T-L Photo/GAGE VOTA Andrew Isaac Griffin, who is accused of the double homicide of Thomas and Angela Strussion, appears in Belmont County Common Pleas Court for a pre-trial hearing.

ST. CLAIRSVILLE – A new court date has been set for alleged double murderer Andrew Isaac Griffin.

Belmont County Common Pleas Court Judge Christopher Berhalter set for Oct. 19 at 8:30 a.m.

Griffin is accused in the double homicide of Thomas and Angela Strussion at their Trails End Drive home near Belmont in 2021. Griffin is a former business partner of Thomas Strussion’s in owning the former Salsa Joe’s.

On Jan. 9, the trial was scheduled for March 2, but Griffin’s lawyer – Ashton Gaitanos of Columbus-based firm Samuel H. Shamansky Law Office – asked Berhalter for a continuation. He requested that the trial date be suspended for at least two months “based on information received from experts in the matter.”

On Friday afternoon, Berhalter asked Griffin’s other lawyer Kate Clark, who appeared through Zoom and is also of the Columbus-based firm Samuel H. Shamansky Law Office, if Oct. 19 would be adequate time for the defense. He also asked Belmont County Prosecutor Kevin Flanagan the same question. Both the defense and the state confirmed it would.

Flanagan asked Berhalter if the trial deposition that was previously conducted due to the witness having a serious health condition would still be accepted or if that witness will need to testify again.

“I know the court wanted to consider it. However, the [witness] appeared in person. The defendant had the ability to cross examine the defendant. Is it fair to say now your honor that that witness, essentially, or at least his testimony, will be accepted and be able to be presented in front of a jury, or does the court want us to essentially keep him on hold, to bring him back?” Flanagan asked.

Berhalter replied that he was not trying to create a difficult situation for the state but it was purported that there were health issues with that individual. There is plenty of time for the state to make arrangements. I was going to see what condition this individual was in as we were closer to trial and then I would make a decision,” he said.

Berhalter added that there are two videos of that deposition that were supposed to be prepared, one which is the original and one with edits that both parties agreed to.

He asked Flanagan if that had been undertaken.

Flanagan said that the original has been prepared,and the state decided against making any edits to the video.

“We did not edit anything out, but we did actually get a copy for the defense as well,” he said.

Berhalter said that with the trial date being in October, the court has time, but would encourage the parties to review the recording.

“That’s not an indication of how this court will rule, but I would see if you could reach an agreement as to what edits, if any, should be made,” Berhalter said.

The next pre-trial hearing is set for Feb. 27 at 1:30 p.m.