MARION—The Ohio Board of Professional Conduct has issued its recommendation concerning the future of former Marion Judge Jason D. Warner.
A panel of three board members who do not serve in the same jurisdiction as Warner heard testimony from Warner and his wife via video conference because they are both incarcerated.
Warner and his wife were convicted of felonies that included complicity in leaving the scene of an accident and complicity to tamper with evidence.
The conviction was a result of an automobile accident that left the victim trapped in his car. The victim also suffered serious injuries. The Warners lost their attempts at appeal. Recently, Jason Warner was denied transitional control.
Warner continued to assert his innocence saying his wife was solely responsible for the accident and cover-up. He claimed he was merely a drunk passenger.
The panel concluded, in part:
“based on clear and convincing evidence, Warner admitted that he left the victim for dead with no idea whether anyone would respond to the accident. Photos taken at the accident scene show severe damage to the victim’s vehicle with the front slammed into a utility pole. Warner got out of his vehicle, walked over, and called out to the victim. When he received no response, he got back in his damaged Jeep and headed home. At no time did Warner make any effort to contact emergency authorities and assist the victim or even to report the incident. Warner knew based on his training and experience, it was wrong to leave the scene of an accident, and to remove from the scene of the accident the vehicle involved.”
While the Ohio Supreme Court must decide the final decision on whether or Warner will ever practice law again, the Ohio Board of Professional Conduct has deterred he should have his law license suspended indefinitely.
Crawford County Now will continue to cover this case.