T-L Photo/GAGE VOTA Alleged double murderer Andrew Isaac Griffin appears in front of Belmont County Common Pleas Judge Chris Berhalter for his pre-trial hearing.

ST. CLAIRSVILLE – Alleged double murderer Andrew Isaac Griffin appeared in Belmont County Common Pleas Court for his pretrial hearing Friday afternoon.

Griffin is accused of the double homicide of his Salsa Joe’s Restaurant business partner, Thomas Strussion, and his wife, Angela Strussion. The couple were murdered in their Trails End Drive home near Belmont in 2021, along with their dogs.

On Friday, Belmont County Prosecutor Kevin Flanagan informed the court that evidence was recently made known to the state of Ohio within the last week.

“We discussed that in chambers with defense counsel, and the identification of that will be forthcoming to the defense. That will not in any way delay anything as we move forward,” Flanagan said. “Other than that, the state of Ohio has nothing else to provide.”

Common Pleas Judge Chris Berhalter then asked Griffin’s attorney, Kate Clark of the Samuel H. Shamansky Law Office, to confirm or deny whether she had spoken with Flanagan in chambers about the existence of the new evidence, to which she confirmed she had.

Flanagan then vaguely described the newly discovered evidence as a physical piece of evidence that required a subpoena.

“That subpoena has been issued by the detective division of the sheriff’s department, and now we’re just waiting on the results of that subpoena,” Flanagan said.

Berhalter then asked Clark if there was any reciprocal discovery or anything in addition she needed from the state. She responded, “nothing at this time.”

Berhalter added that the state has a pending motion to allow a witness to appear by deposition.

Flanagan’s motion was previously filed due to an out-of-state witness having a serious health condition that makes travel difficult.

Berhalter asked Flanagan, without divulging any information, if he was aware of the condition of the witness.

“We had called the individual and spoke to a family member. The situation of the individual has been told to us is still dire. We did again follow up on May 14 and again have received the same information,” Flanagan said. “We ultimately understand that if in fact we move forward in further requesting that the court accept the deposition of the witness that was previously had before this court that the court will probably want some medical excuse. If the court could give us up to 60 days before trial to present that, that would give us a better understanding of their physical condition.”

Berhalter told Clark that he was aware of her contesting the use of the previous recorded deposition but asked if she had any issue with granting Flanagan up to 60 days before trial to provide a doctor’s excuse.

“I’m not asking for your input or what your position is on that motion, because you’ve already made that clear, you’re opposed to the state,” Berhalter said. “But what’s your position about that 60-day notice?”

Clark replied that she believes the 60 days prior to the trial deadline is sufficient.

Berhalter asked both Clark and Flanagan if either had any issues with the Oct. 19, 8:30 a.m. court date, with neither having an issue.

He then set the next pretrial hearing for June 20 at 1:30 p.m. in his court.