Crime

Stebenville Rape Case: Special judge to oversee grand jury probe into possible new charges

By Crimesider Staff

March 21, 2013 / 5:16 PM EDT / CBS News

Trent Mays (left) and Ma'lik Richmond before the start of their rape trial in juvenile court on March 13, 2013 in Steubenville, Ohio. Both were convicted. Pool, AP Photo/Keith Srakocic

(CBS/AP) COLUMBUS, Ohio - The chief justice of the Ohio Supreme Court has appointed a special judge to oversee the work of a grand jury investigating possible new charges related to the rape of a 16-year-old girl in Steubenville last summer.

Two high school football players were convicted Sunday of raping the girl after an alcohol-fueled party in August.

Thursday's appointment follows a request by Jefferson County judge Joseph Bruzzese Jr. for an outside judge because of ongoing local controversy over an alleged cover-up of the initial rape report.

Bruzzese says "nameless bloggers" who made unproven allegations of a cover-up have a strong following that makes appointing a judge from outside Steubenville necessary.

Chief Justice Maureen O'Connor responded by appointing retired Summit County Judge Patricia Ann Cosgrove to handle the grand jury, which meets in April.

Complete coverage of the Steubenville Rape Case on Crimesider