By Gary Ogle and Krystal Smalley
gogle@wbcowqel.com; ksmalley@wbcowqel.com
Thursday’s docket for Crawford County Common Pleas Court was full and diverse – ranging from a quadruple murder trial to judicial release. The bulk of the cases were, however, concerning violations of probationary rules.
Acting on a defense motion to delay the murder trial of Donald Hoffman, Judge Russell Wiseman rescheduled that trial for Jan. 20. It was originally set to begin on Monday. It is expected to last five days.
Defense attorneys Robert and Rolf Whitney had asked that due to the complexity and seriousness of the charges that they be given more time to prepare. Hoffman is accused of capital murder in a 21-count indictment that includes multiple counts of aggravated murder in the deaths of Billy Jack Chatman, Jerald Smith, Freelin Hensely and Darrell Lewis. The four Bucyrus men were killed in their homes and their bodies were discovered on Labor Day and the day after.
Three cases scheduled for Thursday were continued. Jamie White is seeking to be placed on the diversion program. Kenneth Lowe’s disposition on a community control violation case was continued because of three other pending felony charges. Marissa Donahue’s community control violation case was also continued.
Jessica Rumer pleaded guilty to drug possession Thursday afternoon. The 32-year-old Bucyrus woman had originally been scheduled to appear in court on a motion to suppress but that motion was withdrawn after an agreement was made on her plea.
Rumer, who admitted to possessing heroin on April 21, was placed on community control for five years and ordered to successfully complete a drug and alcohol assessment and any recommended follow-up treatment. She received a six-month driver’s license suspension and a $1,250 mandatory drug fine. Judge Russell Wiseman also ordered Rumer to forfeit any drug-related property being held by the Bucyrus Police Department.
Jerraca Leslie was charged with violating her community control. Leslie’s community control was extended to the five-year maximum and she was ordered into treatment at CROSSWAEH. Leslie was ordered transported to Richland County where there is a warrant for her arrest issued by Mansfield Municipal Court for failure to appear.
Jimmy Lee Potter’s status in the Intervention in Lieu of Conviction program was revoked. Instead, Potter will have a conviction for fifth-degree felony drug possession. Potter was placed on community control for five years and ordered to continue with outpatient treatment. He was also fined $1,250 and had his driver’s license suspended for six months.
Thirty-two-year-old Matthew Burchett of Galion was in court for an initial hearing on a motion to revoke his intervention in lieu of conviction. Burchett had been placed on intervention in February after entering a guilty plea to drug possession. On Thursday, Burchett denied that he had violated his intervention program and an additional hearing was set.
There were two arraignments Thursday. Jill Lineweaver was charged with fifth-degree felony passing bad checks. The Grand Jury indictment against Lineweaver was actually issued back in 2012. Lineweaver is accused of issuing a check written for $4,500 she allegedly knew would not clear the bank. Lineweaver’s bond was set at $5,000 and Geoffrey Stoll was appointed to represent her.
Forty-two-year-old James Lewis of Bucyrus appeared for an arraignment hearing on a drug possession charge. Attorney Geoffrey Stoll, who had been appointed in Municipal Court, was continued for the case in Common Pleas Court. The $25,000 bond originally set in Municipal Court was also continued in Common Pleas Court. Stoll entered a not guilty plea on Lewis’ behalf.
Two people were granted judicial release Thursday in keeping with their original plea arrangements.
Jordan Ernsberger of Bucyrus was originally convicted of forgery and receiving stolen property. Ernsberger was ordered held at the county jail until he can be placed into the CROSSWAEH treatment program. Ernsberger was also placed on five years of community control.
Dallas Jean Carroll was originally convicted of drug possession and illegal conveyance of weapons and drugs into a detention facility. Carroll was released, placed on five years of community control, and ordered to undergo a drug and alcohol assessment and complete any recommended treatment.