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Prosecutors
seek extension on Rittenhouse murder case
The Greene County prosecutor’s office has asked
for an extension of the deadline to seek an indictment against Michael
Rittenhouse, who has been charged with aggravated murder in the death
of Timothy Lopez.
On Monday, Suzanne Schmidt, the first assistant
prosecutor, requested the additional time, which by Tuesday had not yet
been approved by a Greene County Common Pleas Court judge. However, Schmidt
said that she expects approval because Rittenhouse’s attorneys and
Rittenhouse have agreed to the extension.
If approved, the deadline for a grand jury hearing
for Rittenhouse would be extended to June 16 from April 20.
The prosecution is seeking the extension because
forensic tests on some pieces of evidence have not yet returned from the
Miami Valley Crime Laboratory, according to Schmidt, who declined to identify
which evidence remains untested. Schmidt said the delay has been caused
by the large number of cases the crime lab handles.
On Feb. 20 Rittenhouse was arraigned in the Xenia
Municipal Court and charged with aggravated murder, aggravated robbery,
gross abuse of a corpse and tampering with evidence. Earlier that day the
remains of Lopez, who had been missing for two years, were found in the
backyard of the Allen Street home Rittenhouse shares with his mother and
brother. Rittenhouse and Lopez were classmates at Yellow Springs High School.
According to Schmidt, the investigation into the
case continues.
“This is an extremely serious case,”
she said. “We’re not ruling anything in or out. We’re
looking at all leads that come in.”
Prosecutors have not ruled out that others may have
been involved in the crime, said Schmidt, who encouraged anyone with information
to contact the Greene County prosecutor’s office at 937-562-5250.
The Rittenhouse case is “unique” in
the way the prosecution and the defense are working cooperatively, Jon Paul
Rion, one of Rittenhouse’s attorneys, said on Tuesday.
“Everyone is looking at both sides. It’s
the way the system should be,” said Rion, who noted that most often
in a court case of this kind, “the sides take positions and the battle
starts.”
The agreement on the grand jury extension is an
example of that cooperation, Rion said. “Both sides felt it would
be wise and prudent to hold off” until the investigation is completed,”
he said.
Rittenhouse also agreed to the extension, and will
remain in jail without bond, Schmidt said. The prosecutors are seeking the
death penalty in the case, since they believe the alleged murder took place
during an aggravated robbery, which is a “death-penalty qualifying
case,” Schmidt said.
Rittenhouse has been “very cooperative, very
forthcoming and helpful,” Rion said. “He understands how the
process works and is anxiously but patiently awaiting” the next steps,
the attorney said.
—Diane Chiddister |
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