Bond set at $10 million for quadruple murder suspect
BUCYRUS – Donald W. Hoffman, 41, remains in the Crawford County Justice Center on $10 million bond after an initial appearance before Judge Sean Leuthold this morning.
He was charged with four counts of aggravated murder, all first-degree felonies. Bond was set at $2.5 million on each count, which was the recommended amount of Crawford County Prosecutor Matt Crall.
"This bond is set, first and foremost, to protect the public," Leuthold said.
The victims are Bill Jack Chatman, 55, 1308 Fremont St.; Freelin Hensley, 68, Marion Road; Darrell E. Lewis, 65, Bucyrus Plaza; and Jerry Smith, 65, 218 W. Mansfield St.
The bodies of Chatman and Hensley were found on Monday; the other two a day later.
The small courtroom on the first floor was packed with media and family members.grand
Lee Smith, brother of Jerry Smith, said his brother was choked and beaten.
"There is a place for people like him (Hoffman). It's called hell," Smith said after the hearing.
Hoffman likely will be bound over to the grand jury next week. He faces, if convicted, life imprisonment or the death penalty.
Smith said he favors the latter.
"There's no reason to waste taxpayer money," Smith said. "Don't let him sit in prison for 20 to 25 years. Take him to the death penalty and kill him."
Police Chief David Koepke said this morning that Ohio Highway Patrol investigators have arrived to help process information at the crime scenes.
"We still don't have a motive. We have help from the state patrol because of four simultaneous homicides to investigate," Koepke said.
Koepke confirmed that all four victims were beaten.
"All were different, but the weapons were household in nature," he said.
Bucyrus police, Crawford County Sheriff's deputies and BCI inspectors combed four crime scenes from Monday evening until 8:30 p.m. Tuesday looking for evidence.
Hoffman lived in Marion before coming to Bucyrus. He was on 4 years of community control from a burglary in Marion and another 4 years of community control from a theft there in 2009, according to court records.
He was also sentenced to 10 months in prison for passing bad checks in a 2010 case in Crawford County.
He also has an extensive record of traffic offenses in Marion Municipal Court, including open container violation, speeding, driving left of center and expired plates.
The murder charges contend that Hoffman committed the crimes "with prior calculation and design," according to Prosecutor Matt Crall.
The window of the crimes is Aug. 25-Sept. 2.
Leuthold appointed Mansfield attorney Rolf Whitney to represent Hoffman.
Donna Hardymon, daughter of Hensley, spoke with the media after the proceedings, asking for privacy.
"We have asked you to leave our home. Do not be at our funeral for our dad, out of respect," Hardymon said.
"He was a loving and caring person, not to just his children, but to everyone and anyone," she said.
Crall listed Hoffman's prior convictions, including those in Marion and Crawford counties, including the two second-degree felony burglary charges.
Lee Smith said he couldn't understand how anyone could have committed these crimes.
"Killing people for what appears to be a little bit of money. It more than likely has to do with crimes," Smith said.
Koepke said when questioned Hoffman "seemed of sound mind. But look at his consistent criminal history. Every one to two years, it's a new charge of a different nature."
The 72-hour turnaround from finding the first body to the initial hearing is something Koepke said the public deserves.
"We could have asked for more time or done them one at a time. But we're proceeding with all four. It's important for the families to know that once we had enough evidence to charge him they did," Koepke said.
Koepke said he would speak with Crawford County Coroner Dr. Michael Johnson today, but autopsy reports are pending. Bodies are sent to the Lucas County Coroner to perform autopsies.
"We are creating an accurate timeline," Koepke said.
Hardymon said her family is hurt and needs time to heal.
"My dad was a welder, a mechanic, a wheeler-dealer. I'm honoring my father with his last ride at his resting place," Hardymon said.
She said her father was a skilled mechanic who could fix anything.
"He loved motorcycles. On the ride to his resting place, we are asking the community, friends and family, anyone who knows him or wants to give condolence to my dad, to ride him home," Hardymon said.
Hoffman's Facebook page, last updated Aug. 26, reveals he is an Ohio State University fan and lists Marion as his hometown.
He joined the social network site April 6. His last post includes the following: "Livin stress free again, know my best friend doin great with her life!!"
A community prayer gathering is set for 1 p.m. today at Bucyrus City Hall to pray for victims' families and the city.
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