James Burdon, Akron criminal defense attorney has defended more notorious cases in the Northeast Ohio area than any other defense attorney.  He has tried over one hundred thirty cases to juries and represented over twenty manslaughter defendants.

• State v. Richard Haught, a youth baseball coach charged in a death arising out of a post-game dispute, acquitted by a jury of the homicide (2006).

• State v. Jacob Carlson, charged with murder in the shooting death of his brother-in-law, an Akron Police Detective. Dismissed (2006).

• State v. Molly Wagner, an Akron University student indicted for Aggravated Vehicular Homicide in the death of her passenger. Following successful efforts to suppress evidence of blood test results and the granting of probation, a local newspaper reported that “first time in recent history that anyone convicted in Summit County of aggravated vehicular homicide received probation” rather than 2-8 years.

• State v. Knippenberg, indicted for the murder of his wife, state reduced the charges to involuntary manslaughter, in the face of “battered spouse syndrome” defense, and placed the client on probation (2005).

• State v. Paul Stanley, state dismissed capital murder indictment of parents charged with the arson of their home to kill with purpose their 13 month old son (2003).

• State v. Davis Corsi, state dismissed indictment of daycare operator indicted for voyeurism of the children in his care (2003).

• State v. Steven Boszik, broadcast by Court TV (2002).

• State v. Joseph M. Platt, Platt was accused in the shooting death of Michael Swartz (1997)

• State v. Frank Stams, a pro football player, was accused of driving under the influence and possession of marijuana. The drug charges were dropped. (1996)

• State v. Portage County Prosecutor, David Norris, accused of cocaine possession. (1994)

• State v. Robert Krutz, the former CEO of Robinson Memorial Hospital, accused of misspending $14,900 in hospital funds for personal opportunities. Krutz was acquitted of all 41 counts of theft. (1990)

• State v. Karen Grubb, believed to be the first successful defense of a murder defendant, in the State of Ohio, where the jury acquitted on "battered wife syndrome." (1990)

• State v. Edwin R. “Pete” Ritchey, a Kent state University pharmacist,  accused of filing a prescription that was not written by a physician. Ritchey was acquitted. (1989)

• State v. Ed Swiger, a Temple University law student, charged with the murder of Roger "Butch" Pratt. (1989)

• State v. Lucille Stanley, the wife of a Kent State University police officer, accused of murdering her husband’s lover, Charlene Renee Guiterrez. Stanley was acquitted.  (1989)

• State v. John Boston, 46 Ohio St.3d 108 (1989), limited the right of the state to present expert testimony regarding the truthfulness of an alleged child sexual abuse victim.

• State v. B. Carl Conley, an Akron lawyer charged with three counts of rape was acquitted.  (1986)

• State v. Robert Buell, 22 Ohio St.3d 124 (1986), approved the introduction of expert testimony on the reliability of eyewitness identifications.

• State v. Judge James Barbuto, covered by National Television News Magazine 20-20 (1980).

• State v. Frank Sperrow, acquitted of capital murder charge that he killed an Akron Police Officer (1974).

• State v. Josie McCowin, acquitted an employee of the Summit County Clerk of Courts accused of taking money. (1974)

• State v. Larry L. Favors, accused in the aggravated murder and shooting death of Timothy J. Murphy, a former roommate of Favors’ in Kent. When Favors’ body was found, he had been beaten and shot eight times. Favors was found innocent of the crime. (1974)

• State v. Patrick Conley, an Akron Police Officer acquitted of first degree manslaughter. James L. Fears had died while in a County Jail cell, after being struck by Conley, while Fears was intoxicated. Conley was found innocent. (1972)

Representing Clients Across Ohio

Akron criminal defense attorney, James Burdon, has been successfully representing individuals charged with criminal offenses for the past thirty years. Although based in Akron, Ohio, Mr. Burdon represents clients in the municipal, state and federal courts throughout Ohio, including Summit, Stark, Portage, Cuyahoga, Wayne, Mahoning, Carroll, Guernsey, Columbiana, Lake, and Franklin counties.

The Delaware Building :: 137 S. Main St., Ste 201 :: Akron, Ohio 44308

Telephone (330) 253-7171 :: Fax (330) 253-7174