Defense attorneys ask for 4th Widmer trial

LEBANON, Ohio - Defense attorneys for convicted murderer Ryan Widmer have filed a motion for a fourth trial based on new evidence, including false employment records by the lead detective in the case.

Ryan Widmer was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison after being found guilty in February of killing his wife, Sarah, in their Warren County home in 2008.

Michele Berry, one of Widmer's attorneys, asked the court to conduct genetic testing for Long QT Syndrome on the biological remains of Sarah, which the defense believes may have contributed to her drowning death.

Lead detective, Lt. Det. Jeff Braley, resigned in June of this year after he was under fire for inaccuracies on his job resume.

Braley’s resume and job application in 1996 showed that he attended the University of Florida and Wright State University. In fact, Braley did not attend those institutions and does not have a college degree. His resume and application further stated that he worked for the U.S. Postal Service as a postal inspector from 1993 to 1995. That information turned out to be incorrect; he was a postal clerk for 6 to 8 weeks.

Braley would have faced what the township calls a pre-discpilinary hearing had he not resigned.

Widmer’s defense attorneys tried, but failed, to get evidence of Braley’s history entered as evidence in Widmer’s second murder trial. However, Warren County Judge Neal Bronson did not allow it.

An earlier conviction for Widmer was thrown out because of juror misconduct. A second trial ended with a hung jury.