Friday, January 25, 2008

Denny Ross II will be different trial altogether

I'm not a betting man .. but if I were, I'd bet the farm that the sequel to Denny Ross's murder trial won't resemble the first one much at all -- at least from the prosecution side.

While attorneys have spent seven years seeking a new trial, I'm told investigators have been quite busy too .. gathering additional evidence and conducting new tests not available at the time. Additionally, a special prosecutor is now involved ... so different attorneys will be there to present the evidence this time around.

The original trial judge, Jane Bond, has since retired. So there will be a change on the bench as well.

So barring a reversal by the U.S. Supreme Court, Ross will again be tried in the 1999 rape and murder of Hannah Hill. The 18-year-old from Kenmore disappeared in May of that year; her body was found a week later in the trunk of her car. Police picked up Ross, the last person to see her alive, and a subsequent search of his apartment turned up some of her clothes and his semen on her underwear.

I was in Ellet that morning when her car was found. I remember chatting off to the side with a police supervisor. I asked him if Hannah was in the car, and he just caught his breath and then sighed. He didn't have to say another word. We waited several hours to report that info until police told us that Hannah's family had been notified.

Three-ring circus

Seventeen months later, Ross stood trial dressed more like a schoolboy than a suspect .. and with a million-dollar defense team pulling the strings, jurors voted to acquit him of the most serious charge -- murder -- and were debating a lesser charge when the circus was turned upside down.

A juror reported that another juror had information on a lie detector test involving Hannah's former boyfriend, and that was enough for Judge Jane Bond to order a mistrial. Even though jurors had already signed forms acquitting Ross, they were never read in open court and therefor weren't official. It was the most bizarre ending to a trial that most reporters in this town had ever seen.

Double jeopardy rules prevented a re-trial until now. Our office worked hand-in-hand with Dateline NBC on a one-hour special called "Who Killed Hannah Hill?" which has been rebroadcast on MSNBC multiple times.

Family hopeful

I spoke to Hannah Hill's father tonight by phone. He's a gentle man who was nice enough to grant me a few minutes, and while he declined an interview, he did tell me how pleased the family was for the re-trial. Akron Police made sure that he knew about Friday's court ruling.

I'll never forget the first time we met the Hills. It was the day Denny was arrested. They took part in the press conference with police, making a brief statement about leaning on God and friends and family .. and thanking police for bringing Ross to justice. They were so quiet and so devastated that day. I can't imagine how difficult that was for them to sit in front of the TV cameras that day.

Second Victim

I spoke to a source tonight who mentioned that what's often forgotten is the 'second' victim .. a woman Ross met at a bar .. whom he beat and raped later that night. He's now doing 25 years for that attack -- a crime that couldn't have occurred, the source said, had Ross not been walking the streets after the first trial.

Still, there's a long way to go until this case is back in a local courtroom .. but when it is, look for a new twist to this already twisted tragedy.

27 comments:

kkase8 said...

why do you feel it neccesary to post these stupid blogs about these stupid things. this happened so long ago. and nobody gives a flying fuck what you think. so how about go buy a journal and keep your thoughts to yourself.

Anonymous said...

TO kkase8
you are obviously reading this and commmenting therefore it is not over and has not been that long ago. people do care about these things. There are many people living with aftermath of Ross's actions and justice shall be served. Your ignorants shines with every word you speak. you go buy a beacon and keep your fucking mouth shut.

Anonymous said...

Dude, it's his blog and he should be able to write anything he wants.
Plus, I do care about this case, that's why I search and found this blog. That poor girl had her whole life in front of her. I wish Judge Jane Bond and that jerk both go to hell!

Anonymous said...

to mr.go buy yourself a beacon,
okay. well first, your IGNORANCE shines through when you write. so maybe you should enroll yourself into some night classes. second, i wrote that like 2 months ago. third, we don't have "beacons" where i come from and fourth, denny is my cousin, you asshole.

-kkase8

Anonymous said...

and it doesnt matter if it's his blog or not...
he posted this public blog,that anyone in the world can read,so apparently he wants to see some kind of controversy over it.and here i am giving it to him.
yes,i understand your feelings about him,but he is my cousin. imagine if he was yours. would you not be doing the same exaact thing im doing right now? i grew up with him around. and does anyone ever wanna post anything about the crazy ex-boyfriend that possibly framed denny? no. i live in america, and i have a freedom of speech just like him.

-kkase8

Unknown said...

kkase8- your a douchbag and i hope your cousin gets repeatedly fucked in the ass while he does 25+ and whatever else he's gonna get for killing hannah. Your a disgrace to society, KILL YOURSELF

Anonymous said...

Denny didn't do it.
David you are psyco you should seek help, you want death and rape (your words) maybe you did it! I know Denny, do you? David I hope you don't rape or kill anyone. I fear for the boys in your naborhood.

Anonymous said...

denny did it. i can look at his ugly, crooked eyed ass and tell. hes a serial rapist-killer and i hope he gets raped in prison daily until he dies and goes to hell himself. fuck denny

Anonymous said...

so you can tell he did it by looking at his eyes?
who are you?
a fucking misfortune teller?

Anonymous said...

How can you even justify this happened so long ago... Are you saying He did Not rape the second woman?? People are watching this all ovre TV and their hearts go out for this poor girl NO MATTER HOW LONG AGO IT WAS! wait till you have children, and one of them ends up in a car. Have sympathy for my cousin who will do it... YEA RIGHT. even if he was "framed" HE DID IT COINCIDENTALLY TO ANOTHER WOMAN. ok. Thank you for posting this... I want to continue praying for this girl and see what happens in the end no matter if its 50 years!

nomas

Anonymous said...

I knew Denny for a short time before this all broke out. He was a good-for-nothing loser. He cared about no one but himself. He was on a total party binge and Hannah paid the price. I hope he rots in prison.

Anonymous said...

We are coming up on the 11th anniversary of Hannah's brutal murder and I STILL give a flying f*ck! I have been following Hannah's case for many years and was relieved to hear that they will be trying Denny Ross again. Does anyone know the date of his new trial? I am VERY interested in putting together a memorial this year for Hannah to celebrate her life, mourn her death, and bring attention back to her case. She deserves justice and to rest in peace and her family deserves a little closure. Anyone else interested?

Anonymous said...

Many have followed this trial since day one. I know i haven't skipped a beat. Some justice was payed in the courtroom of the second woman. I was there and it was a great day for the woman as well as Hannah. Denny may be a cousin to some but that does not mean he is innocent. He is still a person and loved ny some; however so are all the muderers in prison. Cousins, sons, brothers, it doesn't matter. Kharma comes around whether it be 11 months or 11 years later, whoever killed Hannah WILL pay the price. Treat others how you want to be treated becasue it all comes back to you one day. RIP Hannah...

Anonymous said...

I would love to be a part of her tribute she was my best friend. Get a hold of me. Christineransweiler@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

kkase, you sound mad. do you think that its a conspiracy against denny? that all the blood, all the seamen is a frame job??? you must be retarded!! the people he has laughed about it to, saying she desirved it!!! this is the person your defending??? if he was my cousin i would tell no one!! this is brad, the craxy boyfriend, are you that ignorant to disregard the facts,, i passed a pollygragh, did he, ahhhh no!!! did i poke him and magicly collect his blood and place it in her jeans,AAHHHHH no. did i collect his seamen and put it in her panties, nope again! did i put his blood and skin under his nails,, guess what thats a new one, ahhhh no!so what do you have to say genius, how about this did i do the second girl that went threw everything that hannah di, but survived, and programed her to say denny did it, or placed all that evidence at her house, no i didnt. you know why bc im not a rapist, im not a murderer, and im not a serial rapist. my life has slowly moved on from your COUSINS actions, i only pray her family does the same, and the woman that lived threw your COUSINS selfishness!! so whos CRAZY REALLY? ME OR YOUR WONDERFUL COUSIN??

Anonymous said...

She was my best friend. If anyone is interested in her updates on the trial or celebrating her email me christineransweiler@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

Brad, u have nothing to justify. Stupidity runs in their gene pool! I was friends with Denny. I spoke w/him after her death & before her arrest. He BLATANTLY admitted that she'd been "dealt with"--summit county prosecutors seriously dropped the ball; because I, & several others, was/were NEVER called to speak before the jury. Justice WILL prevail this time!

Anonymous said...

thats my cousin and it does matter to me and its not forgotten to me or my family . and it was along time ago but its not over or forgotten by a long shot.

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resharpen said...

Well, am commenting after Dennys conviction in this case and sentencing, as I just watched tv show on this case. In first trial, I mostly blame the Judge. I am a lawyer, and if she knew so little about Double Jeopardy, she should have resigned. That issue is so important in trials. When she was initially faced with this issue, she should have announced that she'd make her decision the next morning and have her clerks research it. But then Denny, the Dog, would not have been convicted of murder.

kiwigirljacks said...

How embarrassing for you. Hahahahahagahahahaha.
Your rapist murdering cousin is going to find out what it's like getting raped now. Oh how I'd love to hear about it. By the way... Tell his father he's as bad as his son.

WHoever said...

Before calling the first judge incompetent or terrible just remember, he would likely be free as a bird today without that mistrial!! Thankful that Hannah's family got true justice. Cannot believe he raped another woman as well, the gall...

To Denny's cousin who thought people weren't interested in 2008... it's 10 years later and I'm reading this now, people will be interested in Hannah's murder forever because it was brutal and disgusting and your cousin did it - if not by himself then he took part in it - and deserves life in prison, hallelujah.

Anonymous said...

-kkase8, your cousin (Denny) is a cancerous polyp on the anus of humanity and needs to be lanced. If he was on life support I'd unplug it to charge my phone. He's taken one life and ruined many others.
I'm in the UK and only found out about this tragic case recently, and for some reason I've been unable to get it out of my head since.

You could tell Denny was a 1000% guilty just by looking at him. Brad was clearly devastated, Denny on the other hand couldn't give two fucks. I wasn't fortunate enough to know Hannah, or anyone else surrounding her, but it doesn't take a genius to work out the basics of what happened.

Denny was obviously trying to play Billy Big Bollocks and got rejected. A compliant person wouldn't need to be beaten. Use your head.

I hope Hannah can rest peacefully, and those affected by her passing can find some peace and comfort, wherever in the world they may be.

-Sway666

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