CLEVELAND — The judge running the Cleveland trial of a man charged with killing 11 women was a fan favorite when he was known as the hard-hitting Browns linebacker "Bam-Bam."
Now 58 with silver-gray hair, Dick Ambrose was part of the last-minute "Kardiac Kids" heroics while playing for the Browns from 1975 to 1983.
Ambrose landed the murder trial against 51-year-old Anthony Sowell (SOH'-wehl) last year, the third judge assigned to the high-profile case.
The emotionally charged trial has an occasional light moment, like the time the father of a victim finished testifying and asked if he could call the judge "Bam-Bam." Ambrose smiled as people chuckled.
Sam Rutigliano, who coached Ambrose with the Browns, said Ambrose was always planning, even for life after football.