Monsignor Jerome Schmidt Street Naming and 1980 Murder Investigation

The nephew of victim Sister Margaret Ann Paul asked the board to recommend removing Monsignor Schmidt's street signs, citing sworn trial testimony that Schmidt and police officials halted the 1980 murder investigation.

General counsel for the Diocese of Toledo argued that no new evidence has been presented, no wrongdoing by Monsignor Schmidt was ever proven, and individuals have a right to legal counsel and a good name.

The son of former Deputy Chief Ray Vetter defended his father and Monsignor Schmidt, stating that Schmidt was called in to help try to secure a confession and that police lacked sufficient evidence to arrest the suspect at the time.

A retired local Catholic priest spoke about past diocesan cover-ups and urged the board to take statements from diocese officials with a grain of salt.

Representing the Survivors Network of those abused by priests, she argued that trial testimony from police officers detailing the shutdown of the investigation is documented fact rather than supposition.