Family members of Lisa Straub and Johnny Clarke left Judge Dean Mandros' courtroom Friday giving a thumbs up and sharing emotional hugs while waiting for the elevator.
They appeared to have a sense of relief because after a total of seven hours of deliberation the jury of three men and nine women found Samuel Williams guilty of two counts of aggravated murder, two counts of kidnapping, and one count of aggravated burglary.
Johnny Clarke's mom Maytee Vasquez-Clarke wasn't in court because a judge banned her from the courthouse, but she told 13 ABC over the phone, "Justice was served today. No evil deeds go unseen. I hope Lisa and Johnny's faces haunt him [Williams] until he takes his last dying breath."In January of 2011 Clarke and Straub were found with their hands duct-taped behind their backs and plastic bags tightly duct-taped over their heads.
A cigarette butt found at the crime scene with Williams' DNA on it was the main piece of evidence presented to the jury this week, in addition to cell phone records and jail phone calls.
Prosecutors argued the case is all about drugs and money. In closing arguments, the prosecution said if the jury believed one witness then the case is closed. That witness is named Eric Yingling who testified that Williams confessed to him while behind bars.
After reading the verdict, Judge Dean Mandros told members of the jury they will not be sequestered over the weekend as they wait to begin deciding whether Williams should face the death penalty.
"You are not to watch TV," says Mandros. "You are ordered to stay away from any type of social media. You are not to talk about this case with anyone. You're not to allow anyone to talk about this case to you. It is of critical importance that you remain free from any outside influence."
Court resumes Monday at 8:30 a.m. with the second phase of the trial. The same jury that reached the guilty verdict will next decide if Williams should face capital punishment.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 8:27 PM EDT2013-05-23 00:27:36 GMT
K.C. Collete submitted his resignation as a member of Findlay City Council Wednesday.He did not specify a reason for his departure in his resignation letter, reports 13abc media partner The Toledo Blade.
K.C. Collete submitted his resignation as a member of Findlay City Council Wednesday. Collete was arrested on a petty theft charge over the weekend for allegedly attempting to steal two bottles of vitamins.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 8:12 PM EDT2013-05-23 00:12:19 GMT
A Maumee doctor facing 30 drug charges was set to go on trial Wednesday, but the trial was pushed back until next month. Dr. Barry Deran is charged with 15 counts each of drug possession and drug trafficking. He is
A Maumee doctor facing 30 drug charges was set to go on trial Wednesday, but the trial was pushed back until next month.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 6:20 PM EDT2013-05-22 22:20:59 GMT
Toledo Police are on the scene of a rollover accident on I-475 between Corey Road and Talmadge Road after a vehicle lost control and flipped over into a ditch. Police are still trying to piece together
Toledo Police are on the scene of a rollover accident on I-475 between Corey Road and Talmadge Road after a vehicle lost control and flipped over into a ditch.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 6:20 PM EDT2013-05-22 22:20:00 GMT
Lucas County prosecutors are not giving up in their pursuit of a former Ottawa Hills police officer who shot and paralyzed a man. Now the case is headed to the Ohio Supreme Court after a ruling Wednesday.
Lucas County prosecutors are not giving up in their pursuit of a former Ottawa Hills police officer who shot and paralyzed a man. Now the case is headed to the Ohio Supreme Court after a ruling Wednesday.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 6:16 PM EDT2013-05-22 22:16:56 GMT
More than five hundred swat team officers are training in Northwest Ohio this week for the Ohio Tactical Officers Association Conference. With the increasing threats that face our communities swat teams
More than five hundred swat team officers are training in Northwest Ohio this week for the Ohio Tactical Officers Association Conference.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 5:07 PM EDT2013-05-22 21:07:58 GMT
A grandma in Fostoria fights off a man who tried to kidnap her grandson. 13 ABC's Christine Long spoke with the grandmother who battled for the boy kicking and screaming. Anyone you talk to in town
"I'm grateful that God gave me the strength to fight the man off," says Paulette Barchus who kicked and screamed on Wednesday to protect her grandson.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 8:27 PM EDT2013-05-23 00:27:36 GMT
K.C. Collete submitted his resignation as a member of Findlay City Council Wednesday.He did not specify a reason for his departure in his resignation letter, reports 13abc media partner The Toledo Blade.
K.C. Collete submitted his resignation as a member of Findlay City Council Wednesday. Collete was arrested on a petty theft charge over the weekend for allegedly attempting to steal two bottles of vitamins.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 8:12 PM EDT2013-05-23 00:12:19 GMT
A Maumee doctor facing 30 drug charges was set to go on trial Wednesday, but the trial was pushed back until next month. Dr. Barry Deran is charged with 15 counts each of drug possession and drug trafficking. He is
A Maumee doctor facing 30 drug charges was set to go on trial Wednesday, but the trial was pushed back until next month.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 6:20 PM EDT2013-05-22 22:20:59 GMT
Toledo Police are on the scene of a rollover accident on I-475 between Corey Road and Talmadge Road after a vehicle lost control and flipped over into a ditch. Police are still trying to piece together
Toledo Police are on the scene of a rollover accident on I-475 between Corey Road and Talmadge Road after a vehicle lost control and flipped over into a ditch.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 6:20 PM EDT2013-05-22 22:20:00 GMT
Lucas County prosecutors are not giving up in their pursuit of a former Ottawa Hills police officer who shot and paralyzed a man. Now the case is headed to the Ohio Supreme Court after a ruling Wednesday.
Lucas County prosecutors are not giving up in their pursuit of a former Ottawa Hills police officer who shot and paralyzed a man. Now the case is headed to the Ohio Supreme Court after a ruling Wednesday.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 6:16 PM EDT2013-05-22 22:16:56 GMT
More than five hundred swat team officers are training in Northwest Ohio this week for the Ohio Tactical Officers Association Conference. With the increasing threats that face our communities swat teams
More than five hundred swat team officers are training in Northwest Ohio this week for the Ohio Tactical Officers Association Conference.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 6:11 PM EDT2013-05-22 22:11:42 GMT
The Toledo mayor's race may be a crowded affair but so far no viable Republicans. All seven announced candidates have to first file petitions and be certified by the Lucas County Board of Elections.
Toledo Mayor Mike Bell has the financial backing of Republicans and the Independent could get the party's endorsement.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 5:42 PM EDT2013-05-22 21:42:15 GMT
A Toledo woman needs your help tonight. Her service dog disappeared late Monday night and is still missing. Robin Reau, 60, has uncontrollable seizures. Seven years ago she got Kaden- a specially trained
A Central Toledo woman is looking for her missing service dog. The dog is a black and white Lhaso Apso name Kamden. The dog disappeared from a home near Ashland and Bancroft Monday. The dog is trained to detect seizures before they happen and alert the owner. If you have any information about the dog call 13ABC.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 5:12 PM EDT2013-05-22 21:12:14 GMT
A North Baltimore woman who faked having cancer pleaded guilty to theft charges Wednesday. Kimberlie Gustwiler faces up to three years in jail. She is currently out on bond. The single mother claimed
A North Baltimore woman who faked having cancer pleaded guilty to theft charges Wednesday. Kimberlie Gustwiler faces up to three years in jail. She is currently out on bond.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 4:45 PM EDT2013-05-22 20:45:11 GMT
A Lucas County sheriff's deputy was in court Wednesday morning. Deputy Paul Little is accused of giving a firearm to a convicted felon and filing a false report that the gun was stolen. The 15-year veteran
A Lucas County sheriff's deputy was in court Wednesday morning. Deputy Paul Little is accused of giving a firearm to a convicted felon and filing a false report that the gun was stolen.
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