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CLEVELAND, Ohio – Lorain County Prosecutor J.D. Tomlinson is seeking to exonerate four men who were convicted of murdering a woman in 1991. Tomlinson on Monday said that he filed a joint motion with defense attorneys seeking new trials for Alfred Cleveland, Benson Davis, John Edwards and Lenworth Edwards, who were convicted of murdering Marsha Blakely. If a judge agrees to a new trial, Tomlinson said he would drop the charges, according to a news release. “Justice demands action, even when it is difficult,” Tomlinson wrote. “It requires the humility to acknowledge when a case does not meet the high standards required by our legal system.” Davis and John Edwards are still incarcerated. Lenworth Edwards and Davis have since been paroled, defense attorneys said. The four were also suspected, but not charged, in the killing of Floyd Epps, who was Blakely’s roommate and was found dead near her and was killed in a similar manner. The convictions largely centered around the testimony of William Avery Jr., who has since recanted his testimony. That wasn’t the only issue with Avery’s testimony, however. For one, Avery, the son of a police informant, has been recanting his testimony for roughly 20 years that placed the four men in prison. Tomlinson said Avery’s testimony changed several times, was made only after learning about a $2,000 reward in the case and was at odds with physical evidence investigators collected at the scene. In 2004, Avery implicated his father as a suspect in the murder of Blakely, and said his father told him to lie about the case, according to Tomlinson. Jonathan Rosenbaum, the assistant county prosecutor who secured the convictions in the 1990s, blasted Tomlinson and his chief of staff, James Burge. Rosenbaum said in a statement that the two are playing politics at the expense of justice. “Tomlinson and Burge have placed themselves above the law in total disregard of jury verdicts,” Rosenbaum said. In 2009, a state appeals court denied Cleveland’s request for a new trial . This isn’t the first time Tomlinson has sought to overturn one of Rosenbaum’s convictions. In 2022, after a judge granted a new trial to the infamous Lorain Head Start defendants Nancy Smith and Joseph Allen, Tomlinson dismissed charges against them . In that case, Smith and Allen were convicted of sex crimes against children that the case’s lead detective believed never even happened . It was one of the county’s most controversial convictions in its history. Though the primary evidence Tomlinson cited has been around for years, the case gained a new level of prominence when John Edwards’ attorney, Joshua Dubin, the executive director of the Perlmutter Center for Legal Justice, appeared on the popular Joe Rogan Experience podcast to discuss the case. “These cases take on a life of their own in terms of momentum,” Dubin said in a phone interview. “I think we had a massive outpouring of support.” When Dubin broke the news to John Edwards, he broke down in tears. “These guys have suffered for more than three decades, and I think they’ll breathe their final sigh of relief once the order is signed,” Dubin said. RECOMMENDED • cleveland .com Rock Hall and area museums offer deals for 'Museum Store Sunday' Nov. 27, 2024, 12:52 p.m. Biden pardons his son Hunter despite previous promises that he would not do so Dec. 1, 2024, 7:41 p.m. Kimberly Corral, who is representing Edwards, was with him when the announcement came through, and described him as being in a state of “otherworldly relief.” Though a judge still needs to decide whether to accept the joint filing, Corral expressed optimism. “I think it would be difficult for a judge, when he’s presented with a motion jointly supported by all the parties involved... to have any basis to reject that filing,” Corral said.Trump buying Greenland would be largest US territory acquisition ever — topping even these massive gains
Stock up on these popular board games for your next get-togetherRACINE, Wis. — Former Wisconsin State Sen. George Petak, known for his pivotal role in securing funding for Miller Park, died peacefully in his sleep early on Christmas Eve, his family announced in a Facebook post. He was 75. Petak made headlines nearly 30 years ago when he changed his vote on Oct. 6, 1995, to approve a bill funding the construction of Miller Park, now known as American Family Field, ensuring the Milwaukee Brewers would remain in Wisconsin. Initially promising to vote against the measure, Petak flipped his vote to a yes, citing the broader benefits for the state. The decision imposed a sales tax on five counties, including his home in Racine County, and ultimately cost him his seat in a recall election nine months later. MILWAUKEE, WI - APRIL 04: Milwaukee Brewers fans file into Miller Park Before the game between the San Francisco Giants and the Milwaukee Brewers on Opening Day at Miller Park on April 04, 2016 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Mike McGinnis/Getty Images) “I felt that back then it was the right thing to do,” Petak told TMJ4 News in 2018, reflecting on the vote 23 years later. “At the time of the vote in early October, I didn’t anticipate a recall election based on that, although I knew it was a very contentious issue.” Petak represented Wisconsin’s 21st Senate District from 1991 to 1996. His son, Brian Petak, shared a heartfelt tribute on social media, thanking the community for their prayers and support and noting a significant milestone in his father’s life. “Today is the 53rd anniversary of Dad surrendering his life to Jesus on Christmas Eve 1971,” Brian wrote. “He went home to be with Him on Christmas Eve 2024. I think God enjoys sweet timing like this, and we all now believe Dad wanted this timing as well.” Gov. Tony Evers also issued a statement honoring Petak’s life and legacy. “Kathy and I join the people of Wisconsin in mourning the loss of Sen. Petak today,” Evers said. “Sen. Petak was a man of faith, courage, and principle. He truly had a servant’s heart, always leading with empathy and integrity to give back and do more for others. We extend our deepest sympathies to his wife, children, loved ones, and the many lives he touched.” Details about a memorial service have not yet been announced. It’s about time to watch on your time. Stream local news and weather 24/7 by searching for “TMJ4” on your device. Available for download on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and more. Report a typo or errorNone
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