By Kathy Laird
CCN Correspondent

BUCYRUS — Adam Stone of the Stone Law Firm reached out to Crawford County Now to share his thoughts on the sentencing of Matthew Kunzer.

Stone initiated the investigation into threats made against law enforcement, judges and prosecutors. Employees of the Stone Law Firm also were threatened by Kunzer. That investigation resulted in 19 charges, with 15 of those charges being felonies.

Kunzer, who previously was represented by Stone, made threats against the individuals in the presence of Stone’s employees, who reported the incident to Stone.

“Attorney-client privilege is essential to our justice system, but there are exceptions when it can be broken,” Stone said. “I felt the need to protect the prosecuting attorney and the judges. As a result, an investigation ensued, and indictments were handed down.”

Stone has a long history with Kunzer and said much of it is just about a friendship. Stone has known Kunzer since the sixth grade.

“I saw the good part of Matt,” Stone said. “I saw the kid that came into the office for help with a business plan. I saw the kid who went to rehab and clawed his way back.”

Neither Stone nor his firm was notified about the date and time of sentencing.

“The State of Ohio does not consider us as victims, but tell that to my staff, including my own mother, my assistant, my paralegal and her kids,” Stone said. “The State of Ohio didn’t care.”

Stone feels the six-year sentence was appropriate and said he hopes his friend Matt understands that he had to do what he did.

“I had to protect both judges and prosecutors because I respect them,” Stone said. “They have mentored me throughout my career and in good conscience I could not ignore these threats made to them.”

Stone serves on the Mental Health Committee of the National Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys.

“We are focused on addressing mental health issues through the court process, especially for veterans. Matt fit into that category,” Stone said. “This, for me, is about mental health. Matt wants to die. I don’t think he would kill anyone but might want them to kill him. He needs treatment for mental illness. Six years is plenty for my friend if he gets the help he needs. He can come out a man and not a monster.”

“I hope, if Matt reads this, he knows I’m sorry that I had to do it. I love him. We all hated to testify but we had to,” Stone added.

Stone said the sentence speaks volumes about the courts taking care of their own.

“My employees, who I employ, the state didn’t care about,” Stone said.

He noted that after the hearing, he and his staff expressed their condolences to Kunzer’s mother.

“This is a kid that grew up here,” Stone said. “His mom has been there for me. He was a corrections officer. He has roots in this community.”