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Special grand jury will meet again today

STEUBENVILLE – The special grand jury was set to meet again today to review evidence allegedly related to the August 2012 rape of a Weirton girl by two Steubenville High School students.

The 14-member panel met Monday until shortly before 4 p.m. before adjourning.

A spokesman for Ohio Attorney Mike DeWine said the grand jury, “is expected to meet multiple days.” this week.

The grand jury has been meeting since April to investigate whether any adults knew of the rape last year but failed to report it as required by Ohio law.

So far the grand jury has issued indictments against William Rhinaman, the former director of technology for the Steubenville City School district, and his daughter, Hannah Rhinaman, who worked for the school district for approximately one month last year.

William Rhinaman was arrested on Oct. 7 and later entered a not guilty plea to charges including tampering with evidence, obstructing justice, obstructing official business and perjury.

Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine called the secret indictment naming Rhinaman “the first indictment issued by the special grand jury reviewing whether additional crimes were committed regarding the Steubenville teen rape case.”

Hannah Rhinaman was indicted by the special grand jury on Oct. 23 on two counts of receiving stolen property and one count of theft related to incidents that allegedly happened during the two months she worked as a contract employee for the Steubenville City School District.

“She took property from the school district and sold it,” said DeWine during a telephone interview last month.

Hannah Rhinaman also entered a not guilty plea during her arraignment.

DeWine said the indictment against Hannah Rhinaman was not related to the charges against her father.

Both Rhinamans are scheduled for a Dec. 9 pre-trial hearing before Summit County retired Judge Patricia Ann Cosgrove.

Cosgrove was appointed by the Ohio Supreme Court to oversee the special grand jury investigating the Steubenville rape case.

William Rhinaman retired from the city school district effective Nov. 1.

The grand jury has worked off and on since April 30.

(Gossett can be contacted at dgossett@heraldstaronline.com.)

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