With multiple corruption cases still winding through the courts, we’ve received several questions about what happened at hearings scheduled for January 15 — particularly in the case involving Bryan Davis and his wife Lori Davis.
Here’s where things stand right now.
Bryan and Lori Davis: Pre-Trial Held, But No Public Update
A pre-trial hearing for Bryan and Lori Davis was scheduled for January 15 at 11:30 a.m. in Scioto County Common Pleas Court.
Both the Portsmouth Daily Times and WCHS formally requested permission to attend the hearing.
However:
- On January 9, Davis’s attorney filed a waiver of the right to a speedy trial
- As of now, the court docket has not been updated
- No written ruling, summary, or follow-up hearing has been posted
- No new court dates have been scheduled for the Davises
In short: the pre-trial was on the calendar, but there is no public record yet showing what, if anything, occurred in open court.
That lack of an update is not unusual in complex felony cases, especially when procedural matters are handled quietly or filings are still pending.
What the Speedy Trial Waiver Means
The waiver filed by Davis’s attorney means the defense agreed not to enforce Ohio’s speedy trial deadlines.
That typically signals one of three things:
- Ongoing negotiations
- Extensive discovery and evidence review
- Or a longer, more complicated pre-trial process ahead
It does not indicate guilt or innocence — but it does mean the case may move more slowly.
Robert Horton Case: Still in Holding Pattern
Meanwhile, the corruption case involving former economic development director Robert Horton and his wife continues to inch forward.
- Horton and his wife are scheduled for a telephone status conference on February 12
- Their jury trial has already been delayed multiple times
- The court has previously allowed extended continuances and remote appearances
At this point, no trial date is set, and the next status conference will determine whether the case moves forward — or is delayed again.
The Big Picture
Both cases remain active, but neither is moving quickly.
- The Davis case is in a pre-trial phase with no recent public rulings
- The Horton case remains stuck in procedural status conferences
- Meanwhile, Scioto County leaders are still dealing with the fallout — including restructuring economic development efforts while key figures remain tied up in court
As always, court records — not rumors — will determine what happens next.
We’ll continue tracking both dockets and will update readers as soon as new filings, rulings, or hearing dates appear.