By Gary Ogle
gogle@wbcowqel.com
A Galion woman charged in the death of her father-in-law was sent home from the county jail Wednesday over concerns for her health and that of her unborn twins.
Thirty-six-year-old Marla Saunders was in Common Pleas Court Wednesday after spending most of Tuesday in Marion General Hospital with complications in her pregnancy. Marla Saunders is 34 weeks pregnant and expecting twins. Hers is considered a high-risk pregnancy.
Marla Saunders is currently charged with the unclassified felony of complicity to commit aggravated murder, kidnapping, tampering with evidence and obstruction of justice in the death of her father-in-law, Fred Saunders Sr.
Her co-defendant is her husband, Fred Saunders Jr.
In another development, Marla Saunders’ twin sister, Carla Willoughby, was taken into custody Tuesday and is scheduled to be arraigned Thursday on charges in connection with the case.
Marla Saunders was arraigned on Monday when Judge Sean Leuthold set bond at $2.5 million. However, on Wednesday, the judge granted a medical furlough from incarceration in light of the risk and complications related to her pregnancy.
Citing a need to balance the guarantee of Marla Saunders to appear in court as required regarding the serious charges she is facing and the health risk for the defendant and her unborn children, Leuthold said, “I’m going to err on the side protecting the health of those unborn children.”
The judge set several strict conditions for the furlough. The $2.5 million bond on Marla Saunders remains in place while she is on furlough. She will be equipped with an ankle bracelet containing a GPS unit. That unit will be monitored by court staff, the Crawford County Prosecutor’s Office, and the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office.
Marla Saunders will be confined to her house at 401 S. Union St. She may not leave the house itself for any reason other than to receive medical treatment. That treatment is to be limited to the cities of Galion, Marion and Columbus unless it is determined the medical care she or the unborn children require is better available elsewhere. In that case, she must contact the court prior to leaving.
The Galion Police Department will be periodically checking the Saunders’ house to ensure she is following the guidelines of her furlough. Marla Saunders must make her medical records accessible to the court, Prosecutor’s Office and Sheriff’s Office. She is not to have contact with either Fred Saunders Jr. or Carla Willoughby while she is out on medical furlough.
Finally, once the children have been born and her health is stable, she will be returned to the Crawford County Justice Center.
Prior to the medical furlough being granted, a hearing regarding motions made by defense attorney Adam Stone who currently represents both Fred Saunders Jr. and Marla Saunders. Leuthold said he is reserving a ruling on a motion by the defense regarding expert witnesses.
The motion garnering the most attention was one by the defense to consolidate the cases for the defendants into a single trial. Stone’s primary argument was that according to statute the prosecution, if it opposes the motion would have to argue that consolidating the case would result in prejudice against the defendants’ best interest and a violation of their constitutional rights.
However, Stone pointed out in his verbal argument that his clients had already waived their rights to constitutional protection regarding consolidation.
Judge Leuthold again reserved judgment to allow County Prosecutor Matt Crall to review Stone’s written motion and submit a brief in rebuttal if he so chooses. The judge also said he wanted to give the attorney for a third co-defendant the opportunity to join in the motion for consolidation.
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