BUCYRUS—Timothy Carnes, 42, of Bucyrus, appeared in the Crawford County Common Pleas Court on Monday seeking a reduction or dismissal of his contempt sentence.

Carnes was initially indicted on charges of felonious assault and strangulation, both second-degree felonies carrying a maximum sentence of eight years in prison. He was also charged with aggravated menacing and unlawful restraint, which are first and third-degree misdemeanors.

The victim, who had visible facial injuries and lacerations, reported the assault by her husband to the Bucyrus Police Department on October 7th. She stated that she had been unable to leave her home after the assault.

Carnes pleaded not guilty, and attorney Tom Nicholson was appointed to represent him. Due to the severity of the victim’s injuries and other allegations, Judge Sean Leuthold set bond at $200,000.

After the bond was set, Carnes used an expletive, resulting in a contempt charge from Judge Leuthold. He was given a thirty-day jail sentence. However, Carnes repeated the expletive and was charged with contempt of court again. Leuthold then sentenced him to 60 days in jail and ordered his removal from the proceedings. As Carnes was being escorted out, he used the expletive again, resulting in an increased jail sentence of 90 days to be served consecutively with any other jail time.

Carnes’ attorney, Tom Nicholson, argued in court that his client was angry at being charged but not angry at the court. Nicholson claimed that Carnes was unaware of court procedures. However, Assistant Prosecutor Dan Stanley played a recorded conversation between Carnes and his mother, which took place two days after Carnes’ bond hearing. In the conversation, Carnes can be heard using explicit language towards his mother, Judge Leuthold, his family, and others.

The recording clearly demonstrated that Carnes had no regard for the court and showed no remorse for his actions, according to Stanley. Judge Leuthold emphasized that while individuals have the right to say anything they want outside of court, order must be maintained within the courtroom.

Judge Leüthold assured Carnes that he would receive a fair trial in his court: “I don’t get offended and take it out on defendants. But the bottom line is that you don’t yell and scream and drop the F-bomb to a Judge.” Leuthold said.

Carnes’ motion to suspend or reduce his contempt sentence was ultimately denied by Judge Leuthold.