Widmer, 29, is accused of drowning his bride Sarah Widmer in the bathtub of their Hamilton Twp. home two years ago. The first jury in March 2009 found Widmer guilty. He spent 154 days behind bars before Judge Neal Bronson ordered a new trial after three jurors admitted misconduct.
A second jury heard the case in May and early June and after a 16 day trial told Bronson they were deadlocked. Bronson declared a mistrial and has penciled in three weeks for a third trial, beginning on Jan. 18.
After Bronson denied Widmer’s request for an acquittal, his parents Jill and Gary Widmer said they weren’t sure they could afford to retain Widmer’s lawyers. Jill Widmer said she “would sell some things” in order to continue to pay for her son’s defense. She put up her house in Mason to secure Widmer’s $400,000 bond.
Clark confirmed they are still on the case.
The “Free Ryan Widmer” group of supporters has two fund raising events scheduled for next month. A golf outing will tee off on Oct. 3 at the South Trace at Fairfield Greens in Cincinnati. A “Glo Bowl” event is set for Oct. 17 at Colerain Bowl. Widmer grew up in Colerain, but now lives, according to court order, with his mother in Mason.
Another new development is that Prosecutor Rachel Hutzel has subpoenaed Dayton Children’s Hospital, demanding contact information for Dr. Dwight Tuuri, a retired pediatric cardiologist. The hospital has until Friday, Sept. 24 to produce the information.
Chief Assistant Prosecutor Bruce McGary said due to the gag order placed on everyone associated with the trial, he could not divulge why they want to contact Tuuri.
However, the defense in their acquittal motion revealed that Sarah Widmer had a heart murmur as a child. The prosecutors have staunchly maintained Sarah Widmer was a perfectly healthy 24-year-old.
The defense argued she may have suffered either a cardiac or neurological episode that caused her to drown in the tub.
Contact this reporter at (513) 696-4525 or dcallahan@coxohio.com.
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