any issues material to the case were fully aired before the jury.”

Read more: http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20120608/NEWS0107/306080139/Issues-fully-aired-Widmer-jury

J4A, I'm going to post the photo that was included with this article:



Ryan Widmer is serving 15 years to life in prison after being convicted
of drowning his wife in their bathtub in 2008.
Enquirer file photo

Sherry wrote:Migraines, falling asleep, seeing spots, blurred vision. All of these symptoms I had suffered from the time I was 19 years old along with paralysis of my limbs, one at a time to my whole body, temporarily. Finally, a paralyzing episode scary enough happened to me to warrant the ER, not just making a doctor's appointment. For 25 years I was told it was hormonal imbalance and panic attacks. But they were not my problem; all along I was suffering minor strokes. I wonder if this was what Sarah suffered from. Many young people suffer these minor strokes and are misdiagnosed because of their age and health habits-many do not smoke and eat right.

I hope Ryan is acquited. I can't see how a jury had come to that decision in the first trial. AW made a good point as to why its not good that Ryan take the stand, but the previous jury said they wished they could have heard from him in that trial. I think Ryan would have handled it okay.

Just now reading about this case. I find your experience to be most helpful and thank you for sharing.

Piper wrote:Prosecutors Will Try Ryan Widmer For Third Time

Last Update: 10:54 am
August 6, 2010

A judge has denied a motion to acquit a Hamilton Township man accused of drowning his newlywed wife. That decision means that Ryan Widmer will go to trial for a third time in the death of his wife Sarah.

Judge Neal Bronson heard arguments in the case on Tuesday and just announced his decision by fax to the media Friday morning around 10 a.m.

Ryan Widmer is accused of drowning his wife, Sarah, in the couple's Hamilton Township home in 2008. A jury convicted Widmer in his first trial, but that conviction was thrown out due to juror misconduct. Jurors couldn't agree on a verdict in the second trial. The prosecution says they now have a new witness who will testify Widmer admitted to killing his wife.

The judge says he is compelled by law to view the evidence in the case in a light most favorable to the prosecution. He says based on that, he believes the prosecutor may have enough evidence to convict Widmer and he is compelled by law to give them a third chance. Judge Bronson also noted in his decision that he did not take into account the existence of a new witness, whom the prosecution claims will testify that Ryan Widmer bragged about Sarah's death. The judge also did not consider rumors that Sarah suffered from an undiagnosed heart condition that may have led to her death. He states that he only considered evidence introduced during the trial when making his decision.

Read more here:

http://www.local12.com/content/breaking_news/story/Prosecutors-Will-Try-Ryan-Widmer-For-Third-Time/U0xN6zefIEmoGSKscaoPuA.cspx

Three times he was tried!!! What hell he has been through.

I've read this entire Thread today from start to finish.
I confess to not seeing or hearing anything else about this
case other than what's been presented here.

The outcome has further eroded my confidence in the
Jury system. If there was ever a case of REASONABLE
Doubt this was it. I was stunned to see him found Guilty!
And the post-Trial statements of the Jurors echo the
Pinellas 12. Both FAILED to follow instructions,imo.
This may be a first for me as I almost give LE the
benefit of the doubt, but wow, the evidence just wasn't
there.