Harrison Hills Official Arraigned
By BRIANNA SADLER
POSTED: December 19, 2007
CADIZ — Following the issuance of a secret indictment handed down by a Harrison County Grand Jury on Dec. 6, James Drexler, superintendent of the Harrison Hills City School District, was arraigned Tuesday in common pleas court.
Drexler is facing a misdemeanor charge of obstructing official business. The alleged crime happened during the first week of October when the Harrison Hills Teachers Association was involved in a strike. During the strike, four reports of picketing teachers injured were filed and one substitute’s teaching credentials were found to be falsified after having taught at Harrison Junior High for four days.
A plea of innocent was entered by defense attorney Donald Malarcik on Drexler’s behalf, and a gag order was put in place by Judge Michael Nunner.
‘‘Even though the charge is a misdemeanor, the state of Ohio and Mr. Drexler have the right to a jury trial in this case, and given the high emotion in the county due to the recent school strike, we will preserve a jury pool that will not be tainted by the media,’’ Nunner said.
Because Drexler has no prior record, prosecuting attorney Shawn Hervey was in compliance with the judge’s issuance of a personal recognizance bond; should Drexler fail to appear at future court dates, a warrant for his arrest will be issued.
If convicted, Drexler could face 90 days in jail and a fine of $750.
Other Tuesday arraignments included:
? Steven Fittro, 20, 86279 Baker’s Ridge Road, Jewett, Ohio, pleaded innocent to one count of second-degree felonious assault. He allegedly attacked a 15-year-old male with a baseball bat at a bus station on East College Street in Scio in November. Fittro was released on a recognizance bond. He also is being charged with unlawful sexual conduct with a minor where he faces six to 18 months in jail if convicted.
? Randall S. Bowers, 42, 1110 E. Market St., Cadiz, Ohio, pleaded innocent to one count of fourth-degree driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Bowers was arraigned last week; the purpose of his appearance in court Tuesday was to ask the judge to reconsider issuing bail. Because Bowers has been convicted on three similar charges prior to the one he currently faces, a bond of $100,000 was issued in this case. If convicted, Bowers faces six to 18 months in jail and a fine of $5,000.
? Clyde C. Luyster, Jr., 63, 49241 Cadiz Harrisville Road, Cadiz, Ohio, pleaded innocent to one count of fourth-degree unlawful sexual conduct with a minor. His $20,000 bond was continued, but the court set another bond in the same amount and restricted Luyster to the following conditions: he must not leave the state without consent of the court; he must continue to reside a current address; he must not have any contact with the victim or the victim’s immediate family; he must appear before all hearings set by court; and he must not consume or possess alcohol or illegal drugs. If convicted, he faces one to five years in jail and a fine of up to $10,000.
