Special Prosecutor Steps in On Raleigh-Morrow Family Assault Investigation

A special prosecutor has been assigned to investigate the alleged attack of an elderly couple following a traffic crash involving members of a high-profile Cincinnati family.

Steve Raleigh, who is widely known as WCPO's chief meteorologist, has stepped away from his spotlight as one of Cincinnati's most recognizable weather-casters and into scrutiny for his alleged role in the now-viral incident.

What happened?

It all started on June 22, when 28-year-old Carter Raleigh, Steve Raleigh’s son and the grandson of former Hamilton County sheriff and attorney Simon L. Leis, Jr., was driving his grandfather’s black Cadillac Escalade through the Montgomery Inn Boathouse parking lot on Riverside Drive.

According to a heavily-redacted incident report from the Cincinnati Police Department, Carter Raleigh was involved in a crash in the restaurant’s parking lot with 79-year-old Douglas Morrow. Douglas Morrow’s wife, 76-year-old Lois Morrow, was in the passenger seat. The Morrow family alleges that Carter Raleigh failed to yield to traffic before hitting their Ford F-150 pickup truck, got out of his grandfather’s Escalade, and began arguing with the Morrows.

That’s when the Morrows and their attorney , Konrad Kircher of Maineville-based Kircher Law, say Steve Raleigh emerged from the direction of the restaurant and asked the Morrows not to call the police.

“Steve Raleigh should have allowed the police to come and take a report,” Kircher told CityBeat . “He insisted that the police not be called. He got agitated when he learned police were coming and then that incited [his son] to resort to violence.”

The police report does not provide specific details about the alleged assault, but CPD officer Shawn Newman summarized witness testimonies in the report, saying, “suspect approached victim #1 striking him with a closed fist in the head knocking him to the ground causing listed injuries. Victim #2 and victim #3 while attempting to aid victim #1 was struck and shoved down to the ground by the suspect causing listed injuries.” The report also said “the offender” was suspected of using drugs or alcohol.

Morrow-Stickrod posted a video depicting the aftermath of the alleged assault on July 10, quickly amassing thousands of views. That same day, Steve Raleigh’s social media pages quickly disappeared and he was absent from WCPO’s 5 p.m. newscast. He hasn't returned to air since. Raleigh has not spoken publicly about the incident, but his employer has come out in support of the legacy weatherman and the investigation process.

Weeks go by with no arrests

More than a month after the incident, no arrests have been made and no charges have been brought against anyone involved. Investigators initially told members of the Morrow family that results would come sometime last week, but then nothing happened.

Stacie Morrow-Stickrod, the daughter of the elderly couple, took to Facebook on July 23 to express her concerns with the investigation’s progress.

“NONE OF THIS SITS RIGHT WITH ME!” Morrow-Stickrod said in the post. “Does the fact that these people are locally famous and have someone with high status involved that held the title of judge, attorney, sheriff play a role in things sitting still, I say more than likely!”

Additionally, Morrow-Stickrod shared that her mother, Lois Morrow, was told on July 19 that she was showing signs of dementia as a result of the alleged attack. Studies have shown that head injuries can increase the risk of dementia or worsen existing dementia.

Powers steps down from the case

According to a July 31 announcement from Powers' office, Clermont County Prosecutor Mark Tekulve has been appointed to investigate the incident.

"It is important that the public have confidence in equal application of the law," Powers said in her statement. "No duty is more important for a Prosecutor. With this appointment, the public can be assured that justice in this matter will be administrated fairly and impartially."

Former State Rep. Connie Pillich and Democratic candidate for Hamilton County Prosecutor told CityBeat that while she trusts the police to investigate thoroughly, Powers’ previous silence on the case had an “appearance of impropriety.”

“In law, in my opinion, we should avoid [appearing improper],” Pillich said. “I think the rules of our profession teach us to avoid that, judges try to avoid that, lawyers should try to avoid that, no matter who they're representing in the case.”

Merlyn Shiverdecker of Carr & Shiverdecker, who is representing the Raleigh family, has supported Powers’ campaign financially over the past two years.

Shiverdecker contributed $5,000 in two separate donations to her campaign committee, Powers for Prosecutor, on April 10, 2023 and June 14, 2023, according to Powers’ 2023 semiannual campaign finance reports .

Additionally, Shiverdecker appears on a list of contributors on Powers’ host committee for a reception in support of Powers on June 4, 2024. Shiverdecker is listed on the document as an “Advocate,” a term indicating that he donated $1,000 to Powers’ committee.

Shiverdecker did not respond to CityBeat 's request for comment by press time, but Kircher told CityBeat that Powers' stepping down is an "appropriate move."

“We didn't request [that Powers step down], but, I can understand why the prosecutor of Hamilton County would want to avoid an appearance of impropriety. So, you know, we welcome the decision,” Kircher said.

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