By Kathy Laird
James Caswell, 63, of Bucyrus appeared in Crawford County Common Pleas Court on Thursday scheduled to plead guilty to three felonies. Caswell was facing more than five years in prison on charges including assault of a police officer, failure to comply and vandalism.
When police finally corralled Caswell, he was combative and seemed to have had no idea of what he had done or who he was, according to reports of the incident.
Paramedics had to administer treatment to Caswell to calm him down.
After reviewing the results of a psychological evaluation, Judge Sean Leuthold agreed to a sentence recommendation of five years on community control and a lifetime suspension of Caswell’s driving privileges.
Leuthold noted the extensive medical conditions Caswell deals with including heart failure, kidney disease, COPD and the effects of the effects of dementia.
“The serious medical issues are mitigating factors,” Leuthold said. “It would be completely inappropriate to put this man in prison.”
Noting that Caswell was a Vietnam veteran suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and that he had no prior criminal record, Leuthold asserted that justice would not be served by putting Caswell in prison.
“We need to keep an eye on him for his own safety and the safety of the public,” Leuthold said.
He advised Caswell of the terms and conditions of his community control.
“You cannot ever drive a car again. You must take your medication and accept the fact that there may be things you do that you do not remember, trust your caregiver and don’t become agitated with those who are trying to help you,” Leuthold advised.
In other court proceedings, Briona Rose, 23, of Bucyrus will spend the next eight months in prison after pleading guilty to a theft charge.
Rose admitted to stealing $100 from the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Rose was prison eligible for the offense following a 2016 drug conviction for drug possession.
After violating her community control in 2016, Rose was sent to prison.
Before imposing the sentence Leuthold had a stern warning for the young woman.
“Look, you’re 23 and heading to prison for a second time,” Leuthold said. “All this is related to drug use. I’m telling you if you keep doing this, I will keep sending you to prison. Get yourself straightened up.”
When asked if she had anything to say, Rose simply told Leuthold, “I’m not making any excuses for my behavior.”