BUCYRUS—Brian Russell JR., 28, of Bucyrus was formally indicted on a first-degree murder charge in Crawford County Common Pleas Court on Monday.

According to the indictment, Russell beat Brian Cole to death in his apartment in April.

Crawford County Common Pleas Court Judge Sean Leuthold asked Prosecutor Matt Crall to detail the charges against Russell.

Crall explained that the Bucyrus Police Department received a call to do a welfare check on Cole. Crall told the court that the police later discovered the caller misidentified himself.

Police did a welfare check and did not receive an answer at the door and left the home.

The next day Russell himself and two other callers requested another welfare check. Officers responded and when there was no answer at the door they forced their way into the residence and found Cole deceased from an obvious assault.

Crall told the court that Russell and his girlfriend were staying in the residence.

During an interview with police Russell’s girlfriend told police she had a loose tooth and Russell blamed Cole and assaulted him. She said despite trying to tell him (Russell) that Cole did not assault her, she could not stop him.

Russell gave police conflicting stories, saying he had blacked out and had no memory. Then he told police he discovered the victim looking at inappropriate photos on his phone and became upset.

Crall had the preliminary autopsy report from the Toledo Medical Examiner and read the early findings.

Crall told the court Cole had suffered blunt force trauma to the head and 16 grip fractures. The cause of death was ruled a homicide due to blunt force trauma to Cole’s head.

“Do we know how many times he was struck?” Leuthold asked.

Crall explained that he did not have the full autopsy report.” The full report may well give us that number but with 16 rib fractures I’d say a conservative estimate of the number of blows to Mr. Cole’s head is twenty.” Crall said.

Russell has retained the Spitzer Law Firm and was represented in court for the arraignment by attorney Ed Bibler.

Judge Leuthold received arguments on bond from the state and defense.

Matt Crall explained to the court that Russell had initially been a mental health concern so he was held without bond. Crall asked for a 1,000,000.00 bond.

Bibler told the court his client is a young man and is a lifetime resident of the community. He told the court he understood the seriousness of the charge but asked for a lower bond.

Judge Sean Leuthold entered a not guilty plea on Russell’s behalf and set the bond at one million dollars.

If convicted, Russell could serve life in prison without the possibility of parole.