Falling ceiling plaster makes mess of Ohio courtroom

LANCASTER, Ohio (AP) — An Ohio courtroom is out of order because part of the ceiling fell down.

A bailiff arrived for work Monday morning at the municipal court in central Ohio’s Fairfield County and found ceiling plaster all over the judge’s desk, jury seats and defense table.

No one was hurt. The Lancaster Eagle-Gazette reports the plaster was weakened by a water leak on the floor above.

Judge David Trimmer tells the newspaper a temporary courtroom has been set up in the basement of Lancaster City Hall while repairs and cleaning are done in his court.

Judge Trimmer says the damage, in his words, “just makes you sick.” He says his courtroom was remodeled only three years ago.

The judge doesn’t have a damage estimate. He says insurance should cover the costs.