Prosecution files response in request for new Widmer trial

Prosecutors in the Ryan Widmer murder trial are refuting claims that jurors conducted experiments and filed motions today, July 6, in opposition of the convicted murderer receiving a new trial.

Widmer was convicted in April in the drowning death of his wife, Sarah Widmer. His attorney, Charlie Rittgers, has repeatedly argued that jurors acted inappropriately by conducting drying “experiments” that influenced their decisions.

Warren County Prosecutor Rachel Hutzel said in the latest motion that the “jurors’ actions were harmless” and that the jurors have been harassed.

Hutzel’s motion opposing a new trial says, “Jurors may properly engage in such discussions (of life experiences) in order to come to an agreement as to guilt or innocence.”

The affidavits of two jury members back up Hutzel’s argument that their discussion about the process of air-drying did not affect their decision-making in finding Widmer guilty or murder.

Jury foreman Michael Arnold and juror Debra Sanzone said they were surprised that juror Jon Campbell would say in an affidavit filed by Rittgers that he was influenced by the discussion because he was “completely set on a guilty verdict” from the beginning of the deliberation process, according to Arnold.

Rittgers said Campbell’s initial vote is irrelevant because jurors often change their votes during the course of deliberations, but in Campbell’s case the experiments actually solidified his initial vote of guilty.

Arnold also said the fact that Sarah Widmer’s body was found to be dry was a “minor sub-point... that supported the key conclusion that the 911 call was orchestrated.”

Rittgers said he is confused by what he calls the prosecution’s attempt to downplay the importance of the dryness issue because the majority of their presentation during the trial was based on the fact that Sarah Widmer was found to be dry when medical personnel arrived at their Hamilton Twp. home.

Hutzel said the jury unanimously agreed that the 911 call Widmer made was staged and that Sarah Widmer had been “violently attacked.”

Sanzone said she never used the word “experiments” and that she “specifically told (Rittgers’ investigator Brenda Beyersdoerfer) that what I did was not an experiment.”

Sanzone added that she told, Beyersdoerfer – who she believed worked for the judge – that the conversation about air-drying was insignificant, but Beyersdoerfer “did not want to hear those explanations.”

Once she realized who Beyersdoerfer worked for, Sanzone said she ended the conversation.

Judge Neal Bronson denied the defense’s request for an acquittal, but said he would consider sworn juror statements from the defense and prosecution as he ponders whether Widmer deserves a new trial.

Rittgers said he now has an opportunity to file a response, and regardless of whether he does, Bronson will be asked to make a ruling after this round of motions. Bronson has not set a date for his decision.

Widmer is serving 15 years to life in the Warren Correctional Institution near Lebanon

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