Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court Administrative Judge John J. Russo appointed a Special Master to assist in the investigation of the death of Tanisha Anderson.
On Feb. 17, according to court documents, the court granted Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Timothy J. McGinty's motion for the appointment of Mike DeWine, Ohio Attorney General, and any assistant attorney general in his office that he deems necessary, as Special Prosecuting Attorney in the Tanisha Anderson investigation.
On March 22, the court granted the State's motion for a Special Master, filed by the Special Prosecutor. In the court's order it was noted that the Special Master would be appointed by a separate journal entry.
The court appointed retired Judge Thomas J. Pokorny as its Special Master to review the investigation. Pokorny will then provide materials to the court for an in camera inspection. During the inspection, the court can ask Pokorny questions. Also during this time, the Special Master will have no contact with the Ohio Attorney General's Office or the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor's Office.
Investigation files will then be sent to Common Pleas Court Administrator Gregory M. Popovich, who will have the items sent to Special Master Judge Thomas J. Pokorny.
By April 18, the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor's Office and the Cuyahoga County Sheriff's Department were ordered to tell the court of any other agencies that need to review the investigation file.
Pokorny's review will then be sent to the court for its in camera inspection.
The court said Pokorny will be paid for his services at the same rate as a Visiting Judge in Ohio.
