ANDREW ISAAC GRIFFIN

ST. CLAIRSVILLE — A lawyer representing double homicide suspect Andrew Isaac Griffin on Friday indicated there are plans to file an affidavit of indigency on his behalf.

Lawyer Kate Clark of the Columbus-based Samuel H. Shamansky law firm declared that intent in Belmont County Common Pleas Court during a pretrial hearing. The filing would indicate that Griffin does not have the funds to hire the necessary expert witnesses for his case.

Griffin is accused of double homicide in the deaths of Thomas and Angela Strussion in their Trails End Drive home near Belmont in September 2021. He was arrested in Hawaii by Belmont County Sheriff’s Department detectives in February. Following his arrest, he was transported to the Belmont County Jail, where he has been held since.

During the hearing, Common Pleas Judge Chris Berhalter agreed to release funds to pay for the witnesses’ appearances to avoid delaying the trial.

The state of Ohio indicated it understands the request, but requested if the affidavit of indigency is filed that the state be given a copy of the filing. The state asked for the copy of Griffin’s filing so it can determine whether any assets exist that Griffin can use to repay Belmont County.

The state then indicated that it will be filing a motion to advance any notice of alibi from Griffin. The state asked that Clark file that notice 30 days prior to trial.

The state pointed out at the hearing that this is unlike any other local case due to all of its witnesses being in Oklahoma. The state believes it would be incredibly difficult to prosecute the case if it didn’t get Griffin’s alibi information, if the information exists.

The state and the defense agreed for the notice to be given 30 days prior to trial. It is believed that Berhalter will rule as to when any notice of alibi needs to be filed during Griffin’s next pretrial hearing, scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Oct. 24 in Belmont County Common Pleas Court.

Berhalter then asked the state if it had provided all pertinent information to the defense. He previously gave the state a deadline of Sept. 30 to do so, but the state has already provided Griffin’s lawyers with all of the information.