The high-profile pretrial hearing for Andrew Isaac Griffin, who is accused in the 2021 double killing of restaurateurs Thomas and Angela Strussion, moved ahead Friday in Belmont County Common Pleas Court. Prosecutors told the judge they had just learned of a new physical item tied to the investigation that now needs a subpoena. Judge Chris Berhalter set another pretrial hearing and kept the October trial calendar intact while both sides continue trading motions and evidence.
According to Times Leader, Belmont County Prosecutor Kevin Flanagan told the court the evidence was brought to the state's attention within the past week and that the detective division had already issued a subpoena for it. Flanagan added, "That will not in any way delay anything as we move forward." The outlet reported that the state had no other new materials to hand over at Friday's hearing.
Deposition Fight And An Ill Witness
The prosecution has asked to present testimony from an out-of-state witness by deposition, saying the witness has a serious health condition that makes travel difficult, according to The Intelligencer. Defense attorney Kate Clark has pushed back on some proposed uses of earlier recorded testimony, and Judge Berhalter signaled he may look for additional information before deciding whether the deposition can be used at trial.
Schedule And Next Dates
Per Times Leader, Flanagan asked the court for up to 60 days before trial to provide a doctor's note if the witness is still unable to travel. Berhalter scheduled the next pretrial hearing for June 20 at 1:30 p.m. and left an Oct. 19, 8:30 a.m. court date on the books, with neither side objecting.
Case Background
Thomas and Angela Strussion were found dead inside their Trails End Drive home on Sept. 21, 2021. Investigators later concluded they were victims of a double homicide and that the house had been set on fire, according to an FBI notice. A grand jury handed up indictments in February 2025 charging Griffin with aggravated murder, arson and burglary, and local reporting says prosecutors plan to rely on cell-tower and phone records among other evidence at trial, as reported by Lede News.
What’s Next
Berhalter is expected to revisit the outstanding issues at the June 20 pretrial, when prosecutors are due to update the court on the subpoenaed item and the health and travel status of the out-of-state witness. If the judge allows a prior deposition to come in, it could influence what jurors ultimately hear and trim the list of witnesses who must appear in person at trial, The Intelligencer reported. For now, with no objections to the Oct. 19 date, the case remains on track for a fall trial window.
