COLUMBUS -A police official said the lead homicide detective was taken off the case of an arson that killed five college students to take a fresh look at the 13-month-old investigation.
Deputy Chief Antone Lanata said Wednesday that Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O'Brien had no role in his decision to replace Mike McCann.
Some of the victims' parents, who have built a strong rapport with McCann, have expressed concern that his criticisms of O'Brien prompted the reassignment.
This case is 13 months old
it's time for someone else to take a look at this Lanata said. Ron O'Brien did not request play a part in or make a suggestion to remove Mike McCann.
He said he assigned the case to detectives with the cold-case squad.
McCann and O'Brien have clashed over the handling of the case since last August, when the prosecutor freed a man police suspect torched the rooming house near Ohio State University.
The April 13, 2003, fire killed Ohio University students Andrea Dennis, Christine Wilson and Erin DeMarco along with Ohio State students Kyle Raulin and Alan Schlessman.
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