Father, Daughter Appear In Court After Steubenville Rape Case Findings

STEUBENVILLE, Ohio (KDKA) -- A father and daughter appeared in court today in Steubenville, Ohio in cases that were outgrowths of an investigation of the rape of a 16-year-old girl.

Two Steubenville High School football players were convicted in the rape case.

But defendant William Rhinaman raised a few eyebrows when he told the judge he had secured a law firm based in Beverly Hills, Calif., after a previous hearing at which he asked for a public defender claiming he could not afford his own attorney. He said the law firm helped him find an Ohio lawyer.

Judge Patricia Cosgrove: "Are they out of Columbus, Ohio?"

Rhinaman: "They are out of Beverly Hills, Calif. They're a large law firm."

Judge Cosgrove: "They are out of Beverly Hills, Calif.?

Rhinaman: "Yes, ma'am. Mr. Terani is out of Akron, Ohio.

Judge Cosgrove: "Okay."

Rhinaman, the former technology director of the Steubenville School District, is charged with tampering with evidence in the rape case. After a lengthy exchange with the judge about why his new attorney wasn't present, his hearing was rescheduled.

Judge Cosgrove: "Why couldn't he make it here today, just out of curiosity? Something more important to do?"

Rhinaman: "No ma'am. My understanding is the paperwork was not finished."

Meantime, his daughter, Hannah, was arraigned on theft charges.

She's accused of stealing equipment from Steubenville schools and selling the property. Her case is not directly tied to the rape case, but evidence in her case was uncovered during the broader investigation.

Both are scheduled to be back in court in December.

RELATED LINKS
School Administrator Arraigned In Connection With Steubenville Rape Case (10/9/13)
More Steubenville News
More Reports by Harold Hayes