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By Denise G. Callahan, Staff Writer Updated 8:38 AM Thursday, April 23, 2009

After several fits and starts the vigil to support Ryan Widmer is on.

According to the “Free Ryan Widmer” Web site, a candlelight vigil will be held Thursday, April 23, at 8 p.m. at Cincinnati Printers, 9053 Le Saint Drive in Fairfield.

Widmer was recently convicted of killing his wife — Edgewood High School graduate Sarah Widmer — in the bathtub of their Hamilton Twp. home.

Originally the vigil was to be held at Grace Chapel in Mason, but Widmer’s mother Jill Widmer said other events precluded holding the event at her church.

The Web site then said the vigil would be held at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason.

This morning, April 22, Phil Smith, spokesman for the tennis center, said the vigil was on. But by late morning tournament director Bruce Flory said a decision was made not to make the center available for the event.

Jill Widmer said Mike Mayleben, who started the “Free Ryan Widmer” Web site, didn’t even know her family prior to the trial.

“He heard the verdict and said he and his wife were just sick about it and stayed up all night crying,” she said. “He said he just felt he had to do something because of the injustice.”

The vigil is on the eve of a hearing when Warren County Common Pleas Judge Neal Bronson is supposed to hear arguments on whether Widmer deserves to be acquitted or if a new trial is warranted.

Warren County Prosecutor Rachel Hutzel filed several documents in court today refuting Widmer’s attorney’s claims there was juror misconduct during the 22 hours of deliberations earlier this month.

Contact this reporter at (513) 696-4525 or dcallahan@coxohio.com.

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