BUCYRUS— A Bucyrus man who faces murder charges appeared in Crawford County Common Pleas Court on Wednesday.
Brian Russell Jr., 28, of Bucyrus, is charged with the first-degree murder of Brian Cole in April.
According to allegations, the Bucyrus Police Department received a call to do a welfare check on Cole.
Police did a welfare check and did not receive an answer at the door and left the home. The next day Russell himself and two other callers requested another welfare check. Officers responded, and when there was no answer at the door, they forced their way into the residence and found Cole deceased from an obvious assault. Russell and his girlfriend were staying in the residence at the time.
According to Crawford County Prosecutor Matt Crall, the preliminary autopsy report from the Toledo Medical Examiner offered early findings. Crall estimated that Cole suffered at least 16 blows.
Crall told the court Cole had suffered blunt force trauma to the head and 16 grip fractures. The cause of death was ruled a homicide due to blunt force trauma to Cole’s head.
Crawford County Common Pleas Court Judge Sean Leuthold held a hearing after receiving the results of a competency exam performed by a District V Forensic Psychologist. Russell appeared in court with Ed Bibler, an attorney with the Spitzer Law Firm of Marion. Russell’s lead counsel is attorney Joel Spitzer.
Judge Leuthold gave the state and defense copies of the in-depth evaluation but put the conclusion on the record. Leuthold said that Russell is able to assist in his defense and is competent to stand trial for murder.
Judge Leuthold ordered a trial date be set. Russell remains in custody at the Crawford County Jail on a one million dollar bond.