SportsUSA TODAYObituariesE-EditionLegals Paul Comstock ThisWeek America's justice system hinges on a legal defense that advocates for the rights of the accused, and Delaware County's first public defender said he is the man for the job. “As our county has grown, it has become apparent that the next step in transitioning is to create a public-defender office,” commissioner Gary Merrell said at the time. Commissioners said the step was taken in part to mitigate billings of about $1.06 million paid for the defense in 2,973 cases in 2019. Cornely, a 1993 Olentangy High School graduate, previously served three years as deputy director in the Office of the Ohio Public Defender. He also was director of Ross County’s public-defender office and was an assistant public defender in Athens County.