Samuel Hochstetler Murder Case

Reference TimelineLast updated APR 11
SUMMARY

The confession of Samuel Hochstetler, accused of murdering Rosanna Kinsinger in March 2025, was ruled admissible in court by a judge on April 11, 2026, in Ohio. As of April 11, 2026: The judge's decision allows the confession to be used as evidence, overturning previous rulings that suppressed it. Defense attorneys argued Hochstetler, due to his Amish background and limited English proficiency, did not fully understand his Miranda rights, a point prosecutors countered by stating he was not in custody during the initial interview. Hochstetler, 18, is charged with aggravated murder, rape, and kidnapping in the death of 28-year-old Rosanna Kinsinger.

Timeline

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April 2026 — 2 developments

  1. The judge in Samuel Hochstetler's murder trial has ruled his confession to police will be admissible in court.

    The judge in Samuel Hochstetler's murder trial has ruled his confession to police will be admissible in court. This decision follows arguments from defense attorneys that Hochstetler, due to his Amish background and limited English proficiency, did not fully understand his Miranda rights. Hochstetler is accused of murdering Rosanna Kinsinger in March 2025.

  2. Prosecutors are urging an Ohio judge to reverse her decision to suppress Samuel Hochstetler's confes…

    Prosecutors are urging an Ohio judge to reverse her decision to suppress Samuel Hochstetler's confession, arguing Miranda warnings were not required as he was not in custody during the police interview. A hearing is scheduled for January 26, 2026, to present arguments for admitting the statements.

January 2026 — 3 developments

  1. Prosecutors are urging an Ohio judge to reconsider her ruling that suppressed incriminating statemen…

    Prosecutors are urging an Ohio judge to reconsider her ruling that suppressed incriminating statements made by Samuel Hochstetler, who is charged with aggravated murder, rape, and kidnapping. Judge Linda R. Warner ruled that statements Hochstetler made to detectives would be inadmissible at trial because he did not understand his rights, as his primary language is Pennsylvania Dutch. A hearing is scheduled to address the prosecution's request.

  2. Prosecutors announce their intention to fight the judge's ruling to exclude Samuel Hochstetler's con…

    Prosecutors announce their intention to fight the judge's ruling to exclude Samuel Hochstetler's confession from evidence, indicating an ongoing legal battle over the admissibility of the confession.

  3. Judge Linda R.

    Judge Linda R. Warner issues a written decision ruling that statements Hochstetler made to detectives are inadmissible at his trial, concluding he did not understand his rights.

October 2025 — 1 developments

  1. A pre-trial hearing is held to consider the defense's motion to suppress Hochstetler's confession, w…

    A pre-trial hearing is held to consider the defense's motion to suppress Hochstetler's confession, with arguments focusing on his Amish upbringing and alleged lack of understanding of his Miranda rights.

July 2025 — 1 developments

  1. Specific trial dates have been set for Samuel Hochstetler, including a pretrial hearing for October …

    Specific trial dates have been set for Samuel Hochstetler, including a pretrial hearing for October 22, a final pretrial hearing for November 25, and a jury trial slated for December 8, all in 2025. The victim of the alleged murder has been identified as 28-year-old Rosanna Kinsinger.

May 2025 — 11 developments

  1. Samuel Hochstetler, 18, made his first court appearance on May 13, 2025, charged with the murder of Rosanna Kinsinger.

    Samuel Hochstetler, 18, made his first court appearance on May 13, 2025, charged with the murder of Rosanna Kinsinger. He waived his right to a preliminary hearing. A judge is currently considering a motion to suppress Hochstetler's confession, with arguments focusing on his Amish background and understanding of Miranda rights.

  2. Samuel Hochstetler, accused of murdering Rosanna Kinsinger, has waived his right to a preliminary hearing.

    Samuel Hochstetler, accused of murdering Rosanna Kinsinger, has waived his right to a preliminary hearing. This procedural move allows the case to advance directly to common pleas court and a grand jury for further proceedings. Kinsinger was found dead in her home on March 13, and authorities are investigating her death as suspicious.

  3. Samuel Hochstetler, 18, is accused of killing 28-year-old Rosanna Kinsinger during sex.

    Samuel Hochstetler, 18, is accused of killing 28-year-old Rosanna Kinsinger during sex. The preliminary hearing for the case, which has garnered national attention and was televised by CourtTV, took place in Pomeroy, Ohio. Authorities began investigating after a suspicious death was reported on March 12, 2025.

  4. Samuel Hochstetler has been charged with the March 12, 2025, murder of Rosanna Kinsinger.

    Samuel Hochstetler has been charged with the March 12, 2025, murder of Rosanna Kinsinger. He appeared in court and waived his right to a preliminary hearing. A bond of $1 million cash was set. The circumstances of the killing involve Kinsinger being found in her home with a goat inside.

  5. Hochstetler appears in court and, with an interpreter present, waives his right to a preliminary hearing, allowing the case to proceed to the Meigs County Common Pleas Court.

    Hochstetler appears in court and, with an interpreter present, waives his right to a preliminary hearing, allowing the case to proceed to the Meigs County Common Pleas Court.

  6. Samuel Hochstetler, 18, was charged with murder, strangulation, rape, and kidnapping in the death of Rosanna Kinsinger.

    Samuel Hochstetler, 18, was charged with murder, strangulation, rape, and kidnapping in the death of Rosanna Kinsinger. He pleaded not guilty to the charges. Kinsinger was found dead on March 13, 2025.

  7. Samuel Hochstetler, an Amish man, was arrested on May 5, 2025, and charged with the murder of Rosanna Kinsinger, whose body was found on March 13, 2025.

    Samuel Hochstetler, an Amish man, was arrested on May 5, 2025, and charged with the murder of Rosanna Kinsinger, whose body was found on March 13, 2025. He reportedly confessed to detectives that he had placed a blanket over her head. Hochstetler waived his right to a preliminary hearing on May 14, 2025, and confirmed he was comfortable proceeding in English during a pre-trial hearing on October 24, 2025.

  8. Samuel Hochstetler has been arrested and charged with the murder of his neighbor, Rosanna Kinsinger.

    Samuel Hochstetler has been arrested and charged with the murder of his neighbor, Rosanna Kinsinger. Hochstetler allegedly confessed to having sex with Kinsinger and then discovering she was dead. Kinsinger was found dead in her home nearly a month prior to the arrest.

  10. Following his interview, 18-year-old Samuel Hochstetler is formally charged with aggravated murder, rape, and kidnapping in connection with Rosanna Kinsinger's death.

    Following his interview, 18-year-old Samuel Hochstetler is formally charged with aggravated murder, rape, and kidnapping in connection with Rosanna Kinsinger's death.

  11. Samuel Hochstetler is taken to the Meigs County Sheriff's Office for questioning, where he allegedly confesses to killing Kinsinger during a sexual encounter.

    Samuel Hochstetler is taken to the Meigs County Sheriff's Office for questioning, where he allegedly confesses to killing Kinsinger during a sexual encounter.

March 2025 — 1 developments

  1. Rosanna Kinsinger, 28, is found dead in her trailer home near Rutland, Ohio, prompting authorities to open a suspicious death investigation.

    Rosanna Kinsinger, 28, is found dead in her trailer home near Rutland, Ohio, prompting authorities to open a suspicious death investigation.