Meteorologist Steve Raleigh returns to the air, according to WCPO

WCPO weatherman Steve Raleigh did not break the law during an altercation in the parking lot of the Montgomery Inn boathouse in June, according to a special prosecutor investigating the case.

Mark Tekulve said in a news release that there is no evidence that Raleigh violated the law, but he will present additional evidence regarding other individuals to a Hamilton County grand jury in the coming weeks.

Tekulve, the Clermont County district attorney, was appointed special prosecutor in the case in July. Raleigh's father-in-law is Simon Leis Jr., who has close ties to the Hamilton County Republican Party, of which District Attorney Melissa Powers is a member.

Powers turned the case over to a special prosecutor amid allegations of political nepotism circulating on social media.

In a statement Tuesday, Tekulve said his office is working with Cincinnati police in the investigation. He said his attorneys have interviewed all relevant parties and witnesses and reviewed videos, photos and other evidence.

“It has been determined that no charges can be brought against Mr. Steve Raleigh as there is no evidence that he violated any criminal law,” Tekulve wrote. “Accordingly, the investigation against Mr. Steve Raleigh is closed.”

Tekulve said his office will release more information after it presents evidence to a grand jury about other people involved in the incident.

What Raleigh says

Raleigh released a statement on Tuesday through his employer WCPO:

“I was informed of the special prosecutors' decision today. I am grateful for the confirmation of my involvement. I want to thank my family, friends, colleagues and viewers for their patience and support. I look forward to returning to work soon. I have missed serving the people of this great city. Since this now goes to a Hamilton County Grand Jury, I will refrain from further comment at this time.”

Jeff Brogan, vice president and general manager of WCPO, said Raleigh will soon return to the station as chief meteorologist.

“The official findings regarding Steve's involvement announced today are consistent with what he told us about the incident from the beginning,” Brogan wrote. “Our responsibility as Steve's employer was to await investigators' final determination of his role in the incident. Our responsibility as a news organization was and is to report the incident fairly and impartially.”

What happened

On June 22, Doug and Lois Morrow were struck down in the parking lot of the Montgomery Inn Boathouse while an altercation raged around them. Doug Morrow is 79 and his wife is 76.

The Morrows, along with an attorney, publicly presented their side of the story. They said they were at the restaurant to pick up their son, who was employed there, when their vehicle was struck, and a Raleigh family member was the driver.

The couple said the argument turned physical when they insisted on calling police. They said Raleigh's relative attacked their son and then them.

The end of the altercation was captured on cell phone video, showing Doug and Lois Morrow lying in the parking lot.

Speculation began when police documents confirmed that the brawl involved the family of WCPO's Raleigh weather anchor, who has been off the air since the news broke.

Since Tekulve received the order at the end of July, little has happened in this case.

Last week, Cincinnati police said the investigation was ongoing and officers continued to work with Tekulve's office.

In Ohio and most other states, grand jury sessions are held behind closed doors. While the results of the hearings are available to the public, the public cannot attend and the attorneys involved are largely prohibited from discussing what happened during the hearings.

After a prosecutor presents possible charges to a grand jury, the jury members can decide whether to indict or ignore the charges. Jury decisions are made public daily.

Konrad Kircher, an attorney for the Morrows, said the trial was proceeding as expected and Tekulve's decision was fair.

Kircher said his clients never accused Steve Raleigh of doing anything criminal and that it was his relative who committed the violent attacks. He added that Raleigh may still be held civilly liable for some of his actions.

Meteorologist Steve Raleigh returns to the air, according to WCPO

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