“This is an area of the prosecutor’s office that most assistant prosecutors do not want to be any part of,” he said. “They bless the fact that there is an assistant prosecutor that not only is willing to take on these tough cases, but does it with the relish and ability and talent that Jennifer brings to the table.”
Since most of his assistant prosecutors have young children — McElfresh has a 9-year-old son — Gmoser said the cases are too emotional and hit too close to home. McElfresh said she always wanted to be a prosecutor, and fighting for children is very important to her.
“Children have the smallest voice,” she said. “It’s very rewarding to be able to help that voice be heard and to protect those in our society that are the most vulnerable.”
The University of Cincinnati Law School graduate has been a prosecutor for 14 years and chief of the Child Assault Division for almost two years. She handles not only sexual assault cases but recently successfully prosecuted a shaken baby murder case.
Probably her most notable recent win was in the Mario Lopez-Cruz — Butler County’s former “most wanted” fugitive — rape case. Cruz was found guilty in February of raping a 9-year-old Hamilton girl on Father’s Day in 2005. He was sent to prison for life, with parole eligibility after 30 years.
During that trial, McElfresh gently coaxed the now 15-year-old girl to tell the horrific details of that day.
Defense attorney Lawrence Hawkins squared off against McElfresh on Cruz and many other cases. He said she is one of the most professional, prepared and best trial attorneys around.
“She’s one of those people that you become a better trial lawyer by trying cases against her, because you’ve got to really put on your “A” game and be very well prepared,” he said. “You know she’s going to be on top of everything.”
McElfresh said she was “humbled” by the award.
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