#belmontcountycourthouse

The murders of a popular restauranter and his wife shocked residents throughout the Upper Ohio Valley nearly five years ago, and in October the man accused of the double homicide will stand trial in St. Clairsville. Andrew Griffin, 33, is the former Salsa Joe’s Smokehouse business parter who has been charged with murdering Thomas and Angela Strussion on Sept. 21, 2021, at their home along Trails End Drive. After more than three years of investigation, Griffin was apprehended in February 2025 inside a Home Depot in Hilo, Hawaii, and was extradited to Belmont County a month later. Griffin is scheduled to stand trial beginning on October 19 in the Belmont County Courthouse with Common Pleas Court Judge Chris Berhalter presiding. Belmont County Prosecutor Kevin Flanagan, who will join Judge Berhalter on the bench in January, will prosecute the state’s case, and Kate Clark of the Samuel H. Shamansky Law Office will represent the defendant. Zusack made sure he was present to escort Griffin into the Belmont County Jail after his extradition from Hawaii back in March 2025. And Sheriff James Zusack and his staff are planning now for a very crowded Belmont County Courthouse. “The trial was originally scheduled for March so a lot of conversations have already taken place about what will need to be put in place,” explained Zusack, a member of the department since the early 1990s. “So, we’ve been preparing, but I don’t believe you can ever be over-prepared for anything and this is going to be a pretty big thing for Belmont County. “Not only do we have to provide the security for the trial at the courthouse, but we also have to operate the every-day of the sheriff’s office at the same time,” he said. “We just have to put our aces in our places and do our best to get through it. We've got a game plan, but we’ll continue to prepare to make sure everything is taken care of across the board.” Tom and Angela Strussion were found murdered in their Belmont County home on Sept. 21, 2021. The county courthouse sits along U.S. Route 40 in downtown St. Clairsville, a little over 5 miles away from the Belmont County Jail where Griffin has been lodged for more than a year. While Judge Berhalter’s Common Pleas courtroom is on the third floor, the Commission, Clerk of Courts, the County Recorder, the Probate and Juvenile Division, and Treasurer offices are inside as well. “The Belmont County Courthouse is a beautiful building, and it’s bigger than most people realize,” the sheriff said. “There are a lot of people who work inside the courthouse that are not involved with this trial at all, so that’s another aspect to all of this. “Just like the Sheriff’s Office must continue to operate normally,” Zusack said, “so must all of the employees in the offices inside the courthouse.” Andrew Isaac Griffin, 33, was extradited to Belmont County in mid-March and has been lodged at the Belmont County Jail since. A Crowd of Coverage   Nathan Brooks killed his mother and father during a Satanic ritual at their family home in the early autumn in 1995, and his trial attracted large crowds and regional media coverage, but when quadruple murder Nawaz Ahmed faced his fate in court in 2001, the proceedings were held in a satellite courtroom connected to the Belmont County Jail so space was very limited. Griffin is accused of murdering the Strussion couple, killing their pets, and setting fire to their home, and a firearm specification was included as one of the 14 indictments handed down by the Belmont County Grand Jury Spring Term 2025. “When Brooks was on trial, we had large crowds every day, but that all took place before the internet and social media," Zusack said. “There were a lot of media (members) and other people who attended the trial, but we’re expecting even more attention than Brooks, and more than the (Nawaz) Ahmen trial in 2001. Belmont County Sheriff James Zusack recently honored Chief Detective Ryan Allar and Detective-Sergeant Jordan Blumling for their extensive work on the Strussion murder case. “The trial for Ahmed was held out the Sheriff’s Office inside the courtroom that had been place there,” Zusack said. “So, that was very secure in a sense. We just had to walk in through a door, but we don't have that anymore and our place wouldn't be big enough anyway for this upcoming trial.” Once Griffin was arrested in Hawaii, several national news outlet began reporting on the case, and Zusack expects those networks to dispatch regional affiliates to cover the trial. “There is a lot of curiosity over this case, and I believe that’s because it took us a few years to solve it and get the indictments out,” Zusack said. “And the whole time the detectives were working the case, we continued to get a lot of questions from the media, from the public, and especially from the families involved. “That’s why I do believe we’re going to see a big wave of people coming into Belmont County for this trial,” he said. “Plus, the details about the double homicide are not really known. People know the charges that have been filed against the defendant, the name of the defendant, and the details about arrest and the history of the relationships involved, but not about what took place when the murders took place.” This photograph of Andrew Griffin was published by Big Island Now on March 2, 2025, when the digital media site reported on the defendant's extradition. THE INDICTMENTS: STATE OF OHIO     COURT OF COMMON PLEAS COUNTY OF BELMONT       Of the FEBRUARY SESSION/SPRING TERM in the year two thousand twenty five   The JURORS OF THE GRAND JURY of the State of Ohio, within and for the body of the County aforesaid, on their oaths, in the name and by the authority of the State of Ohio, do find and present that on or about the 20th day of September, 2021 through the 21st day of September, 2021 at Belmont County, Ohio,   ANDREW ISAAC GRIFFIN     COUNT I: did purposely, and with prior calculation and design, cause the death of Angela Jo Strussion. All in violation of Ohio Revised Code Section §2903.01(A), 2929.02(A) U-F. Course of Conduct Specification – §2929.04(A)(5) The Grand Jurors further find and specify that: the offense at bar was part of a course of conduct involving the purposeful killing of or attempt to kill two or more persons, to wit: Angela Jo Strussion and Thomas Steed Strussion by the offender. Felony Murder Specification – §2929.04(A)(7) The Grand Jurors further find and specify that: the offense at bar was committed while the offender was committing, attempting to commit, or fleeing immediately after committing or attempting to commit aggravated arson, and either the offender was the principal offender in the commission of the aggravated murder or, if not the principal offender, committed the aggravated murder with prior calculation and design. Felony Murder Specification – §2929.04(A)(7) The Grand Jurors further find and specify that: the offense at bar was committed while the offender was committing, attempting to commit, or fleeing immediately after committing or attempting to commit aggravated burglary, and either the offender was the principal offender in the commission of the aggravated murder or, if not the principal offender, committed the aggravated murder with prior calculation and design. Firearm Specification – 3 year – §2941.145(A) The Grand Jurors further find and specify that: Andrew Isaac Griffin had a firearm on or about his person or under his control while committing the offense and displayed the firearm, brandished the firearm, indicated that he possessed the firearm, or used it to facilitate the offense. COUNT II: did purposely, and with prior calculation and design, cause the death of Thomas Steed Strussion.  All in violation of Ohio Revised Code Section §2903.01(A), 2929.02(A) U-F. Course of Conduct Specification – §2929.04(A)(5) The Grand Jurors further find and specify that: the offense at bar was part of a course of conduct involving the purposeful killing of or attempt to kill two or more persons, to wit: Thomas Steed Strussion and Angela Jo Strussion by the offender. Felony Murder Specification – §2929.04(A)(7) The Grand Jurors further find and specify that: the offense at bar was committed while the offender was committing, attempting to commit, or fleeing immediately after committing or attempting to commit aggravated arson, and either the offender was the principal offender in the commission of the aggravated murder or, if not the principal offender, committed the aggravated murder with prior calculation and design. Felony Murder Specification – §2929.04(A)(7) The Grand Jurors further find and specify that: the offense at bar was committed while the offender was committing, attempting to commit, or fleeing immediately after committing or attempting to commit aggravated burglary, and either the offender was the principal offender in the commission of the aggravated murder or, if not the principal offender, committed the aggravated murder with prior calculation and design. Firearm Specification – 3 year – §2941.145(A) The Grand Jurors further find and specify that: Andrew Isaac Griffin had a firearm on or about his person or under his control while committing the offense and displayed the firearm, brandished the firearm, indicated that he possessed the firearm, or used it to facilitate the offense.     COUNT III: did purposely cause the death of, Angela Jo Strussion while committing, or attempting to commit, or while fleeing immediately after committing or attempting to commit the offense of Aggravated Arson.  All in violation of Ohio Revised Code Section §2903.01(B), 2929.02(A) U-F. Course of Conduct Specification – §2929.04(A)(5) The Grand Jurors further find and specify that: the offense at bar was part of a course of conduct involving the purposeful killing of or attempt to kill two or more persons, to wit: Angela Jo Strussion and Thomas Steed Strussion by the offender. Firearm Specification – 3 year – §2941.145(A) The Grand Jurors further find and specify that: Andrew Isaac Griffin had a firearm on or about his person or under his control while committing the offense and displayed the firearm, brandished the firearm, indicated that he possessed the firearm, or used it to facilitate the offense. Felony Murder Specification – §2929.04(A)(7) The Grand Jurors further find and specify that: the offense at bar was committed while the offender was committing, attempting to commit, or fleeing immediately after committing or attempting to commit aggravated arson, and either the offender was the principal offender in the commission of the aggravated murder or, if not the principal offender, committed the aggravated murder with prior calculation and design. Felony Murder Specification – §2929.04(A)(7) The Grand Jurors further find and specify that: the offense at bar was committed while the offender was committing, attempting to commit, or fleeing immediately after committing or attempting to commit aggravated burglary, and either the offender was the principal offender in the commission of the aggravated murder or, if not the principal offender, committed the aggravated murder with prior calculation and design.     COUNT IV: did purposely cause the death of, Thomas Steed Strussion while committing, or attempting to commit, or while fleeing immediately after committing or attempting to commit the offense of Aggravated Arson.  All in violation of Ohio Revised Code Section §2903.01(B), 2929.02(A) U-F. Course of Conduct Specification – §2929.04(A)(5) The Grand Jurors further find and specify that: the offense at bar was part of a course of conduct involving the purposeful killing of or attempt to kill two or more persons, to wit: Thomas Steed Strussion and Angela Jo Strussion by the offender. Firearm Specification – 3 year – §2941.145(A) The Grand Jurors further find and specify that: Andrew Isaac Griffin had a firearm on or about his person or under his control while committing the offense and displayed the firearm, brandished the firearm, indicated that he possessed the firearm, or used it to facilitate the offense. Felony Murder Specification – §2929.04(A)(7) The Grand Jurors further find and specify that: the offense at bar was committed while the offender was committing, attempting to commit, or fleeing immediately after committing or attempting to commit aggravated arson, and either the offender was the principal offender in the commission of the aggravated murder or, if not the principal offender, committed the aggravated murder with prior calculation and design. Felony Murder Specification – §2929.04(A)(7) The Grand Jurors further find and specify that: the offense at bar was committed while the offender was committing, attempting to commit, or fleeing immediately after committing or attempting to commit aggravated burglary, and either the offender was the principal offender in the commission of the aggravated murder or, if not the principal offender, committed the aggravated murder with prior calculation and design.     COUNT V: did purposely cause the death of, Angela Jo Strussion while committing, or attempting to commit, or while fleeing immediately after committing or attempting to commit the offense of Aggravated Burglary.  All in violation of Ohio Revised Code Section §2903.01(B), 2929.02(A) U-F. Course of Conduct Specification – §2929.04(A)(5) The Grand Jurors further find and specify that: the offense at bar was part of a course of conduct involving the purposeful killing of or attempt to kill two or more persons, to wit: Angela Jo Strussion and Thomas Steed Strussion by the offender. Firearm Specification – 3 year – §2941.145(A) The Grand Jurors further find and specify that: Andrew Isaac Griffin had a firearm on or about his person or under his control while committing the offense and displayed the firearm, brandished the firearm, indicated that he possessed the firearm, or used it to facilitate the offense. Felony Murder Specification – §2929.04(A)(7) The Grand Jurors further find and specify that: the offense at bar was committed while the offender was committing, attempting to commit, or fleeing immediately after committing or attempting to commit aggravated burglary, and either the offender was the principal offender in the commission of the aggravated murder or, if not the principal offender, committed the aggravated murder with prior calculation and design. Felony Murder Specification – §2929.04(A)(7) The Grand Jurors further find and specify that: the offense at bar was committed while the offender was committing, attempting to commit, or fleeing immediately after committing or attempting to commit aggravated arson, and either the offender was the principal offender in the commission of the aggravated murder or, if not the principal offender, committed the aggravated murder with prior calculation and design.     COUNT VI: did purposely cause the death of, Thomas Steed Strussion while committing, or attempting to commit, or while fleeing immediately after committing or attempting to commit the offense of Aggravated Burglary.  All in violation of Ohio Revised Code Section §2903.01(B), 2929.02(A) U-F. Course of Conduct Specification – §2929.04(A)(5) The Grand Jurors further find and specify that: the offense at bar was part of a course of conduct involving the purposeful killing of or attempt to kill two or more persons, to wit: Thomas Steed Strussion and Angela Jo Strussion by the offender. Firearm Specification – 3 year – §2941.145(A) The Grand Jurors further find and specify that: Andrew Isaac Griffin had a firearm on or about his person or under his control while committing the offense and displayed the firearm, brandished the firearm, indicated that he possessed the firearm, or used it to facilitate the offense. Felony Murder Specification – §2929.04(A)(7) The Grand Jurors further find and specify that: the offense at bar was committed while the offender was committing, attempting to commit, or fleeing immediately after committing or attempting to commit aggravated burglary, and either the offender was the principal offender in the commission of the aggravated murder or, if not the principal offender, committed the aggravated murder with prior calculation and design. Felony Murder Specification – §2929.04(A)(7) The Grand Jurors further find and specify that: the offense at bar was committed while the offender was committing, attempting to commit, or fleeing immediately after committing or attempting to commit aggravated arson, and either the offender was the principal offender in the commission of the aggravated murder or, if not the principal offender, committed the aggravated murder with prior calculation and design.     COUNT VII: did purposely cause the death of, Angela Jo Strussion while committing, or attempting to commit, or while fleeing immediately after committing or attempting to commit the offense of trespass in a habitation when a person is present or likely to be present.  All in violation of Ohio Revised Code Section §2903.01(B), 2929.02(A) U-F. Course of Conduct Specification – §2929.04(A)(5) The Grand Jurors further find and specify that: the offense at bar was part of a course of conduct involving the purposeful killing of or attempt to kill two or more persons, to wit: Angela Jo Strussion and Thomas Steed Strussion by the offender. Firearm Specification – 3 year – §2941.145(A) The Grand Jurors further find and specify that: Andrew Isaac Griffin had a firearm on or about his person or under his control while committing the offense and displayed the firearm, brandished the firearm, indicated that he possessed the firearm, or used it to facilitate the offense.     COUNT VIII: did purposely cause the death of, Thomas Steed Strussion while committing, or attempting to commit, or while fleeing immediately after committing or attempting to commit the offense of trespass in a habitation when a person is present to likely to be present.  All in violation of Ohio Revised Code Section §2903.01(B), 2929.02(A) U-F. Course of Conduct Specification – §2929.04(A)(5) The Grand Jurors further find and specify that: the offense at bar was part of a course of conduct involving the purposeful killing of or attempt to kill two or more persons, to wit: Thomas Steed Strussion and Angela Jo Strussion by the offender.      Firearm Specification – 3 year – §2941.145(A) The Grand Jurors further find and specify that: Andrew Isaac Griffin had a firearm on or about his person or under his control while committing the offense and displayed the firearm, brandished the firearm, indicated that he possessed the firearm, or used it to facilitate the offense.     COUNT IX: did purposely cause the death of, Angela Jo Strussion while committing, or attempting to commit, or while fleeing immediately after committing or attempting to commit the offense of Burglary.  All in violation of Ohio Revised Code Section §2903.01(B), 2929.02(A) U-F. Course of Conduct Specification – §2929.04(A)(5) The Grand Jurors further find and specify that: the offense at bar was part of a course of conduct involving the purposeful killing of or attempt to kill two or more persons, to wit: Angela Jo Strussion and Angela Jo Strussion by the offender. Firearm Specification – 3 year – §2941.145(A) The Grand Jurors further find and specify that: Andrew Isaac Griffin had a firearm on or about his person or under his control while committing the offense and displayed the firearm, brandished the firearm, indicated that he possessed the firearm, or used it to facilitate the offense.     COUNT X: did purposely cause the death of, Thomas Steed Strussion while committing, or attempting to commit, or while fleeing immediately after committing or attempting to commit the offense of burglary.  All in violation of Ohio Revised Code Section §2903.01(B), 2929.02(A) U-F. Read the full article