OH - Corinne Gump, 10yo rape victim dies in fire just before trial, 30 March 2015

[JanetElaine]

http://wkbn.com/2016/02/03/seman-complains-of-unfair-treatment-in-jail-at-trial-hearing/

[h=1]Seman complains of unfair treatment in jail at trial hearing[/h]

“I’m kinda just, kinda at the end of my rope, so I brought them my complaints that I can. They don’t even answer or respond to a complaint anymore,” Seman told the judge.

Mahoning County Sheriff Jerry Greene called the accusations “100 percent false.”

“He has been treated like any other inmate within our facility, and if he doesn’t like it, that’s tough,” Green said.

:boohoo:

 

[JanetElaine]

http://wkbn.com/2016/04/13/seman-asks-judge-to-spare-him-from-death-penalty/

[h=1]Seman asks judge to spare him from death penalty[/h]

At a pretrial hearing Wednesday morning in Mahoning County Court, defense lawyers asked Judge Maureen Sweeney to remove the death penalty as a potential sentence if Seman is convicted, calling it “unconstitutional”.

Seman faces capital murder charges in the deaths of 10-year-old Corrine Gump and her grandparents, Bill and Judy Schmidt, one year ago.

 

[JanetElaine]

http://wkbn.com/2016/04/15/judge-says-death-penalty-option-stays-in-seman-case/

Judge says death penalty option stays in Seman case

Mahoning County Judge Maureen Sweeney said Robert Seman’s request to remove the death penalty specification from his murder trial was “meritless.”

 

[JanetElaine]

http://www.wfmj.com/story/32198404/...-jurors-opposing-death-penalty-in-seman-trial

Prosecutors are allowed to dismiss jurors opposing the death penalty in Seman trial.

 

[JanetElaine]

http://www.vindy.com/news/2016/aug/24/seman-lawyers-seek-bar-rape-case-details-trial/?nw

Seman lawyers seek to bar rape case details from trial

Defense attorneys argued that details of a rape case against one of the victims Seman is accused of killing, Corinne Gump, 10, be barred from testimony because it would prejudice jurors against her client.

 

[JanetElaine]

Also, from July: http://wkbn.com/2016/07/27/lawyers-to-begin-selecting-jurors-in-robert-seman-murder-trial/

[h=1]Lawyers to begin selecting jurors in Robert Seman murder trial[/h]

[FONT=&quot]Lawyers say a list of about 400 prospective jurors have been selected to begin the process of choosing a panel to hear the case. The prospective jurors will be whittled down over the next few weeks to around 150 people who will be sent jury questionnaires.[/FONT]

 

[rosie_lee]

http://fox8.com/2016/09/10/trial-starting-over-arson-that-killed-girl-grandparents/

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio — An Ohio judge has refused to delay the trial of a man accused of setting a fire that killed a 10-year-old and her grandparents on the day he was to go to trial on allegations that he sexually assaulted the girl.

Jurors went through orientation Friday in the murder and arson trial of Robert Seman Jr. and jury selection is expected to continue Monday.

More at link...

 

[JanetElaine]

Thanks for posting the update Rosie-lee! There have been several but I'm in the middle of a move and haven't had too much time. I realize all too well that defense attorneys will try anything, but I never get used to it and always still get mad at the nerve of this guy.... ugh.

#JusticeForCorinne

 

[GeeEm]

September 10, 2016

Trial starting over arson that killed girl, grandparents

An Ohio judge has refused to delay the trial of a man accused of setting a fire that killed a 10-year-old and her grandparents on the day he was to go to trial on allegations that he sexually assaulted the girl.

<SNIP>

A coroner said 10-year-old Corinne Gump and her grandparents, William and Judith Schmidt, died of smoke inhalation.

Prosectors say they will seek the death penalty if the 47-year-old Seman is convicted.


http://www.foxnews.com/us/2016/09/10/trial-starting-over-arson-that-killed-girl-grandparents.html

 

[GeeEm]

September 10, 2016
12:05

Jurors report for orientation in Seman case


Jurors reported Friday in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court for orientation in the capital murder case of Robert Seman.

His attorneys, meanwhile, filed a notice that Seman claims he was at his home when the fire that killed three people was set.

Seman, 47, of Green, could face the death penalty if convicted of the murders of Corinne Gump, 10, and her grandparents, William and Judith Schmidt, during an arson March 30, 2015, in their Powers Way home.

That was the same day Seman was to go on trial for raping the girl. He was free on bond at the time.

More than 150 jurors reported to the courtroom of Judge Maureen Sweeney, who is trying the case. They received instructions on what they can expect and what they can and cannot do during the jury selection process, which is expected to continue Monday.

Judge Sweeney also ruled against several defense motions late Thursday, including motions to continue the trial and to exclude specific evidence from the rape case in the murder trial.

<SNIP>

If jurors find Seman is eligible for the death penalty a second phase of the trial, or mitigation phase, will take place at which defense attorneys will present evidence to jurors showing them why they must spare Seman’s life.


http://www.vindy.com/news/2016/sep/10/jurors-report-for-orientation-in-seman-m/?mobile

 

[rosie_lee]

http://www.wfmj.com/story/33085794/jury-selection-begins-in-robert-seman-triple-murder-trial

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -
Jury selection began today in the death penalty case of Robert Seman.

This comes just one day after Mahoning County Common Pleas Court Judge Maureen Sweeney issued a ruling that a change of venue in the case was premature.

Potential jurors were questioned one by one to determine if they can be fair and impartial if seated in the triple murder case.
[...]
Jury selection will resume next Monday and Tuesday, and at that point if a jury has not been seated the judge could reconsider the motion by the defense for a change of venue

 

[rosie_lee]

http://www.wfmj.com/story/33111231/seman-defense-attorney-asks-for-mistrial

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -
Robert Seman's defense attorney is asking a judge to declare a mistrial and move the trial out of Mahoning County.
According to the court docket, the motion filed Thursday by Attorney Thomas Zena asks Judge Maureen Sweeney to disqualify the pool of potential jurors, declare a mistrial, discharge the jury and change the venue of the trial.
Since the motion has been filed under seal, the basis for the requested mistrial has not been disclosed.

More at link...

 

[0101ABA]

http://www.sfgate.com/news/crime/article/Mistrial-gets-new-jury-for-man-charged-in-fire-9238494.php

Robert Seman Jr.'s murder and arson trial began with jury selection earlier this month in Youngstown. Prosecutors sought a mistrial ruling, arguing that a potential juror prematurely concluded Seman is guilty and wrongly discussed details of the case with other jurors.

A judge granted the mistrial this week. A date hasn't been set for the new trial.

 

[rosie_lee]

http://www.vindy.com/news/2016/oct/05/judge-selects-new-date-robert-seman-murder-trial/?mobile

YOUNGSTOWN — Jury orientation for a new trial for Robert Seman will be Feb. 3.

Judge Maureen Sweeney of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court selected the new trial date today after a brief hearing.

Seman can face the death penalty if convicted of the March 30, 2015, deaths of Corinne Gump, 10, and her grandparents, William and Judith Schmidt, during an arson at their Powers Way home just hours before Seman was to go on trial on a charge he raped the girl. Seman was free on bond at the time of the fire.

More at link...

 

[JusticeWillBeServed]

Lawyers in Youngstown triple-murder case argue over evidence, venue

http://wkbn.com/2017/01/25/lawyers-in-youngstown-triple-murder-case-argue-over-evidence-venue/

Prosecutors say Seman had repeatedly raped the young girl and set the fire to keep her from testifying against him.

However, defense lawyers argue jurors should not be told any of the specifics about the assaults or that Seman was also charged with trying to bribe his ex-wife to get her to change her testimony against him.

Seman’s lawyers believe details of his other case will taint the jury.

“We believe it would be unfairly prejudiced by introducing those other acts as evidence. He hasn’t been indicted in this offense with that,” Attorney Lynn Maro said. “[The bribery charge] has not been proven beyond a reasonable doubt. It is a weak case and, we believe, unfairly prejudicial.”

Prosecutors claim both the rape and bribery provide evidence of motive against Seman — that he was trying to keep others from testifying about his crimes.

http://www.vindy.com/news/2017/jan/26/pretrial-hearing-heard-in-seman-case/?mobile

Judge Maureen Sweeney said she wants to wait before deciding if the death penalty trial of Robert Seman should be moved from Mahoning County Common Pleas Court.

The judge said in a pretrial hearing Wednesday that she wants to review the questionnaires prospective jurors will fill out when they report Feb. 3 for duty in the case before making any decision.

Defense attorneys have asked for a change of venue.

180 jurors excused in Youngstown triple-murder case

 

[Doghairrules]

This case is a freaking mess, and if it is what it looks like, well, I'm sure you all know what I'm thinking. :behindbar

Here's the summary, I'll post all the relevant links at the bottom (and if you're wondering why a 10 year old girl's name and picture is in the media - her family requested it. They wanted people to know the girl she was. I hope I can find the link for that, too).

The boyfriend of the girl's mother, Robert Seman, is accused of raping and sexually assaulting the 10 year old over the course of several years. His trial was supposed to start Monday, March 30th. However, earlier that morning the girl, who lived with her (deaf) grandparents, died together with the grandparents of smoke inhalation in a fire that gutted their house.

Seman did show up in court that day but the trial was delayed due to the death of the victim. Wednesday LE discovered Seman had burns on his body that he had concealed with makeup when he was in court Monday. They searched his house Thursday evening in what sources call a search directly related to the fire.

Seman’s lawyer claimed in court Monday that Seman had been under electronic house arrest for months. Authorities said Tuesday that they are checking with the company that monitors suspects in the program to verify that.
Guess where the girl's mom was found.... at the Seman's residence. :maddening: The two have a younger daughter together also. The grandparents (maternal) recently got custody of the 10 year old girl.

The links are pretty much in chronological order.


http://wkbn.com/2014/03/17/man-arrested-on-child-rape-warrant/

http://wkbn.com/2014/03/20/grand-jury-indicts-man-on-child-rape/

http://interactives.wkbn.com/photomojo/gallery/18614 (pictures of house fire)

http://wkbn.com/2015/03/30/friends-family-devastated-by-loss-of-youngstown-fire-victims/

http://wkbn.com/2015/03/30/3-dead-in-youngstown-fire/ (police interview mom of victim, includes links to 911 calls)

http://wkbn.com/2015/03/30/deaf-community-mourns-loss-of-youngstown-couple/

http://wkbn.com/2015/03/30/south-range-providing-counselors-after-students-death-in-fire/

http://wkbn.com/2015/03/31/family-dynamic-part-of-youngstown-fire-victims-rape-case/

http://wkbn.com/2015/03/31/terms-of-rape-suspects-trial-up-in-the-air/

http://wkbn.com/2015/03/31/memorial-placed-at-site-of-deadly-youngstown-fire/

http://wkbn.com/2015/04/02/agents-search-green-township-home-of-rape-suspect/

Edited to make sure all the links work.

This is just heartbreaking. And infuriating.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Hatfield]

This is just heartbreaking. And infuriating.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I agree. I cant believe these fools will continue to get in deeper and deeper and now murder.

If he would have just accepted responsibility he would have had a chance to get out in X number of years. Now he will never get out and he destroyed peoples lives in the process.

He needs put away in a hole somewhere and forgotton.

And as far as the mother. She deserves some time in prison too for aiding and abetting IMO. She cannot claim she didnt know about this guy doing bad things because it happened over many years the sex abuse on the daughter. She had to have known IMO and just didnt care about her child. So sad.

 

[JusticeWillBeServed]

Man accused of Youngstown triple-murder in court for final pretrial

http://wkbn.com/2017/02/01/man-accused-of-youngstown-triple-murder-in-court-for-final-pretrial/

The process of seating a jury to hear the murder case against Robert Seman is set to get underway later this week.

A new pool of roughly 160 jurors will come to the courthouse Friday and fill out questionnaires before being called back individually Feb. 7 to answer questions about what they may know about the case.

The trial is expected to last 8 weeks.

 

[JusticeWillBeServed]

Jury process to start for second time in Seman case

http://www.vindy.com/news/2017/feb/03/mahoning-county-second-try-at-selecting-/?mobile

About 160 potential jurors are expected today to report to Mahoning County Common Pleas Court for the second attempt at picking a jury in the Robert Seman capital murder case.

Jurors will report about 1:30 p.m., take their oaths, then fill out paperwork. After they are done, individual questioning of jurors is expected to begin next week.

Jury selection was just starting in the case in September when it was halted after one of the members of the jury pool made disparaging remarks about Seman to other jurors. Defense attorneys asked for a mistrial, which Judge Maureen Sweeney granted.

To avoid a repeat of that this time, Judge Sweeney has instituted a number of measures, starting with bringing in jurors on a Friday afternoon, which is typically the slowest day of the week, allowing for more deputies who work security at the courthouse to be available.

The jury-selection process is expected to take several weeks.

 

[JanetElaine]

http://www.wfmj.com/story/34454738/judge-grants-change-of-venue-in-robert-seman-case

[h=3]Judge grants change of venue in Robert Seman case[/h]

The judge assigned to preside over the Robert Seman murder trial has granted a change of venue after talking to potential jurors Wednesday morning.
This comes just one day after Judge Maureen Sweeney denied a motion to declare a mistrial.

Much more at link.