Accused Ashland serial killer’s case headed for trial on April 9

ASHLAND – Ashland County Common Pleas judge Ron Forsthoefel said the Shawn Grate case is “ramping up for trial” — which is slated for April 9.

In what was expected to be the final pretrial in the case against the suspected serial killer, the defense and prosecution met with the judge via Skype video-conference Monday. Grate watched silently from the Ashland County Jail. 

Grate, 41, is charged with four counts of aggravated murder in connection with the deaths of Stacey Stanley and Elizabeth Griffith.  If convicted, Grate could receive the death penalty. 

Authorities found the bodies of both women Sept. 13, 2016 in a house on Covert Court in Ashland after a third woman called 911 to report she had been abducted. 

Grate is also charged with four counts of kidnapping, two counts of gross abuse of a corpse, four counts of burglary, tampering with evidence, four counts of rape, aggravated robbery, unauthorized use of a vehicle and tampering with evidence. 

Authorities said Grate admitted to murdering five women and kidnapping a sixth, but only two of the alleged murders are part of this case. The other cases are not within Ashland County’s jurisdiction. 

On the same day Grate was arrested and the bodies were found in Ashland, Grate reportedly told authorities he had murdered a woman in a house at 1027 Park Avenue East in Madison Township in Richland County. This information led authorities to find the remains of another female, who was later identified as Candice Cunningham.

In the Ashland case, Grate pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity and is being held at the Ashland County Jail. 

Grate’s case is set for trial April 9, and the court has already held the first of two jury excuse hearings to prepare for trial. 

Defense attorneys Robert and Rolf Whitney said in Monday’s pretrial they expect jury questioning will take at least a half hour per juror. Forsthoefel said he will plan to go through about 12 jurors per day to seat a jury for the trial.

Forsthoefel said he is extending the deadline to March 1 for both sides to provide witness lists to the court and to opposing counsel. Reports from any expert witnesses are due by March 19, and copies of all exhibits are to be submitted to the court by April 9. 

No one except the defendant’s legal counsel and representatives of the prosecutor’s office will be allowed to bring a cell phone into the courtroom during the trial, Forsthoefel said. A pool camera will be set up, and media outlets will only be allowed to use video from the pool camera feed. 

Firearms will also be prohibited in the courtroom, with the exception of court security. Even law enforcement witnesses will not be permitted to carry firearms, Forsthoefel said.