By Krystal Smalley
ksmalley@wbcowqel.com
The first of the three defendants charged in the death of Frederick Saunders, Sr. pleaded guilty in Crawford County Common Pleas Court Monday afternoon.
Carla Willoughby, twin sister to Marla Saunders and sister-in-law to Frederick Saunders, Jr., pleaded guilty to tampering with evidence and obstructing justice, both third-degree felonies. As part of her plea agreement, the state has agreed to dismiss the two most serious charges of complicity to commit aggravated murder and kidnapping.
County prosecutor Matthew Crall said neither police nor his office would have ever known about the questionable death of Saunders Sr. without the help of Willoughby.
“If she never came forth with this matter, the state would never have known about this case,” Crall said.
In fact, Willoughby was the one who notified the police that a body at a funeral home was involved in foul play. Crall stated that, though Willoughby could have been more forthcoming at the start of the investigation, she had been very cooperative with the state as the investigation continued.
“We determined Carla Willoughby did not participate directly in the events that led to the death of Frederick Saunders, Sr.,” Crall told Judge Sean Leuthold. He also confirmed that Willoughby was not involved in the kidnapping of the 68-year-old Galion man.
Crall recommended a five-year community control sentence with the stipulation that Willoughby provide testimony if the cases against her sister and brother-in-law go to trial. She will also be fined $1,000.
Leuthold ordered a pre-sentence investigation to be completed before he sentenced Willoughby or dismissed the complicity to commit aggravated murder and kidnapping charges. He ordered her to have no contact with her co-defendants and released her on a personal recognizance bond.
RELATED CONTENT: Homicide defendant’s twin now charged in death of Galion man | Homicide defendant sent home from jail for medical reasons | Husband and wife face murder charges, bonds set at $5M, $2.5M | Saunders’ bond set at $5 million for aggravated murder charge | Charges to be filed this week in Galion homicide | Death ruled homicide, suspect in custody