Family of Sarah Widmer says ‘justice has been served’

@@facebook=

@@

LEBANON — The family of Sarah Widmer, the slain Warren County woman whose husband’s three murder trials captivated the region, spoke out Friday for the first time in more than two years.

“On behalf of my mother and our family we are relieved that the trial is behind us and that justice has been served for Sarah,” said Mike Steward, in a statement issued through the Warren County Prosecutor’s office. “Nothing we do will bring her back to us, but we feel we can now move on with our lives like Sarah would have wanted.”

Sarah Widmer, 24, a graduate of Edgewood High School, was drowned in her Hamilton Twp. home by husband, Ryan Widmer, in August 2008. Widmer was convicted of murder on Tuesday in his third trial. His first two ended in mistrials.

Mike Steward thanked the prosecutor’s office and the victim’s advocate division for their diligence and hard work in the three trials. He said the family would not make any more statements and requested privacy from the media.

Initially, following Sarah’s death, the Steward family, particularly mother Ruth Ann Steward, were supportive of Widmer and expressed belief in his innocence. By the first trial in 2009, the family had done an about-face. Ruth Ann Steward testified at all three trials for the prosecution.

In the third trial, Ruth Ann Steward said Ryan and Sarah were often nasty towards one another and that on one occasion she had to ask them to quit their bickering.

Ryan Widmer has maintained his innocence, even after the verdict was handed down, saying that he loved Sarah and would never have harmed her. He is serving 15 years to life in prison. An appeal on his behalf is expected to be filed, his defense attorneys said this week.

Staff Writer Denise Callahan contributed to this story