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Thread: Aaron M. Dietrich, Sr., Joseph R. Furry and James P. Dinsmore Sentenced in 2014 OH Murder of 54-Year-Old Charles Hicks

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    Aaron M. Dietrich, Sr., Joseph R. Furry and James P. Dinsmore Sentenced in 2014 OH Murder of 54-Year-Old Charles Hicks


    Aaron M. Dietrich, Sr., Joseph R. Furry and James P. Dinsmore


    Three to face death penalty in Uniopolis murder

    WAPAKONETA — Three men were indicted this week in the June slaying of an Uniopolis man beaten to death inside his home.

    All three will face the death penalty, Auglaize County Prosecutor Ed Pierce said Friday.

    Aaron M. Dietrich Sr., 26, of Wapakoneta; Joseph R. Furry, 30, of Van Wert; and James P. Dinsmore, 28, all are charged with two counts of aggravated murder, and one count each of aggravated burglary, kidnapping and intimidation of a witness.

    The arrests come this week, about eight months into a lengthy investigation, Auglaize County Sheriff Al Solomon said.

    “I’m very pleased with these arrests. There is more work that needs to be done,” Solomon said. “This brings hopefully some justice to the victims and the victim’s family.”

    The men are charged in the June 9 death of Charles Hicks, 54, who was found dead in his upstairs apartment at 2 Main St. Deputies were called to the apartment at 4:30 p.m. that day over a deceased man.

    Solomon and Pierce would not discuss a motive or say how the three men became suspects. All three are being held on $5 million bonds.

    The indictments filed this week gives a glimpse into a possible motive. One of the death penalty specifications said Hicks was killed to prevent his testimony as a witness in a criminal case.

    Hicks’ autopsy report said he was beaten to death. It said he had crushing injuries to the front of his neck that led to him suffocating.

    Hicks’ coworkers and friends began looking for him the morning of his death after he failed to show at his job. After leaving once and then returning and entering the apartment through an open door, they spotted blood throughout the apartment, according to the autopsy report.

    They left and called for emergency help. A deputy quickly arrived.

    Hicks’ body was found under a pile of blankets on a bed. The autopsy report said he had been dead for a while based on stages the body goes through after death. The time of death was placed sometime in the 28 hours after 8 p.m. June 7, according to the report.

    Hicks was bound with his wrist behind his back with black duct tape and tape was around his ankles.

    The autopsy report lists numerous injuries associated with a severe beating including facial injuries and broken ribs. He had alcohol in his system.

    The next step is an arraignment in Auglaize County Common Pleas Court. Furry’s arraignment is scheduled for March 2. Arraignments for the others have yet to be scheduled.

    http://www.sidneydailynews.com/news/...iopolis-murder
    "I realize this may sound harsh, but as a father and former lawman, I really don't care if it's by lethal injection, by the electric chair, firing squad, hanging, the guillotine or being fed to the lions."
    - Oklahoma Rep. Mike Christian

    "There are some people who just do not deserve to live,"
    - Rev. Richard Hawke

    “There are lots of extremely smug and self-satisfied people in what would be deemed lower down in society, who also deserve to be pulled up. In a proper free society, you should be allowed to make jokes about absolutely anything.”
    - Rowan Atkinson

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    Not guilty plea entered in death penalty case

    WAPAKONETA — A man facing the death penalty for allegedly beating a man to death inside a Uniopolis apartment pleaded not guilty Monday.

    Joseph Furry, 30, of Van Wert, pleaded not guilty to two counts of aggravated murder and one count each of aggravated burglary, kidnapping and intimidation of a witness.

    Bond was continued at $5 million and a pretrial scheduled for April 6.

    Furry and two other men are facing the death penalty over the June 9 death of Charles Hicks, 54, who was found dead in his apartment at 2 Main St., Uniopolis.

    The indictment said Hicks was killed to prevent his testimony as a witness in a criminal case.

    http://www.limaohio.com/news/news/15...h-penalty-case
    "I realize this may sound harsh, but as a father and former lawman, I really don't care if it's by lethal injection, by the electric chair, firing squad, hanging, the guillotine or being fed to the lions."
    - Oklahoma Rep. Mike Christian

    "There are some people who just do not deserve to live,"
    - Rev. Richard Hawke

    “There are lots of extremely smug and self-satisfied people in what would be deemed lower down in society, who also deserve to be pulled up. In a proper free society, you should be allowed to make jokes about absolutely anything.”
    - Rowan Atkinson

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    Defendant given money to hire experts in death penalty case

    WAPAKONETA — A man facing the death penalty in the June beating death of a Uniopolis man in his house was given up to $19,200 Tuesday to hire experts to help his case.

    James Dinsmore, 28, was approved up to $13,500 to hire a forensic psychologist, $4,200 to hire a mitigation specialist and $1,500 to hire an investigator.

    Dinsmore is charged with two counts of aggravated murder and one count each of aggravated burglary, kidnapping and intimidation of a witness.

    He is charged in the June 9 death of Charles Hicks, 54, who was found dead in his upstairs apartment at 2 Main St. in Uniopolis. Court records suggest a possible motive for the slaying was to prevent Hicks from testifying as a witness in a criminal case.

    During the hearing Tuesday, Assistant Auglaize County Prosecutor Andrew Augsburger said he gave Dinsmore’s attorneys 719 pages of evidence along with a DVD and CD.

    Dinsmore also waived his right to a speedy trial until June 1, 2016. Judge Frederick Pepple of Auglaize County Common Pleas Court also ruled jail personnel and others connected to the state cannot initiate conversations with Dinsmore about the crime to try to elicit information to use in the prosecution.

    Pepple did not rule on a motion for Dinsmore to appear in street clothes rather than jail garb during all proceedings. Dinsmore’s lead attorney, Greg Meyers, said any pictures the media may take, if the media cover any proceedings at all, may be published and viewed by potential jurors. Someone in shackles, handcuffs and jail garb may not look like an innocent person, he said.

    Dinsmore has a case pending in Allen County where he is a charged with attempted murder and two counts of felonious assault. He is accused of stabbing his 27-year-old girlfriend Oct. 4.

    On Monday, Aaron Dietrich, 26, of Wapakoneta, appeared at a pretrial. He also waived his right to a speedy trial. A third man, Joseph Furry, 30, of Van Wert, also is charged. In all three cases, prosecutors were seeking the death penalty.

    http://www.limaohio.com/news/home_to...h-penalty-case

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    Man given more time to prepare for death penalty case

    WAPAKONETA — A man facing the death penalty in the beating death of a Uniopolis man last year waived his right to a speedy trial Monday to give his defense team more time to prepare his case.

    Joseph Furry, 30, of Van Wert, waived his speedy trial rights through March 31. Judge Frederick Pepple of Auglaize County Common Pleas Court told Furry his intent was to hold the trial before that date.

    The judge also gave Furry’s legal team until May 8 to file pretrial motions. Furry’s lead attorney, Bill Kluge, said he has not filed any motions but will start and added it’s not uncommon to file more than 100 motions in a death penalty case.

    Furry is one of three men charged in the June 9 death of Charles Hicks, 54. Hicks was found beaten to death inside his apartment at 2 Main St. in Uniopolis. A possible motive was identified in court records that Hicks was killed to prevent him from testifying as a witness in a criminal case.

    James Dinsmore, 28, and Aaron Dietrich, 26, of Wapakoneta, also are facing the death penalty in connection with Hicks’ death.

    The men are charged with two counts of aggravated murder and one count each of aggravated burglary, kidnapping and intimidation of a witness.

    http://www.limaohio.com/news/home_to...h-penalty-case
    "I realize this may sound harsh, but as a father and former lawman, I really don't care if it's by lethal injection, by the electric chair, firing squad, hanging, the guillotine or being fed to the lions."
    - Oklahoma Rep. Mike Christian

    "There are some people who just do not deserve to live,"
    - Rev. Richard Hawke

    “There are lots of extremely smug and self-satisfied people in what would be deemed lower down in society, who also deserve to be pulled up. In a proper free society, you should be allowed to make jokes about absolutely anything.”
    - Rowan Atkinson

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    Man avoids death penalty with guilty plea

    Sentenced to life in prison

    WAPAKONETA — James Dinsmore, one of three men charged in the death of a Uniopolis man, was sentenced to life in prison Friday following a change of plea.

    Dinsmore, 29, will be eligible for parole after 30 years of imprisonment.

    In front of Auglaize County Common Pleas Judge Frederick Pepple, Dinsmore pleaded guilty to aggravated murder, aggravated burglary and intimidation of a witness. Dinsmore had previously pleaded not guilty to two counts of aggravated murder and one count each of aggravated burglary, kidnapping and intimidation of a witness.

    Dinsmore had been facing the death penalty before changing his plea.

    According to court records, the aggravated burglary and intimidation of a witness charges were merged into the aggravated murder charge for the purpose of sentencing.

    After Friday’s sentencing, Dinsmore was taken to the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction by the Auglaize County Sheriff’s Office. He will remain at the ODRC until he is taken to the appropriate state institution. Court records did not reveal the state institution where Dinsmore will serve out the remainder of his sentence.

    Dinsmore, along with Aaron Dietrich Sr., 27, of Wapakoneta, and Joseph Furry, 30, of Van Wert, were indicted in February following an eight-month investigation by the Auglaize County Sheriff’s Department.

    The men were charged in the death of Charles Hicks, 54, who was found dead in his upstairs apartment at 2 Main St., Uniopolis, on June 9, 2014. Deputies were called to the apartment at 4:30 p.m. that day over a deceased man.

    Hicks’ autopsy report said he was beaten to death. It said he had crushing injuries to the front of his neck that led to him suffocating.

    Court records suggest a possible motive for the slaying was to prevent Hicks from testifying as a witness in a criminal case.

    Dietrich’s next court appearance is set for 8:30 a.m. Aug. 11. Furry will appear in court at 1 p.m. Aug. 27. Hearings for both men will take place in the Auglaize County Common Pleas Court.

    They are charged with two counts of aggravated murder and one count each of aggravated burglary, kidnapping and intimidation of a witness. If convicted, the men could face the death penalty.

    http://limaohio.com/news/147095/man-...th-guilty-plea
    "I realize this may sound harsh, but as a father and former lawman, I really don't care if it's by lethal injection, by the electric chair, firing squad, hanging, the guillotine or being fed to the lions."
    - Oklahoma Rep. Mike Christian

    "There are some people who just do not deserve to live,"
    - Rev. Richard Hawke

    “There are lots of extremely smug and self-satisfied people in what would be deemed lower down in society, who also deserve to be pulled up. In a proper free society, you should be allowed to make jokes about absolutely anything.”
    - Rowan Atkinson

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    Related:

    Man gets 4 years for stabbing girlfriend

    By Greg Sowinski

    LIMA — James Dinsmore blamed a drug addiction for his criminal behavior Thursday that may put him in prison for the rest of his life.

    “My drug addiction, it tore my family apart and made me do terrible things. It made me into a person I did not like,” Dinsmore said before he was sentenced to four years in prison for stabbing his girlfriend at least 10 times.

    Dinsmore, 29, entered a guilty plea to felonious assault in exchange for the dismissal of attempted murder and felonious assault charges. A prosecutor agreed to a four-year sentence.

    The four years will be served on top of a life sentence with the chance for parole after serving 30 years in Auglaize County for the killing of a man.

    In the Allen County case, Dinsmore stabbed his girlfriend in October at least 10 times inside an apartment at 652 1/2 S. West St. Dinsmore’s attorney, Greg Donohue, said she tried to cut his throat during a fight, and he took the knife away. Then it got out of control.

    Assistant Allen County Prosecutor Terri Kohlrieser called it a brutal attack while calling Dinsmore a dangerous man.

    “Before he did stab her, he punched her in the face and knocked out one of her teeth,” Kohlrieser said.

    Last week, Dinsmore pleaded guilty to aggravated murder, aggravated burglary and intimidation of a witness in a case in Auglaize County. He was sentenced to life in prison with the chance for parole after serving 30 years.

    He entered the plea in exchange for the prosecution dropping the death penalty from the possible punishment.

    Dinsmore, Aaron Dietrich Sr., 27, of Wapakoneta, and Joseph Furry, 30, of Van Wert were charged in the June 9, 2014, death of Charles Hicks, 54. Hicks was found dead in his upstairs apartment at 2 Main St., Uniopolis.

    Furry pleaded guilty to aggravated murder Thursday with an agreement with prosecutors to avoid the death penalty. He also pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary and intimidation of a witness. He will be sentenced at a later date to life in prison with some chance for parole.

    Hicks’ autopsy report said he was beaten to death. It said he had crushing injuries to the front of his neck that led to his suffocating. He was killed to prevent him from testifying as a witness in a criminal case, according to court records.

    Dietrich’s case is pending.

    http://limaohio.com/news/147277/man-...ing-girlfriend
    "I realize this may sound harsh, but as a father and former lawman, I really don't care if it's by lethal injection, by the electric chair, firing squad, hanging, the guillotine or being fed to the lions."
    - Oklahoma Rep. Mike Christian

    "There are some people who just do not deserve to live,"
    - Rev. Richard Hawke

    “There are lots of extremely smug and self-satisfied people in what would be deemed lower down in society, who also deserve to be pulled up. In a proper free society, you should be allowed to make jokes about absolutely anything.”
    - Rowan Atkinson

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    Furry avoids death penalty by pleading guilty in Auglaize County death

    By Lance Mihm

    WAPAKONETA — A Van Wert man avoided the death penalty and will now have a chance to be released on parole with a negotiated plea deal in Auglaize County Pleas Court on Thursday.

    Dressed in a red jail jumpsuit with his hands cuffed in front, Joseph Furry was barely audible when he replied “guilty” three times after Auglaize County Common Pleas Court Judge Frederick Pepple read off the charges.

    Furry, 30, of Van Wert, pleaded guilty to aggravated murder without specifications, burglary and intimidation of a witness. Furry had been facing two counts of aggravated murder with specifications and kidnapping along with the intimidation and burglary charges.

    The removal of the specifications part of the charge eliminated the potential of the death penalty and made it possible for Furry to be released on parole after serving 30 years.

    Furry, along with Aaron M. Dietrich Sr., 26, of Wapakoneta, and James P. Dinsmore, 28, all were charged with the same charges after an incident that occurred in 2014.

    Assistant prosecutor Andrew Augsburger said the investigation revealed the three met June 7 to plan a crime. Then at 1 a.m. June 8, they caught Charles Hicks, 54, by surprise in his Uniopolis apartment. Hicks was sleeping on a couch with a rifle because of threats he had been receiving. The trio took the rifle and beat Hicks with it, causing his death.

    Hicks’ autopsy report said he was beaten to death. It said he had crushing injuries to the front of his neck that led to him suffocating.

    The three were trying to prevent Hicks from testifying against Donna Miller, 32, who had been charged with burglary, robbery and theft. The Auglaize County Prosecutor’s Office dropped the charges against Miller with Hicks’ death.

    Furry will testify against Aaron Dietrich, a third co-defendant, in exchange for the deal. Dietrich is accused of being the mastermind behind the death, and evidence suggests that Dietrich sent the other two to intimidate Hicks out of testifying against Miller, who Dietrich was involved with.

    Dietrich is scheduled to appear Aug. 11 for a pretrial hearing. A jury trial has tentatively been scheduled to begin Oct. 26.

    Dinsmore was sentenced to life in prison last week following a change of plea. He will be eligible for parole after 30 years of imprisonment.

    http://limaohio.com/news/147269/furr...e-county-death
    "I realize this may sound harsh, but as a father and former lawman, I really don't care if it's by lethal injection, by the electric chair, firing squad, hanging, the guillotine or being fed to the lions."
    - Oklahoma Rep. Mike Christian

    "There are some people who just do not deserve to live,"
    - Rev. Richard Hawke

    “There are lots of extremely smug and self-satisfied people in what would be deemed lower down in society, who also deserve to be pulled up. In a proper free society, you should be allowed to make jokes about absolutely anything.”
    - Rowan Atkinson

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    Man gets life sentence is Uniopolis murder

    WAPAKONETA — The daughter of a man beaten to death to try to prevent his testimony in a criminal case turned to one of the men responsible Thursday and told him to try to make something of his life.

    “What I want you to do is do something for somebody else. You may have to do it from behind bars but make a difference in someone else’s life,” said Melanie Hicks, the daughter of murder victim Charles Hicks.

    She was speaking to Joseph Furry, the final of three men to be sentenced to life in prison with the chance for parole after serving 30 years for his role in the killing.

    Hicks was beaten to death inside his apartment in Uniopolis on June 9, 2014. He had crushing injuries to the front of his neck that led to suffocating.

    Furry looked at Melanie Hicks as she spoke and nodded his head in acknowledgement when she urged him to help someone. He later apologized to her telling her the events that day spiraled out of control leading to the death of her father.

    “I did try to stop the events,” he said.

    Furry also asked Auglaize County Common Pleas Judge Frederick Pepple to consider giving him less time.

    “I ask for some leniency so maybe I can come home and have some kind of life left,” Furry said.

    Pepple sentenced Hicks to the same term as he gave codefendants James Dinsmore, 29, and Aaron Dietrich Sr., 27. All three pleaded guilty to aggravated murder, aggravated burglary and intimidation of a witness. They were offered a plea deal to avoid the death penalty.

    Kluge told the judge his client was the one who came in to talk to authorities about the killing and help them solve the case.

    “That statement helped them tremendously,” Kluge said.

    Kluge asked Pepple for a chance for parole after 20 or 25 years, rather than 30, for helping authorities with the case.

    http://limaohio.com/news/153970/man-...iopolis-murder

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    Natosha N. Gilbert


    2 women charged in 2014 murder of Uniopolis man

    By Greg Wowinski
    limaohio.com

    WAPAKONETA — A woman has been charged with murder, and another woman pleaded guilty this month to involuntary manslaughter in the 2014 murder of a Uniopolis man.

    Sarah A. McPheron, 26, of Wapakoneta, is scheduled to be sentenced Jan. 4 after pleading guilty this week to involuntary manslaughter. She faces up to 11 years in prison but the prosecution has agreed to recommend probation, according to Auglaize County court records.

    Natosha N. Gilbert, 28, of Lima, is charged with murder, aggravated burglary and intimidation of a witness. She has an arraignment scheduled for Monday where she will enter a plea to the charges. She is being held on a $500,000 bond in the Auglaize County jail, according to court records.

    McPheron is out on bond.

    Both are charged over the death of Charles Hicks, who was beaten to death inside his apartment June 9, 2014. He had crushing injuries to the front of his neck that led to suffocation.

    The announcement of more charges comes after three men were sentenced to life in prison with the chance for parole after serving at least 30 years. All three had faced the death penalty over Hicks’ murder.

    James Dinsmore, 29, Aaron Dietrich Sr., 27, and Joseph Furry, 30, each pleaded guilty to aggravated murder, aggravated burglary and intimidation of a witness.

    The involvement of both women surfaced during the investigation and led to the charges, Sheriff Al Solomon said. He said both women were part of a group that went to Hicks’ home and both knew about the killing.

    “Even if someone did not participate in the actual murder or crime, they can still be charged,” Solomon said.

    Solomon would not comment further on details of the role each woman had citing a pending case but said its important to make sure anyone who played a role is brought to justice for the Hicks family.

    https://limaohio.com/news/155093/2-w...-uniopolis-man
    "I realize this may sound harsh, but as a father and former lawman, I really don't care if it's by lethal injection, by the electric chair, firing squad, hanging, the guillotine or being fed to the lions."
    - Oklahoma Rep. Mike Christian

    "There are some people who just do not deserve to live,"
    - Rev. Richard Hawke

    “There are lots of extremely smug and self-satisfied people in what would be deemed lower down in society, who also deserve to be pulled up. In a proper free society, you should be allowed to make jokes about absolutely anything.”
    - Rowan Atkinson

  10. #10
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    Woman pleads guilty in Uniopolis death

    Charges reduced to involuntary manslaughter

    WAPAKONETA — A woman originally charged with murder in the 2014 killing of a Uniopolis man pleaded guilty Friday to involuntary manslaughter.

    Natosha N. Gilbert, 28, of Lima, will face up to 11 years in prison when she is sentenced in Auglaize County Common Pleas Court. A sentencing date has not been set.

    Gilbert pleaded to the charge connected to the June 9, 2014, beating death of Charles Hicks, who was killed inside his apartment. He had crushing injuries to the front of his neck.

    Gilbert and another woman, Sarah A. McPheron, 26, of Wapakoneta, were part of a group that went to Hicks’ home and both knew he was killed, Sheriff Al Solomon said.

    McPheron also was convicted of involuntary manslaughter. She has yet to be sentenced.

    Three men were convicted of aggravated murder, aggravated burglary and intimidation of a witness over Hicks’ death. James Dinsmore, 29, Aaron Dietrich, 27, and Joseph Furry, 30, each were sentenced to life in prison with the chance for parole after serving 30 years.

    Hicks was killed to prevent him from testifying as a witness in another criminal case.

    https://limaohio.com/news/164843/wom...niopolis-death
    "I realize this may sound harsh, but as a father and former lawman, I really don't care if it's by lethal injection, by the electric chair, firing squad, hanging, the guillotine or being fed to the lions."
    - Oklahoma Rep. Mike Christian

    "There are some people who just do not deserve to live,"
    - Rev. Richard Hawke

    “There are lots of extremely smug and self-satisfied people in what would be deemed lower down in society, who also deserve to be pulled up. In a proper free society, you should be allowed to make jokes about absolutely anything.”
    - Rowan Atkinson

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