Man convicted of vandalism at Middleport Jail, failure to appear

POMEROY, Ohio – Following a one day trial a Middleport man has been found guilty in a case involving vandalism.

Andrew Robinson, 38, of Columbus, Ohio appeared before Judge I. Carson Crow in the Meigs County Court of Common Pleas on Nov. 16, 2017 for a jury trial. He was charged with one count each of Vandalism, a felony of the fifth degree and Failure to Appear, a felony of the fourth degree. The jury found him guilty on both counts.

Robinson was represented by Denise Bunce. The state was represented by Meigs County Prosecuting Attorney James K. Stanley and Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Jeff Adkins.

The one day trial began once jury selection had been completed at 10:52 a.m. Opening statements were made for the state by Prosecutor Stanley. He outlined the case for the jury and was followed with the opening statement from Bunce. Bunce outlined the defense was focusing on the language used in the charge that the holding cell was not “necessary” for the jail to function. She also questioned a lack of evidence concerning whether Robinson had been properly notified of the court appearances in which he was charged with Failure to Appear.

According to testimony, Robinson had been picked up by the Middleport Police Department on a warrant for Mayor’s Court. Robinson became angry on Feb. 27, 2017 regarding his ability to make a phone call and became unruly according to statements made in court. Middleport Police Department Patrolman Michael Oliver was dispatched to the jail for an inmate being unruly. Patrolman Oliver had been on patrol in the village and responded to the jail. Upon arrival Patrolman Oliver testified he witnessed Robinson being unruly and Robinson expressed he wanted his phone call. Patrolman Oliver said he checked the logs to see if Robinson had already made his phone call and according to the records, he had. When Patrolman Oliver informed Robinson, Robinson became even more agitated. He threw his food off of the tray and began using the tray to hit the toilet. Robinson began kicking the door. In the process of kicking the door, the latch that held the door and door handle broke on the metal door. Patrolman Oliver said he observed all of this through a window in the door and on the security cameras. Due to an upgrade in the system, previous footage was lost so a tape was not available for the jury to view.

Also testifying was Meigs County Court Officer Steven Jagers. Jagers serves as bailiff to the Common Pleas Court and testified to the fact Robinson had been notified both verbally and in writing at the court of the various court appearances he would have to make in the vandalism case. When Robinson failed to appear the second time on August 10, 2017 a bench warrant was issued and Robinson was charged with Failure to Appear.

At 2:42 p.m. Judge Crow began giving instructions to the jury. The jury left the courtroom to deliberate on the case at 2:52 p.m. and returned with the verdict at 2:54 p.m.

Robinson was remanded to the custody of the Meigs County Sheriff’s Office pending sentencing November 17, 2017. Robinson could be sentenced to up to 30 months in prison.