Staff report
news@wbcowqel.com
The Crawford County Prosecutor’s Office responded to the press release issued by defense attorney Adam Stone Monday.
Inquiries came into the Prosecutor’s Office after Stone announced he would be filing a motion to dismiss charges of kidnapping and murder against Frederick Saunders Jr., who was accused of killing his father. Stone stated in his release that he intended to file the same motion on behalf of Frederick Saunders Jr.’s wife, Marla Saunders, who is charged as a co-defendant in the case.
In the filing, Stone claimed the defense would be unable to present a complete argument due to the fact that the County Prosecutor’s Office failed to preserve the body of Frederick Saunders Sr. Stone argued in his motion that the inability to get a third, independent ruling on the cause of death prevents a fair trial. The body was cremated at the request of the family upon release from the Lucas County Coroner’s Office.
County prosecutor Matthew Crall argued on Tuesday, however, that the Ohio rules for professional conduct that governs prosecutors and defense attorneys prohibits lawyers from making statements that would have the ability to prejudice a case.
The entirety of the press release can be seen below.
The County Prosecutor’s Office has received several inquiries regarding the press release where Attorney Stone accuses the County Prosecutor of destroying evidence in the Murder and Kidnapping cases involving the death of Frederick Saunders in September of 2015. Ohio Rule 3.6 of Professional Conduct governs both prosecutors and defense attorneys. It prohibits lawyers from making any statement that will have a substantial likelihood of materially prejudicing a case. Therefore, the County Prosecutor will not be making a statement on this matter. I do, however, look forward to vigorously defending the credibility of the Galion Police Department and the County Prosecutor’s Office, both of which have conducted themselves with the honor and integrity that our community expects.
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