Murder case judge issue may to to Ohio's high court

CLEVELAND (AP) — The lawyer for a Cleveland serial-killing suspect says if the judge doesn’t take herself off the case, he’ll ask the Ohio Supreme Court to remove her.

Judge Shirley Strickland Saffold made no decision at a hearing Tuesday on whether to step aside over anonymous online criticisms of attorney Rufus Sims and others traced to the judge’s personal e-mail.

Sims represents defendant Anthony Sowell, who’s accused of killing 11 women. The lawyer said after the hearing that he doubts Sowell can get a fair trial with Saffold.

Assistant Prosecutor Richard Bombik says he believes Saffold can be impartial but agrees the state Supreme Court should decide whether she stays.

Saffold’s daughter has claimed to have posted the online comments.