The prosecutor of Belmont County released last week the text of the Grand Jury indictments that were handed down by the February Session of the Spring Term over the weekend.
Prosecutor Kevin Flangan confirmed two counts of Aggravated Murder were included in the indictments, but he added that several other charges were included, as well.
Belmont County Sheriff James Zusack staged a press conference last Monday that revealed that Griffin was arrested in a joint operation with Detectives from Belmont County Sheriff’s Office and the Hawaii Police Department in Hilo, Hawaii. Currently, Mr. Griffin is incarcerated in Hawaii, with procedures taking place to extradite Griffin to Belmont County, Ohio.
“Ohio law has various code sections all under Aggravated Murder, but in the simplest form, the defendant was charged with two counts of aggravated murder regarding Thomas and Angela Strussion,” Flanagan explained. “There are two separate charges, one for each case, and there are several sections and subsections in the state code. In these cases, you had not only purposely causing death of another with prior calculations and design, but there are also other charges within the confines of those charges.
“What I mean by that is, for instance, is a specification that talks about the course of conduct,” the prosecutor said. “A course of conduct is committing two or more homicides out of the same course of conduct. So, that is one of the specifications. The other has been well documented that there was an arson at the property at the time of the homicides. And so that’s listed as a specification and a separate offense to also make it aggravated murder.”
The members of the Belmont County Grand Jury also handed down indictments for Aggravated Arson and Aggravated Burglary with a firearm specification.
“We believe a burglary took place because you can have an aggravated murder during the commission of a burglary,” Flangan said. “I want to point out that burglary does not necessarily mean a theft offense. It is human nature to equate burglary with theft, but that is not what the Ohio Revised Code states that you have to do. So, anytime you forcefully enter into the residence of somebody else in order to commit any crime whatsoever, then that could be considered a burglary, as well.
“It is well known after it’s been reported that we believe an arson took place, too,” he said. “So, there is a charge for Aggravated Arson, as well.”
______
| INDICTMENT Crim. Rule 6, 7 STATE OF OHIO COURT OF COMMON PLEAS COUNTY OF BELMONT Of the FEBRUARY SESSION/SPRING TERM in the year two thousand twenty five The JURORS OF THE GRAND JURY of the State of Ohio, within and for the body of the County aforesaid, on their oaths, in the name and by the authority of the State of Ohio, do find and present that on or about the 20th day of September, 2021 through the 21st day of September, 2021 at Belmont County, Ohio, ANDREW ISAAC GRIFFIN COUNT I: did purposely, and with prior calculation and design, cause the death of Angela Jo Strussion. All in violation of Ohio Revised Code Section §2903.01(A), 2929.02(A) U-F. Course of Conduct Specification – §2929.04(A)(5) The Grand Jurors further find and specify that: the offense at bar was part of a course of conduct involving the purposeful killing of or attempt to kill two or more persons, to wit: Angela Jo Strussion and Thomas Steed Strussion by the offender. Felony Murder Specification – §2929.04(A)(7) The Grand Jurors further find and specify that: the offense at bar was committed while the offender was committing, attempting to commit, or fleeing immediately after committing or attempting to commit aggravated arson, and either the offender was the principal offender in the commission of the aggravated murder or, if not the principal offender, committed the aggravated murder with prior calculation and design. Felony Murder Specification – §2929.04(A)(7) The Grand Jurors further find and specify that: the offense at bar was committed while the offender was committing, attempting to commit, or fleeing immediately after committing or attempting to commit aggravated burglary, and either the offender was the principal offender in the commission of the aggravated murder or, if not the principal offender, committed the aggravated murder with prior calculation and design. Firearm Specification – 3 year – §2941.145(A) The Grand Jurors further find and specify that: Andrew Isaac Griffin had a firearm on or about his person or under his control while committing the offense and displayed the firearm, brandished the firearm, indicated that he possessed the firearm, or used it to facilitate the offense. COUNT II: did purposely, and with prior calculation and design, cause the death of Thomas Steed Strussion. All in violation of Ohio Revised Code Section §2903.01(A), 2929.02(A) U-F. Course of Conduct Specification – §2929.04(A)(5) The Grand Jurors further find and specify that: the offense at bar was part of a course of conduct involving the purposeful killing of or attempt to kill two or more persons, to wit: Thomas Steed Strussion and Angela Jo Strussion by the offender. Felony Murder Specification – §2929.04(A)(7) The Grand Jurors further find and specify that: the offense at bar was committed while the offender was committing, attempting to commit, or fleeing immediately after committing or attempting to commit aggravated arson, and either the offender was the principal offender in the commission of the aggravated murder or, if not the principal offender, committed the aggravated murder with prior calculation and design. Felony Murder Specification – §2929.04(A)(7) The Grand Jurors further find and specify that: the offense at bar was committed while the offender was committing, attempting to commit, or fleeing immediately after committing or attempting to commit aggravated burglary, and either the offender was the principal offender in the commission of the aggravated murder or, if not the principal offender, committed the aggravated murder with prior calculation and design. Firearm Specification – 3 year – §2941.145(A) The Grand Jurors further find and specify that: Andrew Isaac Griffin had a firearm on or about his person or under his control while committing the offense and displayed the firearm, brandished the firearm, indicated that he possessed the firearm, or used it to facilitate the offense. COUNT III: did purposely cause the death of, Angela Jo Strussion while committing, or attempting to commit, or while fleeing immediately after committing or attempting to commit the offense of Aggravated Arson. All in violation of Ohio Revised Code Section §2903.01(B), 2929.02(A) U-F. Course of Conduct Specification – §2929.04(A)(5) The Grand Jurors further find and specify that: the offense at bar was part of a course of conduct involving the purposeful killing of or attempt to kill two or more persons, to wit: Angela Jo Strussion and Thomas Steed Strussion by the offender. Firearm Specification – 3 year – §2941.145(A) The Grand Jurors further find and specify that: Andrew Isaac Griffin had a firearm on or about his person or under his control while committing the offense and displayed the firearm, brandished the firearm, indicated that he possessed the firearm, or used it to facilitate the offense. Felony Murder Specification – §2929.04(A)(7) The Grand Jurors further find and specify that: the offense at bar was committed while the offender was committing, attempting to commit, or fleeing immediately after committing or attempting to commit aggravated arson, and either the offender was the principal offender in the commission of the aggravated murder or, if not the principal offender, committed the aggravated murder with prior calculation and design. Felony Murder Specification – §2929.04(A)(7) The Grand Jurors further find and specify that: the offense at bar was committed while the offender was committing, attempting to commit, or fleeing immediately after committing or attempting to commit aggravated burglary, and either the offender was the principal offender in the commission of the aggravated murder or, if not the principal offender, committed the aggravated murder with prior calculation and design. COUNT IV: did purposely cause the death of, Thomas Steed Strussion while committing, or attempting to commit, or while fleeing immediately after committing or attempting to commit the offense of Aggravated Arson. All in violation of Ohio Revised Code Section §2903.01(B), 2929.02(A) U-F. Course of Conduct Specification – §2929.04(A)(5) The Grand Jurors further find and specify that: the offense at bar was part of a course of conduct involving the purposeful killing of or attempt to kill two or more persons, to wit: Thomas Steed Strussion and Angela Jo Strussion by the offender. Firearm Specification – 3 year – §2941.145(A) The Grand Jurors further find and specify that: Andrew Isaac Griffin had a firearm on or about his person or under his control while committing the offense and displayed the firearm, brandished the firearm, indicated that he possessed the firearm, or used it to facilitate the offense. Felony Murder Specification – §2929.04(A)(7) The Grand Jurors further find and specify that: the offense at bar was committed while the offender was committing, attempting to commit, or fleeing immediately after committing or attempting to commit aggravated arson, and either the offender was the principal offender in the commission of the aggravated murder or, if not the principal offender, committed the aggravated murder with prior calculation and design. Felony Murder Specification – §2929.04(A)(7) The Grand Jurors further find and specify that: the offense at bar was committed while the offender was committing, attempting to commit, or fleeing immediately after committing or attempting to commit aggravated burglary, and either the offender was the principal offender in the commission of the aggravated murder or, if not the principal offender, committed the aggravated murder with prior calculation and design. COUNT V: did purposely cause the death of, Angela Jo Strussion while committing, or attempting to commit, or while fleeing immediately after committing or attempting to commit the offense of Aggravated Burglary. All in violation of Ohio Revised Code Section §2903.01(B), 2929.02(A) U-F. Course of Conduct Specification – §2929.04(A)(5) The Grand Jurors further find and specify that: the offense at bar was part of a course of conduct involving the purposeful killing of or attempt to kill two or more persons, to wit: Angela Jo Strussion and Thomas Steed Strussion by the offender. Firearm Specification – 3 year – §2941.145(A) The Grand Jurors further find and specify that: Andrew Isaac Griffin had a firearm on or about his person or under his control while committing the offense and displayed the firearm, brandished the firearm, indicated that he possessed the firearm, or used it to facilitate the offense. Felony Murder Specification – §2929.04(A)(7) The Grand Jurors further find and specify that: the offense at bar was committed while the offender was committing, attempting to commit, or fleeing immediately after committing or attempting to commit aggravated burglary, and either the offender was the principal offender in the commission of the aggravated murder or, if not the principal offender, committed the aggravated murder with prior calculation and design. Felony Murder Specification – §2929.04(A)(7) The Grand Jurors further find and specify that: the offense at bar was committed while the offender was committing, attempting to commit, or fleeing immediately after committing or attempting to commit aggravated arson, and either the offender was the principal offender in the commission of the aggravated murder or, if not the principal offender, committed the aggravated murder with prior calculation and design. COUNT VI: did purposely cause the death of, Thomas Steed Strussion while committing, or attempting to commit, or while fleeing immediately after committing or attempting to commit the offense of Aggravated Burglary. All in violation of Ohio Revised Code Section §2903.01(B), 2929.02(A) U-F. Course of Conduct Specification – §2929.04(A)(5) The Grand Jurors further find and specify that: the offense at bar was part of a course of conduct involving the purposeful killing of or attempt to kill two or more persons, to wit: Thomas Steed Strussion and Angela Jo Strussion by the offender. Firearm Specification – 3 year – §2941.145(A) The Grand Jurors further find and specify that: Andrew Isaac Griffin had a firearm on or about his person or under his control while committing the offense and displayed the firearm, brandished the firearm, indicated that he possessed the firearm, or used it to facilitate the offense. Felony Murder Specification – §2929.04(A)(7) The Grand Jurors further find and specify that: the offense at bar was committed while the offender was committing, attempting to commit, or fleeing immediately after committing or attempting to commit aggravated burglary, and either the offender was the principal offender in the commission of the aggravated murder or, if not the principal offender, committed the aggravated murder with prior calculation and design. Felony Murder Specification – §2929.04(A)(7) The Grand Jurors further find and specify that: the offense at bar was committed while the offender was committing, attempting to commit, or fleeing immediately after committing or attempting to commit aggravated arson, and either the offender was the principal offender in the commission of the aggravated murder or, if not the principal offender, committed the aggravated murder with prior calculation and design. COUNT VII: did purposely cause the death of, Angela Jo Strussion while committing, or attempting to commit, or while fleeing immediately after committing or attempting to commit the offense of trespass in a habitation when a person is present or likely to be present. All in violation of Ohio Revised Code Section §2903.01(B), 2929.02(A) U-F. Course of Conduct Specification – §2929.04(A)(5) The Grand Jurors further find and specify that: the offense at bar was part of a course of conduct involving the purposeful killing of or attempt to kill two or more persons, to wit: Angela Jo Strussion and Thomas Steed Strussion by the offender. Firearm Specification – 3 year – §2941.145(A) The Grand Jurors further find and specify that: Andrew Isaac Griffin had a firearm on or about his person or under his control while committing the offense and displayed the firearm, brandished the firearm, indicated that he possessed the firearm, or used it to facilitate the offense. COUNT VIII: did purposely cause the death of, Thomas Steed Strussion while committing, or attempting to commit, or while fleeing immediately after committing or attempting to commit the offense of trespass in a habitation when a person is present to likely to be present. All in violation of Ohio Revised Code Section §2903.01(B), 2929.02(A) U-F. Course of Conduct Specification – §2929.04(A)(5) The Grand Jurors further find and specify that: the offense at bar was part of a course of conduct involving the purposeful killing of or attempt to kill two or more persons, to wit: Thomas Steed Strussion and Angela Jo Strussion by the offender. Firearm Specification – 3 year – §2941.145(A) The Grand Jurors further find and specify that: Andrew Isaac Griffin had a firearm on or about his person or under his control while committing the offense and displayed the firearm, brandished the firearm, indicated that he possessed the firearm, or used it to facilitate the offense. COUNT IX: did purposely cause the death of, Angela Jo Strussion while committing, or attempting to commit, or while fleeing immediately after committing or attempting to commit the offense of Burglary. All in violation of Ohio Revised Code Section §2903.01(B), 2929.02(A) U-F. Course of Conduct Specification – §2929.04(A)(5) The Grand Jurors further find and specify that: the offense at bar was part of a course of conduct involving the purposeful killing of or attempt to kill two or more persons, to wit: Angela Jo Strussion and Angela Jo Strussion by the offender. Firearm Specification – 3 year – §2941.145(A) The Grand Jurors further find and specify that: Andrew Isaac Griffin had a firearm on or about his person or under his control while committing the offense and displayed the firearm, brandished the firearm, indicated that he possessed the firearm, or used it to facilitate the offense. COUNT X: did purposely cause the death of, Thomas Steed Strussion while committing, or attempting to commit, or while fleeing immediately after committing or attempting to commit the offense of burglary. All in violation of Ohio Revised Code Section §2903.01(B), 2929.02(A) U-F. Course of Conduct Specification – §2929.04(A)(5) The Grand Jurors further find and specify that: the offense at bar was part of a course of conduct involving the purposeful killing of or attempt to kill two or more persons, to wit: Thomas Steed Strussion and Thomas Steed Strussion by the offender. Firearm Specification – 3 year – §2941.145(A) The Grand Jurors further find and specify that: Andrew Isaac Griffin had a firearm on or about his person or under his control while committing the offense and displayed the firearm, brandished the firearm, indicated that he possessed the firearm, or used it to facilitate the offense. COUNT XI: did purposely cause the death of, Angela Jo Strussion while committing, or attempting to commit, or while fleeing immediately after committing or attempting to commit the offense of arson. All in violation of Ohio Revised Code Section §2903.01(B), 2929.02(A) U-F. Course of Conduct Specification – §2929.04(A)(5) The Grand Jurors further find and specify that: the offense at bar was part of a course of conduct involving the purposeful killing of or attempt to kill two or more persons, to wit: Angela Jo Strussion and Angela Jo Strussion by the offender. Firearm Specification – 3 year – §2941.145(A) The Grand Jurors further find and specify that: Andrew Isaac Griffin had a firearm on or about his person or under his control while committing the offense and displayed the firearm, brandished the firearm, indicated that he possessed the firearm, or used it to facilitate the offense. COUNT XII: did purposely cause the death of, Thomas Steed Strussion while committing, or attempting to commit, or while fleeing immediately after committing or attempting to commit the offense of arson. All in violation of Ohio Revised Code Section §2903.01(B), 2929.02(A) U-F. Course of Conduct Specification – §2929.04(A)(5) The Grand Jurors further find and specify that: the offense at bar was part of a course of conduct involving the purposeful killing of or attempt to kill two or more persons, to wit: Thomas Steed Strussion and Thomas Steed Strussion by the offender. Firearm Specification – 3 year – §2941.145(A) The Grand Jurors further find and specify that: Andrew Isaac Griffin had a firearm on or about his person or under his control while committing the offense and displayed the firearm, brandished the firearm, indicated that he possessed the firearm, or used it to facilitate the offense. COUNT XIII: did by means of fire or explosion knowingly cause physical harm to any occupied structure, to wit: 67140 Trails End Drive, Belmont, Ohio, 43718. All in violation of Ohio Revised CodeSection §2909.02(A)(2), 2909.02(B)(3) F-2. COUNT XIV: did, by force, stealth, or deception, trespass, as defined in section 2911.21(A)(1) of the Revised Code, in an occupied structure or in a separately secured or separately occupied portion of an occupied structure, when Thomas Steed Strussion and Angela Jo Strussion, a person other than the accomplice, were present, with purpose to commit in the structure or in the separately secured or separately occupied portion of the structure any criminal offense, to wit: Aggravated Murder, 2903.01, and the offender inflicted, or attempted or threatened to inflict physical harm on Thomas Steed Strussion and Angela Jo Strussion, and the offender had a deadly weapon or dangerous ordnance, to wit: a firearm, on or about his person or under his control. All in violation of Ohio Revised Code Section §2911.11(A), 2911.11(B) F-1. Firearm Specification – 3 year – §2941.145(A) The Grand Jurors further find and specify that: Andrew Isaac Griffin had a firearm on or about his person or under his control while committing the offense and displayed the firearm, brandished the firearm, indicated that he possessed the firearm, or used it to facilitate the offense. KEVIN FLANAGAN BELMONT COUNTY PROSECUTING ATTORNEY <PROSECUTORSIGNATURE> Prosecutor or by his Assistant |
| CASE NO. ______________________ COMMON PLEAS COURT FEBRUARY SESSION/SPRING TERM BELMONT COUNTY STATE OF OHIO VS. ANDREW ISAAC GRIFFIN 30225 RIVER RD WHITESBORO, OK 74577 SSN: XXX-XX-7891 DOB: 8/29/1992 INDICTMENT FOR: COUNT I: AGGRAVATED MURDER O.R.C. §2903.01(A), 2929.02(A) UF COURSE OF CONDUCT SPECIFICATION – §2929.04(A)(5) FELONY MURDER SPECIFICATION – §2929.04(A)(7) FELONY MURDER SPECIFICATION – §2929.04(A)(7) FIREARM SPECIFICATION – 3 YEAR – §2941.145(A) COUNT II: AGGRAVATED MURDER O.R.C. §2903.01(A), 2929.02(A) UF COURSE OF CONDUCT SPECIFICATION – §2929.04(A)(5) FELONY MURDER SPECIFICATION – §2929.04(A)(7) FELONY MURDER SPECIFICATION – §2929.04(A)(7) FIREARM SPECIFICATION – 3 YEAR – §2941.145(A) COUNT III: AGGRAVATED MURDER O.R.C. §2903.01(B), 2929.02(A) UF COURSE OF CONDUCT SPECIFICATION – §2929.04(A)(5) FIREARM SPECIFICATION – 3 YEAR – §2941.145(A) FELONY MURDER SPECIFICATION – §2929.04(A)(7) FELONY MURDER SPECIFICATION – §2929.04(A)(7) COUNT IV: AGGRAVATED MURDER O.R.C. §2903.01(B), 2929.02(A) UF COURSE OF CONDUCT SPECIFICATION – §2929.04(A)(5) FIREARM SPECIFICATION – 3 YEAR – §2941.145(A) FELONY MURDER SPECIFICATION – §2929.04(A)(7) FELONY MURDER SPECIFICATION – §2929.04(A)(7) COUNT V: AGGRAVATED MURDER O.R.C. §2903.01(B), 2929.02(A) UF COURSE OF CONDUCT SPECIFICATION – §2929.04(A)(5) FIREARM SPECIFICATION – 3 YEAR – §2941.145(A) FELONY MURDER SPECIFICATION – §2929.04(A)(7) FELONY MURDER SPECIFICATION – §2929.04(A)(7) COUNT VI: AGGRAVATED MURDER O.R.C. §2903.01(B), 2929.02(A) UF COURSE OF CONDUCT SPECIFICATION – §2929.04(A)(5) FIREARM SPECIFICATION – 3 YEAR – §2941.145(A) FELONY MURDER SPECIFICATION – §2929.04(A)(7) FELONY MURDER SPECIFICATION – §2929.04(A)(7) COUNT VII: AGGRAVATED MURDER O.R.C. §2903.01(B), 2929.02(A) UF COURSE OF CONDUCT SPECIFICATION – §2929.04(A)(5) FIREARM SPECIFICATION – 3 YEAR – §2941.145(A) COUNT VIII: AGGRAVATED MURDER O.R.C. §2903.01(B), 2929.02(A) UF COURSE OF CONDUCT SPECIFICATION – §2929.04(A)(5) FIREARM SPECIFICATION – 3 YEAR – §2941.145(A) COUNT IX: AGGRAVATED MURDER O.R.C. §2903.01(B), 2929.02(A) UF COURSE OF CONDUCT SPECIFICATION – §2929.04(A)(5) FIREARM SPECIFICATION – 3 YEAR – §2941.145(A) COUNT X: AGGRAVATED MURDER O.R.C. §2903.01(B), 2929.02(A) UF COURSE OF CONDUCT SPECIFICATION – §2929.04(A)(5) FIREARM SPECIFICATION – 3 YEAR – §2941.145(A) COUNT XI: AGGRAVATED MURDER O.R.C. §2903.01(B), 2929.02(A) UF COURSE OF CONDUCT SPECIFICATION – §2929.04(A)(5) FIREARM SPECIFICATION – 3 YEAR – §2941.145(A) COUNT XII: AGGRAVATED MURDER O.R.C. §2903.01(B), 2929.02(A) UF COURSE OF CONDUCT SPECIFICATION – §2929.04(A)(5) FIREARM SPECIFICATION – 3 YEAR – §2941.145(A) COUNT XIII: AGGRAVATED ARSON O.R.C. §2909.02(A)(2), 2909.02(B)(3) F2 COUNT XIV: AGGRAVATED BURGLARY O.R.C. §2911.11(A), 2911.11(B) F1 FIREARM SPECIFICATION – 3 YEAR – §2941.145(A) |
So glad they have found the killer of the son and his wife of lifelong friends and friends of mine on Facebook. Rest in peace Tom, Linda and Tommy.and Angela. Justice is about to be served!