Trial continued on rape charge

BUCYRUS — David Chatman of Crestline was back in Crawford County Common Pleas Court on Tuesday for a hearing to continue his upcoming trial.

Chatman, 31, was scheduled to stand trial starting March 12. He is charged with one count of rape, a first-degree felony. Because the victim was five years old at the time of the rape, Chatman faces a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Attorney Carlos Crawford of Columbus is representing Chatman. Crawford asked the court for a delay in the start of the trial so he could locate an expert to testify regarding false confessions. Carlos noted that the prosecution would allege that Chatman had confessed to the crime on three separate occasions.

“Because of the severity of this case, I feel it’s necessary to explore all options and seek clarification from an expert,” Crawford said.

Common Pleas Court Judge Sean Leuthold decided to err on the side of caution and allow the time.

“I’m going to give you the time to locate an expert but there have to be some deadlines,” Leuthold said. “I believe it is the right and fair thing considering the seriousness of this charge.”

Leuthold set a hearing for April 6. He told Crawford he expected a name and fee schedule at that time.

“The state may want to challenge the expert. I want this whole process to take no longer than 60 days,” Leuthold said. “Because life without parole is possible, I find that this is not an unreasonable request.”

In other court action, Kensie Brown, 29, of Galion was indicted on one count of possession of methamphetamines, a fifth-degree felony punishable with up to one year in prison. Leuthold entered a not guilty plea for Brown and appointed attorney Edwin Bibler to represent her. Bond was set at $50,000.

Michelle Webb, 41, of Bucyrus pleaded guilty to two counts of possession of drugs, each a fifth-degree felony and each punishable with up to one year in prison. In a plea negotiation, Webb will serve eight months in prison on count one and six months on count two for a total of 14 months in prison.