Kraus seeks new trial in Ottawa County

PORT CLINTON — Steve Kraus wants his 2015 theft conviction tossed out. Kraus, a former state representative for the 89th House District, was convicted of felony theft in July 2015 and subsequently removed from office. He recently filed a petition in Ottawa County Common Pleas Court to review his case for a possible new trial. Kraus was accused of stealing items from the home of Danbury Township resident Helen Stines in April 2014. Stines put her home up for sale and reportedly needed Kraus to appraise her property. A neighbor claimed he witnessed Kraus take items from the home. Kraus went on to defeat incumbent Chris Redfern in the 89th House District race in November 2014. He was indicted for the Danbury Township incident soon thereafter. A jury found Kraus guilty of theft in July 2015 following a lengthy trial.Kraus appealed his case to the Ohio Sixth District Court of Appeals. The court denied his appeal by upholding the original court's decision. With few options left, Kraus turned to Ottawa County with his request for a new trial, or the reversal of his original felony theft conviction.Kraus arguesKraus made his case throughout his 86-page filing in Ottawa County Common Pleas Court. Among Kraus' claims:• He was selectively and vindictively prosecuted in violation of his 14th Amendment right to due process• He was a victim of irregular court proceedings• Hs trial attorney was ineffective• Special prosecutor Tim Braun and visiting Judge Dale Crawford failed to take oaths of office during the case• The jury was biased• Redfern interjected himself into Kraus' trial "I want to be exonerated because I'm innocent," Kraus told the Register. "I'm trying to shine a light on the corruption that occurred during the fiasco of my trial."Politics?Kraus alleged his former opponent and former Ottawa County prosecutor Mark Mulligan meddled with his case. "Redfern was colluding with the prosecutor's office to make sure my case got 'handled,'" Kraus said.Kraus claimed Mulligan kept the allegations against him a secret for months after receiving it from Danbury police. Kraus contends Mulligan planned to use it as an "October surprise" against him in his race against Redfern."In the beginning, this was all about getting me indicted prior to the election," Kraus said. "They then moved on to trying to get me to step down from office. They eventually pulled out all of the stops to get me convicted so I would lose my seat." Reach reporter Patrick Pfanner at pfanner@sanduskyregister.com, follow him on Twitter @PatPfanner and follow the Register at Facebook.com/SanduskyRegisterSteve Kraus