The event is free and open to the public. Business attire is required and observers must be seated by 9:40 a.m. Court is in session at 10 a.m.

The Third District Court of Appeals will hear oral arguments at Ohio Northern University Pettit College of Law at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, April 1, 2025 in Tilton Hall, Room 129.

Two cases will be heard including one criminal case, State of Ohio, Plaintiff-Appellee v. Matthew Keith Risch, Defendant-Appellant and one civil case, Ohio Premier Properties, LLC, Plaintiff-Appellee v. Eddie’s Rentals, LLC, Defendant-Appellant.

In the criminal case, Appellant, Matthew Risch, will appeal his 2024 conviction of two counts of gross sexual imposition, two counts of disseminating material harmful to a juvenile, and two counts of public indecency. His appeal challenges: 1) admission of Appellant’s prior conviction for gross sexual imposition, 2) denial of his motion for a mistrial based on witness coaching, 3) ineffective assistance of his trial counsel, 4) cumulative errors denying Appellant of a fair trial, and 4) imposition of consecutive sentences.  

In the civil case, Appellant, Eddie’s Rentals, LLC, brings two assignments of error relating to the Allen County Common Pleas Court’s grant of summary judgment to Appellee, Ohio Premier Properties, LLC. In August, 2024, the Common Pleas Court rescinded Appellant’s sale of real estate on West Market Street in Allen County to Appellee based on a breach of warranty. Appellant challenges the trial court’s interpretation of the deed language and its decision to order a rescision of the sale over a monetary damages award.

At the conclusion of the cases, the appellate judges will take questions from the audience.

The judges that will be in attendance are Presiding Judge Juergen A. Waldick, JD ‘85, Mark C. Miller, JD ’91, and William R. Zimmerman, JD ‘79.

ONU Law Dean Charles Rose III says the event is always much anticipated. “The connection between the classroom and the courtroom at ONU Law is never clearer than when the Third District Court of Appeals hears oral arguments in the Celebrezze Courtroom. Generations of ONU lawyers have listened, and learned, from the best. We are happy to welcome them back again this year. Our students cannot wait to listen and learn,” says Dean Rose.

The appellate court's special session at ONU Law is part of an educational outreach program to give students, educators and the public an opportunity to enhance their understanding of the appellate process. The appellate court, based in Lima, Ohio, is comprised of 17 counties and travels among them for special court sessions.

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