Monday, February 6, 2012
The Verdict
Written by Mike Mayleben   
Saturday, 12 September 2009 21:15






THE VERDICT:


Just after Noon on Wednesday, April 1, 2009, jurors began deliberating.

3:00 p.m.  Jury asks to see the bathtub again.

11:30 p.m. After deliberating for more than 11 hours, the jury had still not reached a verdict.

Judge Bronson dismissed the jury just after 11:30 p.m. Wednesday night and told them to return Thursday morning.

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THURSDAY, April 2, 2009  9:50 a.m.

Jury continues to deliberate.  Still no verdict.

Friends and family of Ryan and Sarah are waiting in the courthouse lobby.



10:30 a.m. JURY CONTINUES TO DELIBERATE, Lunch Ordered

Around 10:30 a.m., word came from the jury room indicating that they needed assistance.
They requested to see the easel that Defense Attorney Charlie Rittgers wrote on during his closing arguments.

As of right now, the bailiff is ordering the jury lunch.


2:30 p.m. FAMILY AND FRIENDS STILL WAITING WHILE JURY DELIBERATES

After eating lunch from Seegers, a deli located in Lebanon, the jury continues to deliberate.

Meanwhile, Ryan Widmer is waiting in a car outside of the Warren County courthouse.
His mother Jill Widmer is right by his side.

Supporters, family and friends of Ryan are waiting patiently in the courthouse lobby.

Some look extremely exhausted because they were at the courthouse the night before until almost midnight.

There’s still no word on how long the jury will take to reach a verdict.

3:30 p.m.  Dinner Ordered For Jury

The jury is eating dinner from Frisch's Big Boy Restaurant.  They are in their 19th hour of deliberation, which started Wednesday around Noon.



6:59 p.m.  WIDMER, WAITING FOR VERDICT - Reported by Deb Silverman of WCPO-TV News


At the time of this posting jurors were on their 20th hour of deliberating the fate of a Hamilton Township Man accused of killing his wife in the bathtub of their home.

The jury deliberated 11 hours Wednesday and began deliberations at 9 a.m. Thursday.

Ryan Widmer has spent a majority of the deliberating hours at the courthouse waiting for a verdict.

He spent most of Thursday in the parking lot of the courthouse. That's where he's hanging out with friends in their cars.

It's unusual to see a suspect during deliberations because in most murder cases the suspect is not out on bond and they're kept in a holding cell. Widmer is free on bond.

Widmer's accused of killing his wife of four months, Sarah.
A friend of Ryan's mother said she never expected the jury to need this much time.

She said the longer it takes she becomes more, "worried and worried about the outcome."



7:20 p.m.  RAIN DRIVES FAMILY INSIDE - Reported by Adam Marshall of WCPO-TV News

Several more friends showed up around 7 p.m. to support Ryan Widmer as he stood outside in the parking lot, waiting for the jury of 12 to make a decision.

Inside the court room, a woman who says she watched Sarah grow up is also here. She is waiting anxiously and says she does not support one side over the other. She says she is in the court room to support Sarah and her family, but just hopes the truth comes out.

At 7:20 p.m. the entire Widmer family moved inside due to the pouring rain.

We'll update this blog when we know more.



7:30 p.m.  RYAN WIDMER WAITS - Reported by Adam Marshall

Ryan Widmer is now inside the courthouse with family and friends (thanks to the rain).  While most of his family and friends are sitting, Widmer is standing and drinking a tall cup of coffee.

He is speaking with three friends who are also standing with him.  While there is some small talk, it is relatively quiet considering around 30 people are within feet of each other. 

Ryan is saying very little.



8:00 p.m.   22 HOURS LATER, JURY STILL DELIBERATES - Reported by Adam Marshall

Now that it's 8 o'clock -- the jury has been deliberating more than 22 hours on the case verdict.

Ryan Widmer is now sitting down, waiting inside with family and friends.  He's being quiet and looks calm.

At this point no one knows when or if a decision will be made tonight.

We will update this blog as soon as we know more.



8:20 p.m.   JURY TAKES A BREAK - Reported by Adam Marshall

Just got word from defense attorneys that the jury is now taking a break. Don't know how long the break will be -- the break started at 8:15 p.m.



8:28 p.m.  JURY REACHES VERDICT - Reported by Adam Marshall

Just minutes after it was announced the jury was to take a break, another announcement followed.

The jury's verdict came just before 8:30 p.m.

Ryan Widmer has been found guilty of murder, but not aggravated murder.
Widmer could face 15 years to life in prison when he is sentenced.
The 12 member jury returned the verdict after more than 22  hours of deliberating in the murder trial.



9:26 p.m.   WIDMER SENTENCED - Reported by Adam Marshall

9News has confirmed that Ryan Widmer was sentenced on the same night the jury handed down a verdict. He will serve 15 years to life in prison, and will be eligible for parole in 15 years.