By Gary Ogle
gogle@wbcowqel.com
Thursday morning’s hearing in Crawford County Municipal Court was short, but it began what will be a long process for accused murderer Donald Hoffman and the family members of four victims.
Crawford County Prosecutor Matt Crall asked for a minimum of $2.5 million bond. Judge Sean Leuthold took the amount even higher.
“This bond is set to protect the citizens of Crawford County,” Leuthold said. “This is the highest bond this court has ever set.”
Leuthold set Hoffman’s bond at $10 million, $2.5 million on each of four counts of first-degree felony aggravated murder. The bond is cash or surety with no 10-percent provision.
Hoffman is accused in the deaths of four Bucyrus men whose bodies were found Monday and Tuesday. They are 55-year-old Billy Jack Chatman of 1038 Fremont St.; 68-year-old Freelin Hensley of Marion Road; 65-year-old Darrell Lewis of Bucyrus Plaza, and Jerry Smith who lived with Hoffman at 218 W. Mansfield St.
Crawford County Coroner Dr. Michael Johnson also released information as to the official cause of death for each victim. Johnson said in a press release that Smith and Hensley died of strangulation and blunt force injuries to the head; Lewis died of ligature strangulation and Chatman died of blunt force injuries to the head.
Hoffman’s hearing before Leuthold was via video conference. Hoffman remained at the Crawford County Justice Center where he has been held since Tuesday after going to the Bucyrus Police Department. His statement to police led them to the bodies of Lewis and Smith. Chatman and Hensley were found within 30 minutes of each other on Monday afternoon.
The Municipal Court’s quarters were completely filled with media and family members of the victims who filed in quietly prior to the proceedings. Leuthold told them he was aware of and appreciated the high emotions, but warned them against any outburst during the proceedings.
Leuthold immediately informed Hoffman that no plea would be made at Thursday’s hearing. The judge limited the hearing to a reading of the charges and penalties which include the possibility of the death penalty or life imprisonment on each count of aggravated murder, bond and the matter of an attorney.
Leuthold appointed Richland County attorney Rolf Whitney to represent Hoffman.
Crall outlined Hoffman’s criminal history which is primarily in Marion County, although he is on community control in Crawford County. Hoffman was convicted of burglary and theft in Marion County.
In addition there were charges of menacing, domestic violence and assault in Marion County. He was sentenced to 10 months in prison after pleading guilty to passing bad checks in Crawford County.
He has a wide variety of traffic offenses in both counties as well including vehicle control and vehicle trespass stemming from two separate incidents in Crawford County.
Crall said he would present the case to the Crawford County Grand Jury as soon as next week.
Bucyrus Police Chief Dave Koepke would not speculate as to motive, citing an open investigation. Koepke said the decision to proceed with all four charges now was for the benefit of the families and because there was enough evidence to proceed.
“We had to debate about that,” Koepke said. “We could have asked for more time and proceeded with one case. We had enough to go forward and I thought it was important for the families to do this.”
That decision means four separate crime scenes have had to be processed and investigated. Koepke has turned to the Ohio State Highway Patrol for assistance, as well as the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Criminal Investigations. He cited the work of all those agencies.
Asked if Hoffman appeared under the influence, Koepke said, “He seemed of sane mind when talking. But look at his criminal history. It’s pretty consistent, every one or two years a new charge.”
Authorities and prosecutors have stated the window of the crimes as being sometime between Aug. 25 and Sept. 2. They hope the completed autopsy reports will narrow that down.
Koepke said household items were used in the attacks on the victims.
Following the hearing, Hensely’s youngest child, Donna Hardymon spoke with reporters and asked them to stay away from the family’s homes as well as the funeral of her father.
“Do not be at our funeral for our dad. Out of respect we feel it’s an invasion. We are there to honor our dad for fighting and to know he was a loving, caring person,” Hardymon said. “He is a good man. He did not deserve this at all. Our family is hurt. We are lost. I want to tell you, please don’t be at our funeral. Respect us, don’t invade us.”
Hardymon did express her appreciation of community support and invited those who knew her father to ride their motorcycles at his procession in his honor.
Lee Lewis, brother of Darrell Lewis, said he simply could not comprehend how or why a person would go through town killing people. Another brother, Mike, also spoke and said he was in favor of the death penalty.
“There’s no reason to waste taxpayer money,” Mike Lewis said. “I see no reason to let him sit in prison for 20 to 25 years. Take him to the death penalty and kill him.”