(PAINESVILLE, Ohio) - Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine said he credits good teamwork between agents with his office's Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) and local officials in Lake County after today's murder conviction of Joseph Thomas.
A jury found Thomas guilty on all counts for the murder of Mentor-on-the-Lake bartender Ann McSween in November 2010.
"When our BCI agents were first asked to assist with this case no one had any idea who would have committed such a brutal crime," said Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine. "Thanks to great teamwork between local authorities and our agents and lab technicians there is a conviction that has been a long time coming."
Charges against Thomas include aggravated murder, kidnapping, rape, aggravated robbery and tampering with evidence.
McSween, 49, was killed outside Mario's Lakeway Lounge early Thanksgiving morning in 2010. The jury found that Thomas raped the bartender, and then beat and stabbed her to death.
Thomas is facing the death penalty. The jury will resume deliberations next week to recommend whether Thomas should be sentenced to death or if he should serve life in prison with or without the possibility of parole. The Lake County judge presiding over the case will make the final decision.
The sentencing phase begins Wednesday.
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