By Krystal Smalley
ksmalley@wbcowqel.com
The husband and wife accused in the death of Frederick Saunders, Sr. will be going to trial in July.
Frederick Saunders, Jr. and Marla Saunders, both age 37, appeared in Crawford County Common Pleas Court Wednesday afternoon to address possible conflicts of interest due to joint representation by attorney Adam Stone. The couple separately testified that Stone would be able to adequately and fairly represent them and wished to proceed with him as the lawyer for each of their cases. They both signed disclosures of mutual consent to joint representation.
As Judge Sean Leuthold questioned both Saunders’ on the possible conflicts of interest that could arise in the cases, he confirmed that the husband and wife both declined plea offers from the state that would have reduced or dismissed various charges. In Marla Saunders’ case, the agreement asked for her cooperation to testify against her husband.
Leuthold also denied a motion to consolidate the cases.
The defense is expected to file a number of motions, which Leuthold said both sides will have the ability to do so until April 1. Stone already submitted a motion for expert fees for a forensic psychologist and a pathologist. He noted that he will also be filing a motion to suppress regarding the spoliation of evidence and another one for a hearing on the coroner’s ability to testify.
Frederick Saunders, Jr.’s trial has been scheduled for July 11 – 15. His wife’s trial will follow two weeks later on July 25 – 29.
The husband and wife duo allegedly purposefully caused the death of Saunders’ father, Saunders, Sr., on Sept. 30.
Saudners Sr. was taken to the emergency room of the Galion Community Hospital on the night of the incident. After being pronounced deceased, he was taken to a funeral home where, County Prosecutor Matthew Crall alleged in a Municipal Court hearing in October, the family attempted to have the body cremated “rather quickly.” During that hearing, Crall also presented Judge Shane Leuthold with photos of the body, which documented multiple marks consistent with a physical beating.
Preliminary results from the Lucas County Coroner’s Office indicated that Saunders Sr. died as a result of strangulation and blunt force trauma to the skull.
Frederick Saunders, Jr. and Marla Saunders have been in the county jail since being arrested in early October. The two have both been charged with first-degree felony kidnapping and third-degree felony tampering with evidence. Saunders Jr. is also charged with the unclassified felony of aggravated murder while his wife is charged with complicity to aggravated murder, also an unclassified felony, and third-degree felony obstruction of justice.
The unclassified felonies are punishable by up to 15 years to life in prison while the kidnapping charges carry maximum sentences of 11 years in prison. The third-degree felonies are punishable by up to 36 months in prison.
Marla Saunders’ twin sister, Carla Willoughby, was arrested just weeks after her sister and brother-in-law in the death of Saunders Sr. Though she was charged with an unclassified felony of complicity to commit aggravated murder, kidnapping, tampering with evidence, and obstruction of justice, she pleaded guilty to the two lesser charges on Dec. 21.
Crall noted at that hearing that neither the police nor his office would have ever known about the questionable death of the elder Saunders without the help of Willoughby. His office determined she did not participate directly in the events that led to the death of Saunders Sr. and agreed to dismiss the complicity to commit aggravated murder and kidnapping charges.
RELATED CONTENT: Judge being deliberate before ruling on murder case motions | Homicide defendant’s twin pleads guilty to lesser charges | Homicide defendant’s twin now charged in death of Galion man | 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