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Thread: Donald W. Hoffman Pleads Guilty and is Sentenced to Life for 2014 OH Quadruple Slaying

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    Donald W. Hoffman Pleads Guilty and is Sentenced to Life for 2014 OH Quadruple Slaying






    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.

    http://www.bucyrustelegraphforum.com...gned/15049995/

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    Prosecutor to seek death penalty for Bucyrus man accused of killing 4

    By Lori Kurtzman

    The Crawford County prosecutor said he’ll seek the death penalty against a Bucyrus man accused of murdering four acquaintances in their homes.

    A Crawford County grand jury returned a 21-count indictment yesterday against Donald Hoffman, 41. Hoffman is charged with eight counts of aggravated murder, four counts of aggravated robbery, four counts of kidnapping, four counts of felonious assault and one count of abuse of a corpse.

    Two of the victims — Freelin Hensley, 67, and Billy Jack Chatman, 55 — were discovered dead in their homes on Sept. 1. Hoffman showed up at the Bucyrus police station on Sept. 2 and led authorities to two more victims: Darrell E. Lewis and Hoffman’s roommate, Jerald Smith, both 65.

    Preliminary autopsy reports showed that the men had been beaten or strangled, or both. Hoffman was ordered jailed in lieu of a $10 million bond.

    In a news release, Crawford County Prosecutor Matthew Crall said the nature and the seriousness of the charges, plus the wishes of the victims’ families, “leaves little other choice” than to seek the death penalty.

    http://www.dispatch.com/content/stor...h-penalty.html
    "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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    Before slayings, victim had called ambulance for man now charged in 4 slayings in Ohio city

    COLUMBUS, Ohio – Police records show one of four men found slain at their homes in a small Ohio city had sought help two days earlier for the man now charged in the killings.

    Billy Jack Chatman told Bucyrus (byoo-SY'-rus) police two days before he was found dead that he had called an ambulance for Donald Hoffman against Hoffman's wishes after the man collapsed on his floor.

    Records obtained by The Associated Press through a public records request show Hoffman had entered Chatman's house Aug. 30 bloody and reeking of alcohol, the apparent victim of an assault.

    The bodies of Chatman and another man were found Sept. 1. Two other bodies were found the next day.

    Hoffman has been indicted on charges including aggravated murder and robbery. His arraignment is scheduled for Monday.

    http://www.foxnews.com/us/2014/09/14...in-4-slayings/
    "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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    Ohio man pleads not guilty to four murders

    By CRIMESIDER STAFF CBS/AP

    BUCYRUS, Ohio - A man has pleaded not guilty to aggravated murder, robbery and other charges in the deaths of four men at their homes in a small Ohio city.

    Donald Hoffman, 41, is charged on 21 counts for the slayings in Bucyrus
    discovered earlier this month. Some counts include specifications for a potential death penalty. CBS affiliate WBNS reports other charges include four counts of aggravated robbery, four counts of kidnapping, four counts of felonious assault and one count of abuse of a corpse.

    Two men were discovered dead Sept. 1. Two others were found the following day after police say Hoffman approached officers with information.

    The station identified the victims as Billy Jack Chatman, Feelin Hensley, Darrell E. Lewis and Gerald Lee Smith. Any relationship between the victims and the suspect is unclear.

    A coroner determined the men were beaten, strangled or both.

    They ranged in age from 55 to 67. Friends and relatives say at least some of the men knew one another and Hoffman.

    The suspect wore an orange jail uniform and handcuffs Monday in Crawford County court. He's held on $10 million bond. His attorney declined to comment.

    http://www.cbsnews.com/news/ohio-man...-four-murders/
    "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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    Trial date set for multiple murder suspect

    BUCYRUS – Multiple murder suspect Donald Hoffman will stand trial Nov. 17, pending completion of psychological evaluations.

    Crawford County Common Pleas Judge Russell Wiseman said the court is awaiting the findings from evaluations being completed on Hoffman.

    "It is doubtful they will be back by then," Wiseman said during a mitigation hearing for Hoffman on Monday morning. If that is the case, the trial will be rescheduled.

    Wiseman has set aside time for a five-day jury trial.

    Hoffman, 41, was indicted on 21 charges, including eight counts of aggravated murder, in connection with the deaths of Billjack Chatman, Jerald Smith, Freelin Hensley and Darrell E. Lewis. The indictment includes two counts of aggravated murder per victim.

    The bodies were discovered Sept. 1 and 2.

    Dressed in an orange jump suit and shackled, Hoffman sat between his attorneys, father-and -son legal team Robert and Rolf Whitney.

    Wiseman gave his approval for a mitigation specialist to work for the defense. According to American Bar Association guidelines, a mitigation specialist is a mandatory part of the defense in any capital case to explore sensitive information from the defendant that the defendant may not otherwise disclose.

    Hoffman could face the death penalty if convicted.

    Wiseman also set a deadline date of Oct. 16 for jury questionnaires to be turned in to the court by both the defense and prosecution, Oct. 31 as the discovery deadline and Nov. 7 as the filing deadline for evidentiary matters.

    Eight of the victims' family members were in the courtroom for the quick hearing, including Mike Lewis, brother of Darrell Lewis.

    "I will be in court for all of his (Hoffman) hearings because I want to know what's going on. I don't want to hear things on the street, I want to hear it myself," Mike Lewis said.

    http://www.bucyrustelegraphforum.com...pect/16810879/

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    Trial delayed in 4 slayings within small Ohio city

    A judge has agreed to postpone the trial of a defendant charged with killing four men found at their homes in the small, north-central Ohio city of Bucyrus (byoo-SY'-rus).

    Forty-one-year-old Donald Hoffman's potential death penalty case was scheduled for trial Monday in Crawford County. The court clerk's office says the judge on Thursday rescheduled the trial for Jan. 20.

    Hoffman has pleaded not guilty on 21 counts, including aggravated murder and robbery.

    In court filings, his attorneys asked for more time to prepare for trial, saying the charges are serious, there's lots of evidence to review and they're still awaiting reports from defense experts.

    A coroner determined four men found dead in early September were beaten, strangled or both. Friends and relatives said at least some of them knew Hoffman.

    http://www.timesleaderonline.com/pag...sap=1&nav=5019
    An uninformed opponent is a dangerous opponent.

    "Y'all be makin shit up" ~ Markeith Loyd

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    Hoffman expected to change plea

    Accused multiple-murder suspect Donald Hoffman will appear in Crawford County Common Pleas Court on Wednesday morning for a change-of-plea hearing.

    Hoffman, 41, pleaded not guilty last year to the aggravated murder of four Bucyrus residents at the beginning of September – Billjack Chapman, Gerald Smith, Freelin Hensley and Darrell E. Lewis.

    Hoffman is facing the death penalty in connection with the homicides, including two counts of aggravated murder per victim, one for taking the life of the person and the other for doing so in commission of another felony, in this case aggravated robbery.

    The grand jury also indicted Hoffman on four counts of aggravated robbery and four counts of kidnapping, all first-degree felonies, and four counts of felonious assault, which are second-degree felonies. Hoffman also is charged with fifth-degree felony abuse of a corpse in regards to Smith.

    As part of a plea deal, however, all charges except the aggravated murder counts would be dropped, with the death penalty also dropped in exchange for a plea of guilty to the aggravated murder counts. Hoffman would face four consecutive life sentences instead, according to Crawford County Prosecutor Matthew Crall.

    "I've talked with all the family members. We even had some people fly in. I think the biggest issue is a plea allows closure. It severely limits any appeals. I think most of the victims' families remember the Kevin Keith case, and I think they know what those family members went through," Crall said.

    Keith was convicted of killing three people at Bucyrus Estates in 1994, and was sentenced to death, which was commuted to life in prison by then-Gov. Ted Strickland in 2010.

    "There are still appeals on that, I received something just the other day where Keith had filed another appeal and was quickly denied. The state attorney general's office handles a lot of that. There are always people in prison filing appeals, but when you have a death penalty case there are a lot more appellate rights," Crall said.

    "The victims' families – like most people their opinions on the death penalty are varied. Those were all things we took into consideration. It was very important they were allowed input on that."

    Hoffman is being defended by attorneys Robert and Rolf Whitney, of Mansfield. His jury trial had been scheduled to begin Jan. 20 under Judge Russell B. Wiseman.

    Hoffman's hearing is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. Wednesday in Common Pleas Court, with members of the victims' families expected to make statements.

    http://www.bucyrustelegraphforum.com...sday/21651479/
    An uninformed opponent is a dangerous opponent.

    "Y'all be makin shit up" ~ Markeith Loyd

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    Ohio man pleads guilty, sentenced to life in 4 slayings

    BUCYRUS (AP) — A man who fatally beat or strangled four other men inside their homes in this small Ohio city pleaded guilty Wednesday under an agreement with prosecutors and will spend the rest of his life in prison.

    Donald Hoffman’s plea change came days before he was scheduled to go on trial in a case that could have resulted in the death penalty.

    Hoffman, 41, had been indicted on 21 counts. He pleaded guilty to aggravated murder charges under the deal, in exchange for prosecutors dropping other counts against him.

    Hoffman declined to address court. The judge who handed down the sentence told him “this community bids you goodbye.”

    Ahead of the hearing, Crawford County Prosecutor Matthew Crall told the Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum the plea agreement would allow closure for the victims’ families and restrict the potential appeals in the case.

    A coroner determined the slain men were beaten, strangled or both. Friends and relatives said at least some of the men knew each other and Hoffman.

    Two bodies were found Sept. 1. Two more were discovered the next day after Hoffman approached police with information.

    One of the victims, Billy Jack Chatman, 55, had called for an ambulance days earlier after Hoffman entered his home and collapsed on the floor, bloody and smelling of alcohol after an apparent assault, according to police records.

    The other victims were identified as Freelin Hensley, 67; and Darrell Lewis, 65; and Gerald Lee Smith, 65, who sometimes spelled his first name Jerald.

    Investigators had been reluctant to publicly discuss potential motives for the slayings. It was an unusually violent series of crimes in Bucyrus, a city of roughly 12,000 people where the prevalence of drug problems is no secret.

    http://www.news-herald.com/general-n...-in-4-slayings
    "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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