JUDGE THROWS OUT RAPE CASE AFTER PROSECUTOR LATE TO COURT

Norman Allen Craig, 22, is accused of raping a now 16 year old Rocky River girl six years ago.  Common Pleas Judge Eileen Gallagher, a Cuyahooga County judge, threw out the charge against Craig when Assistant County Prosecutor Mark Schneider was 45 minutes late to trial.  Prosecutors have filed an appeal and said, if necessary, they will refile the charge against Craig, of North Ridgeville.  Schneider, earlier that day, had asked the judge to remove herself from the case, saying the judge said last year that she thought the accuser had credibility problems.  Nobody should be rendering opinions from the bench before trial, he said.  A child victim who's being put through the wringer deserves a fair shake at trial.  Gallagher said her decision to throw out the charge had nothing to do with the girl's credibility.

(Cleveland, Ohio)