(ST. CLAIRSVILLE, Ohio) — An Oklahoma man was found guilty today of aggravated murder in the 2021 killings of a Belmont County couple, Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson and Belmont County Prosecutor Kevin Flanagan announced.
“Today’s verdicts hold a cold-blooded killer accountable,” Wilson said. “I’m grateful to the investigators, prosecutors and jurors who helped secure justice for the victims and their loved ones. A special thanks to Chris Kinsler of my office’s Special Prosecutions Section for his work on the case.”
Andrew Griffin, 34, of Whitesboro, Oklahoma, was convicted of two counts of aggravated murder and one count of aggravated arson following a seven-day jury trial in Belmont County Common Pleas Court.
Prosecutors alleged that Griffin fatally shot Thomas and Angela Strussion in their Belmont home on Sept. 21, 2021, before setting the house on fire.
Griffin and Thomas Strussion had been business partners in the restaurant industry before Griffin was forced out of the partnership.
Griffin’s sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 1 in Belmont County Common Pleas Court.
The Belmont County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case with help from the FBI and Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation. The Belmont County Prosecutor’s Office prosecuted it with assistance from the Ohio Attorney General’s Special Prosecutions Section.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Dominic Binkley: 614-728-4127
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