Veteran Common Pleas Judge Richard D. Reinbold Jr. was assigned the case Monday by Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Thomas Moyer. A new judge was needed after Moyer agreed this month with a defense request to remove Summit County Judge Jane Bond from the case. Reinbold inherits a controversial, media-scrutinized case with several key motions pending. Most notable is a defense request to have three jury-verdict forms from Ross' October trial declared valid. The verdict forms, which acquitted Ross of aggravated murder, murder and rape, were signed by all 12 jurors before Bond declared a mistrial based on jury misconduct.
Defense lawyers claim case law supports their position to have the verdicts validated.
Bond was removed from the case when defense lawyers argued that she might be called as a witness during hearings concerning her declaration of a mistrial and her post-trial conversations with jurors. Reinbold has not yet scheduled any pretrial hearings. He will be considered a visiting judge and hear the case in Summit County. Prosecutors contend Ross killed Hill in his Canton Road apartment and left her body in the trunk of her car, which was found days later in Ellet. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.