Pandering trial postponed to October

BUCYRUS — Joshua Benedict, currently held in the Crawford County Jail, appeared in Crawford County Common Pleas Court on Monday afternoon for a special hearing,

Benedict’s attorney, Adam Stone, filed a motion for an in-chamber review of records. Benedict, 38, is facing 39 counts of pandering sexually oriented material involving a minor. Because of the age of the victim, Benedict could serve life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Common Pleas Court Judge Sean Leuthold allowed the motion and took Stone and assistant prosecutor Ryan Hoovler to review the records. Stone wanted to review personnel files from the Galion Police Department, the Crawford County Sheriff’s Department and Avita Healthcare. Representatives from those agencies were also in the closed-chamber meeting. Benedict remained in the court room.

After returning to the courtroom, Leuthold noted the group had reviewed five or records of every agency involved.

“We were looking at the documentation to see if there were any history or behaviors on the parts those involved that would affect the honesty and integrity of their testimony,” Leuthold said.

Benedict’s trial was slated to begin on August 7, but Leuthold decided to move the trial back to October.

“Mr. Benedict faces life in prison without parole if convicted of all these charges. It is important to the court that this trial is fair,” Leuthold said. “We, at this time, would be dealing with masks and Plexiglas separating the witnesses from the jury. It’s difficult to accurately determine the credibility of a witness when you can see only part of their face. Hearing people speak with a mask on is difficult.”.

Leuthold also expressed concerns about being able to seat a jury without interviewing many potential jurors. The graphic material presented might make some jurors unable to serve. He said he wanted the jurors to be able to focus on the case without fear of becoming sick.

“To a certain degree, Mr. Benedict’s life is at stake. It is important that this trial be fair,” Leuthold said. “In a case of this magnitude we must proceed with caution. The trial will now be held in October.”