Schumaker’s office has secured several capital murder convictions since he became county prosecutor in 1984:
• William Sapp: convicted in 1999 of the beating deaths of Martha Leach, 11, and Phree Morrow, 12. Sapp also confessed to the murder of Belinda Anderson, 31, between 1993 and 1995, and was convicted for the 1993 attempted murder of Hazel Pearson.
• Juan Kinley: sentenced to death in 1991 after being convicted of the machete killing of Thelma Miller, 31, and her 12-year-old son, David Miller.
• Timothy Coleman: sent to death row in 1997 after being convicted of the shooting death of Melinda Stevens.
• Kerry Perez: convicted in 2005 of the 2003 shooting death of Ronald Johnson.
• Jason Dean: convicted in 2006 for the shooting death of Titus Arnold, 30, in 2005. Dean’s conviction was overturned by the Ohio Supreme Court earlier this year and ordered a new trial.
SPRINGFIELD — Clark County Prosecutor Stephen Schumaker received a standing ovation as he approached a podium Tuesday after it was announced that he would be joining the attorney general’s office.
Several of his staff members wept when the announcement was made during a morning press conference in Clark County Common Pleas Judge Richard O’Neill’s courtroom.
The seven-term prosecutor was appointed deputy attorney general for law enforcement by incoming Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine, officials announced.
Schumaker leaves behind a 32-year career in the Clark County prosecutor’s office, first as an assistant in 1978 until his election to county prosecutor in 1984.
In that time, he’s tried hundreds of cases, secured several capital murder cases and earned a stellar reputation among colleagues and local officials.
“He’s one of the most dedicated public servants I’ve ever known,” said Clark County Commissioner John Detrick. “This man would work evenings and weekends and put himself into anything he did.”
DeWine said Tuesday that he was proud of his selection.
“No one understands the criminal justice system like Steve Schumaker,” said DeWine. “He truly is a prosecutor’s prosecutor.”
Schumaker will take office Jan. 10.
Officials have not said who might be in the running to complete Schumaker’s term, which expires in 2012.
His replacement will be appointed by the Clark County GOP’s 56-member central committee at a meeting sometime between five and 45 days after he leaves office.
Party Chairwoman Lynda Smith said Tuesday that she intends to let all interested parties speak before the committee, and then take a vote. She said one person has expressed an interest so far, though she declined to name the individual.
In his new role, Schumaker will oversee several state agencies, including the Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation, also known as BCI.
Additionally, he will be responsible for the criminal justice legal division, the crime victims division and the health care fraud division at the attorney general’s office, said DeWine.
“I am confident that Steve is the right person for the job,” said DeWine.
Springfield Police Division Chief Stephen Moody called the news “bittersweet.”
“From our perspective, he’s always been a cop’s prosecutor, he was never afraid to get his hands dirty,” said Moody. “It’s the right pick for Mr. DeWine, that’s for sure.”
Tom Stickrath, current director of the Ohio Department of Public Safety, will lead BCI, DeWine announced.
Schumaker said he was thrilled with the appointment and also sad to leave the Clark County Prosecutor’s office.
“I will miss these courtrooms,” he said.
Clark County Sheriff Gene Kelly said Schumaker’s hands-on approach to his job was an asset to law enforcement.
“Steve’s been out there (at crime scenes),” said Kelly. “Whenever it’s been a big case, he’s been there.”
Schumaker would not say how long it took him to accept the position, saying it was “a process.”
He also declined to comment on whether he will make a recommendation regarding his replacement or who that person might be.
“I’m hopeful that the next prosecuting attorney will come out of the prosecutor’s office,” he said.
Schumaker is a Wittenberg University graduate and earned his law degree from Ohio State University.
He has been married to Robyn Koch-Schumaker for 32 years. They have two sons, Alexander and Ryan, and a daughter, Laura.
Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0360 or vlough@coxohio.com.
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