Case against Ben Mitchell mounts as father strikes guilty plea for testimony

POMEROY – Edward Mitchell, 61, of Langsville, entered a guilty plea for his involvement in a stabbing and brutal assault of a woman.

Edward Mitchell was charged along with his son, Benjamin Mitchell, in the stabbing.

The elder Mitchell appeared in the Meigs County Court of Common Pleas Wednesday afternoon along with his attorney, Karyn Justice. Edward Mitchell had been charged with one count of Felonious Assault, a felony of the second degree; one count of Tampering with Evidence, a felony of the third degree; and two counts of Kidnapping, a felony of the first degree.

Edward Mitchell entered into a plea agreement with the state and is expected to be sentenced next week by Judge Carson Crow. In that agreement arranged by Meigs County Prosecuting Attorney James Stanley, the two charges of Kidnapping would be dismissed if he gave truthful testimony in an upcoming scheduled trial for Benjamin Mitchell. Benjamin Mitchell’s alleged involvement is more in depth with the stabbing and assaulting of the victim at the residence both Mitchell’s shared on Hampton Hollow Road. The incident was reported to have occurred at the residence on August 14, 2016.

The attack on the victim was “severe” as described by law enforcement in August 2016. The woman suffered stab wounds, lacerations to her face, arms and body. She was flown to Grant Medical Center in Columbus due to the severity of her wounds.

Edward Mitchell was given he opportunity to address the court, but chose not to before Judge Crow officially accepted the guilty plea. He only answered the judge with “no sir” or “yes sir” until Judge Crow asked Edward Mitchell if he believed he was guilty of the charges he was entering the plea on.

“I believe I am, sir,” Edward Mitchell said.

Judge Crow asked Edward Mitchell repeatedly if he understood what he was doing with entering the guilty plea, clarifying the defendant knew his rights. During the routine questions asked when such a plea is entered, Edward Mitchell said he had served 24 years in the United States Air Force where he also obtained two associate degrees. Judge Crow found Edward Mitchell guilty of the Felonious Assault charge and the charge of Tampering with Evidence. Sentencing was deferred until later next week.

As the proceeding was concluding Judge Crow asked Edward Mitchell how he went from serving in the military and the rest of his life to what he was convicted of doing. “It doesn’t make any sense to me,” said Judge Crow.

“I wouldn’t now what to say to you, sir,” Edward Mitchell said and added, “I believe it will come out in testimony.”

“It is a very sad situation,” responded Judge Crow.

The original story as reported by the Meigs Independent Press is linked below.

Suspect in stabbing taken into custody