Athens County Sheriff Pat Kelly returned to the Athens County Common Pleas Court last Friday for a pretrial hearing and a hearing for contempt to address the sheriff’s failure to produce a list of subpoenaed documents.
Visiting Judge Patricia Ann Cosgrove on Feb. 28 required the sheriff comply with the subpoena — which sought a list of confidential informants and some records regarding firearms, among other things — after a long-standing battle by 4 p.m. Friday.
Dan Tierney, a spokesman for Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine’s office, said Kelly did produce the documents by the requested time Friday; therefore, the order of contempt will be vacated per Cosgrove’s orders.
Cuyahoga County Assistant Prosecutor Allan Regas, who is representing the sheriff’s office, said more than 40,000 documents were scanned in regard to the subpoena.
Kelly, 63, pleaded not guilty to his 25-count indictment Feb. 10. His personal attorney, Bradley Koffel, of Columbus, said during the trial that he will remain on the case.
However, he was unable to provide further comment after Cosgrove prohibited both parties from discussing specific case information in the interest of providing an impartial jury.
Kelly is due back in court for a final pretrial Aug. 29 and for a jury trial Sept. 29, both of which will take place at 9 a.m. in the Athens County Common Pleas Court. Cosgrove also plans to hold two minor pretrials until then to check the status of Kelly’s case. Potential exhibits and witnesses for the case must be submitted to the court no later than Aug. 1.
About 10 students protested outside the courthouse Friday, most of whom were involved in the Ohio University College Republicans. The protesters argued that the panel of judges should have enough evidence to suspend the sheriff.
“One felony is one thing, but 23 felonies is just a distraction,” said Colton Henson, a senior studying political science and history.
Dylan Gustafson, president of OU College Republicans and a senior studying finance, said he believes there is “no credibility” in the sheriff’s office at this point.
“I can’t say if I can predict (whether Kelly will be suspended),” he said. “But I would hope so.”
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