By Gary Ogle
gogle@wbcowqel.com
The wheels of justice haven’t ground to a halt in the case against the husband and wife who stand accused of killing his father. But they have slowed.
A motion hearing was held Thursday in Crawford County Common Pleas Court in the combined cases of Frederick Saunders Jr. and his wife Marla Saunders. Both are 37. Frederick Saunders Jr. is charged with aggravated murder in the death of his father, Frederick Saunders Sr., kidnapping and tampering with evidence. Marla Saunders is charged with complicity, kidnapping and tampering with evidence.
Judge Sean Leuthold said more than once during the hearing that although he likes to move cases along as quickly as possible, it was important that all i’s be dotted and t’s crossed.
“The law mandates we take time to make sure everything is done correctly,” the judge said. “I want to make sure everything is done right here.”
The judge set another hearing date for 9:30 a.m., June 13. At that time he expects to deal with and make rulings on defense motions to dismiss charges as a result of Crawford County Prosecutor Matthew Crall releasing the body for cremation after an autopsy; a 702 hearing in which witnesses are deemed whether or not they possess the experience necessary to be considered experts; and a motion as to whether all evidence has been turned over to the defense as required.
Leuthold said at that time he expects to relax a gag order he imposed on both attorneys- Crall and defense attorney Adam Stone. But the judge said he anticipates requiring any statements made to the media to be done in writing and first approved by him. Leuthold cited ethics guidelines for attorneys as the reason behind his position.
The judge also said Stone had indicated during discussions in chambers he will file an additional motion requesting that Crall and the County Prosecutor’s Office be disqualified from prosecuting the case. The judge told Stone to file that motion in a matter of days so he can rule on that motion as well at the June 13 hearing.
Leuthold said he will allow fees of up to $8,000 for Dr. John Fabian as an expert witness as to competency and whether Frederick Saunders Jr. might qualify to enter a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity. Fabian’s report is also due to the court by June 13.
As such, Leuthold told the attorneys and both defendants that the dates of July 11 for the trial of Frederick Saunders Jr. and July 25 for the trial of Marla Saunders would be vacated in the interest of fairness. Those trials will be rescheduled for some time in the fall.
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