The appointment Thursday follows a request by Jefferson County Judge Frank Bruzzese for an outside judge because of ongoing local controversy about an alleged cover-up of the initial rape report.

Bruzzese says "nameless bloggers" who made unproven allegations of a cover-up have a strong following that makes appointing a judge from outside Steubenville necessary.

Chief Justice Maureen O'Connor responded by appointing retired Summit County Judge Patricia Ann Cosgrove to handle the grand jury, which meets in April.

Two football players were convicted Sunday of raping the girl after an alcohol-fueled party in August.