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Thompson complains of harassment at county jail

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by Andrew Schunk

Twinsburg Bulletin Editor

Akron -- An emotional Ashford Thompson appeared before Summit County Court of Common Pleas Judge Elinore Marsh Stormer Jan. 27 for a routine hearing and told the judge that he has been harassed by staff at Summit County Jail.

Appearing with attorneys John Greven and Kerry O'Brien, Thompson, 25, who has pleaded not guilty to aggravated murder in the July 2008 shooting death of Twinsburg Police Officer and Tallmadge resident Joshua Miktarian, also told Stormer he still did not have access to evidence that could be used against him in his jury trial, set to begin May 24.

Stormer told Thompson that the evidence has not changed since preparations for an April 2009 trial -- a trial that did not go forward when Thompson pleaded guilty in the matter. That initial guilty plea was withdrawn in November.

Stormer responded to Thompson's harrassment claims Jan. 27 by suggesting he speak with his attorneys, as the jail is outside of her trial authority.

Gary James, chief of corrections at the Summit County Jail, denied the allegations, adding that Thomspon's behavior in the jail has never been a problem.

"We have a very professional staff," James said. "The accusation is completely false.

"There was one instance in August, 2008 when he lost privileges because of a fight with another inmate. But for the most part he is very quiet."

Lead defense counsel Greven did not return a call for comment, and officials with the Summit County Prosecutor's Office declined comment, in accordance with a gag order issued by Stormer earlier this year.

Greven and O'Brien filed additional motions Jan. 27, and Stormer set a Feb. 24 hearing to rule on all state and defense motions in the case, according to bailiff Shauna Corder.

The judge also set status hearings for March 24 at 10 a.m. and April 28 at 10 a.m., and jury selection is scheduled to begin May 17. A mitigation hearing -- during which Thompson's sentence would be determined if he is found guilty -- has tentatively been set for June 10.

Thompson had pleaded guilty to aggravated murder and other charges April 13, 2009, before a bench trial could begin.

He then withdrew his guilty plea Nov. 10, 2009, according to court officials, and the court deemed Thompson's guilty plea void Dec. 18, sending the case back to square one. An initial not-guilty plea made following his July 25, 2008, arraignment at the county court now stands.

Stormer has said that case law handed down by the Ohio Supreme Court in June 2009 requires court officials to explain post-release control or parole conditions to defendants prior to an arraignment or sentencing, or a plea or sentence can be considered void, Stormer said.

Stormer said Dec. 18 this was not done with Thompson.

Thompson has requested a jury trial this time rather than a bench trial.

He remains in Summit County Jail, charged with two counts of aggravated murder, one count of escape, two counts of resisting arrest, three counts of tampering with evidence and one count of carrying a concealed wagon in connection with the shooting death of 11-year police officer and Tallmadge resident Miktarian.

Police have said Miktarian was shot in the head at least four times just before 2 a.m. in the driveway of Thompson's home, following a traffic stop of Thompson for suspicion of loud music and OVI.

Thompson was arrested less than an hour later at a Bedford Heights residence with a set of Miktarian's handcuffs still attached to one of his wrists.

Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty in the matter.

E-mail: aschunk@recordpub.com

Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3170