T-L Photos/JENNIFER COMPSTON-STROUGH Andrew Isaac Griffin, accused of the double homicide of Thomas and Angela Strussion, leaves Belmont County Common Pleas Court on Monday after waiving his right to a speedy trial.

ST. CLAIRSVILLE — The man accused of murdering a Belmont County couple in their home waived his right to a speedy trial on Monday.

Andrew Isaac Griffin, 33, of Whitesboro, Oklahoma, appeared before Belmont County Common Pleas Judge Chris Berhalter on Monday afternoon, represented by attorney Donald L. Regensburger of the Columbus-based firm Samuel H. Shamansky, Attorney at Law. Berhalter had previously set Griffin’s trial before a jury to begin at 8:30 a.m. July 15, but defense attorneys had said they would need more time to prepare.

Griffin is accused of double homicide in the September 2021 deaths of Thomas and Angela Strussion in their Trails End Drive home near Belmont. Thomas had owned and operated Salsa Joe’s restaurants along National Road east of Morristown and in Elm Grove, and Griffin had partnered with him at the Wheeling location in May 2021.

Griffin was arrested in Hawaii by Belmont County Sheriff’s Department detectives in February.

On Monday, Regensburger told the court that his office had received all discovery in the case and had begun to review it.

Berhalter then rescheduled the deposition of a witness for the state and an additional pretrial at 1 p.m. July 23. Prosecutor Kevin Flanagan suggested that the court could set a trial date at that time, to which Regensburger and Berhalter agreed.

Berhalter also asked Regensburger to have his office review three potential questionnaires that could be used during jury selection. He also directed him to have his office file a notice prior to July 23 stating who will be trying the case on behalf of the Shamansky law firm.

In response to a question from Berhalter regarding scheduling and continuances, Regensburger said that Griffin had decided to waive his right to a speedy trial and then presented a signed waiver to the court.

“Mr. Griffin, as we have discussed before, you understand you have a right to a speedy trial,” Berhalter addressed the defendant. “That is the state of Ohio must bring you to trial within 270 days from the date of your arrest, or 90 if you remain in custody. … But the right to speedy trial is your right. As it is your right, you have the ability to waive it. And your attorney has represented to this court that at this time you do wish to waive your right to a speedy trial.”

Griffin replied: “Yes, Your Honor.”

Because Griffin could face the death penalty if convicted, Berhalter also touched on the qualifications of the defense attorneys he has hired. In Ohio, the Commission on Appointment of Counsel in Capital Cases maintains a roster of attorneys who have received special training and who have gained experience in representing clients who face capital punishment. Berhalter pointed out that Shamansky and the lawyers employed by his firm are not on that list.

Griffin acknowledged that he was aware that the court-appointed attorneys who previously represented him were included on that roster and that the Shamansky firm is not.

Berhalter concluded by informing Regensburger that since his firm has been hired to represent Griffin and the court-appointed lawyers have withdrawn from the case, the court will not permit the firm to withdraw for financial reasons.