Extra Edition from the Mount Vernon News

By SAMANTHA SCOLES
News Managing Editor

MOUNT VERNON — The body found six days ago in a septic tank on Newcastle Road has been positively identified as Raymond Staats.

According to Knox County Coroner Jennifer Ogle, Staats was shot several times in the chest and torso and suffered an injury to his spinal cord.

Staats was asphyxiated with a plastic bag that was secured over his head. There was severe decomposition to his body, Ogle said.

Comparison of dental records aided in the identification of Staats.

Forensic pathologist Dr. Jeff Lee performed the autopsy.

Staats was reported missing Jan. 9, 2009, from Canton, by a lifelong friend who last saw him leaving Canton for Mount Vernon in a blue Durango.

A call has been placed to Knox County Sheriff David Barber seeking information as to what happens next in this case.

The Mount Vernon News will continue to publish information as to who killed Staats, and why, as it becomes available.

BY CHUCK MARTIN
News Staff Reporter

7:19 p.m.BUTLER TOWNSHIP — A body found in a septic tank behind an abandoned mobile home this afternoon may have been there as long as two years.

Knox County Sheriff David Barber said the body may be that of a man reported missing in Stark County about two years ago, but identification will have to wait until after an autopsy Friday.

In a statement to reporters after the remains were taken away today, Barber said a man named Raymond Staats was reported missing in Stark County two years ago. Stark County deputies found information that indicated Staats may have come to Knox County.

The subsequent investigation by Knox County deputies, Barber said, “developed information” that the body would be found at 27700 Newcastle Road. According to the Knox County Auditor’s website, the property is owned by Cami Stidham.

Barber also confirmed a report that the property had been searched by cadaver dogs earlier this year, but found nothing.

Investigators began the job of unearthing the septic tank about 1 p.m. A backhoe was brought to the scene and a truck from Sims On-Site Sanitation was also at the scene.

Little could be seen while the work was going on as the site was located behind the abandoned mobile home and a deputy kept reporters on the other side of Ohio 229.

Barber emphasized that he could not confirm the body is that of Staats and he will probably not have any updates on the case until after the autopsy Friday. The autopsy will be performed in Licking County.

Bill Stokes, who lives across the highway, shook his head at the news a body had been recovered and expressed surprise that someone could have hidden a body there without someone noticing.

“I left here at noon and the deputies were here when I came back at 2:30 p.m.” he said.

According to an article published June 8, 2009, by the Canton Repository, a friend of Raymond Staats said he was last seen Jan. 9, 2009, when he was coming to Mount Vernon to pick up a car that an unidentified Canton man purchased over the Internet. She said Staats had been paid to pick up and deliver a 1967 Mustang.

Mary Serafini told the Repository that Staats called her at 5:34 p.m. and confirmed he had the vehicle. Twenty minutes later, the unidentified man called Serafini to see if she had heard from Staats as he failed to meet up with him as planned.

More details of the investigation will be published as they become available.

4:01 p.m.HOWARD — Knox County Sheriff’s Deputies and investigators from the Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation are at an abandoned trailer on Newcastle Road near Kerr Road this afternoon.

According to News staff on the scene, there are several trucks and a pop-up tent behind the trailer, but no information is available as to what officials are investigating.

Details will be released as they become available.

MOUNT GILEAD — Devon Strader, 18, Crestline, turned himself in to Findlay Police Thursday night on Morrow County charges of complicity to aggravated murder, an unspecified felony. The charges stem out of the murder of Joseph Rosella who was found beaten to death in his garage early Monday morning, July 4.

Already in custody is Cory Kelly, 23. Kelly is charged with aggravated murder. Kelly is being held at the Morrow County Jail.

Strader is a friend of Kelly and is believed to have assisted Kelly in the murder. Strader is currently being held at the Hancock County Jail on a bond of $250,000. 

A baseball bat that was being sought by Morrow County detectives was recovered late Wednesday night. It is not known if the bat is the murder weapon. 

Morrow County Sheriff’s Detectives are continuing their investigation into the murder and motive.

Sunday, July 3, 10:21 a.m.

Dr. Brent Ogle, acting coroner said Pressley-Claggett was shot in the upper right back, apparently by a large caliber weapon. A preliminary autopsy by the Licking County Coroner indicated the bullet went through both lungs and the aorta. Ogle said she bled to death very quickly. He said the shooting must have happened just seconds before the crash.

Saturday, July 2, 5p.m.

By VIRGIL SHIPLEY
News Staff Photographer

MARTINSBURG — A St. Louisville female was found fatally shot and a Frazeysburg male shot and injured when rescue and law enforcement officers investigated a car crash south of Martinsburg, Friday at 10:27 p.m.

Ohio State Highway Patrol Lt. Rudy Zupanc at the Critical Information and Communication Center in Columbus said that Lilly Dawn Pressley-Claggett, 35, St. Louisville, was identified as the driver and was pronounced dead. The passenger is Jesse Bernard Collins, 30, Frazeysburg.

Collins was flown by MedFlight helicopter to the Ohio State University Medical Center where he remains in critical condition. The patrol said their investigation to this point appears to stem from a domestic dispute. A weapon was recovered at the scene.

Their information was that the car was northbound on Ohio 586 and crossed to the left side of the road, crashing into a tree.

The initial report of the crash came into the Knox County Sheriff’s Office 9-1-1 line at 10:27 p.m. The Bladensburg Fire Department answered the call, taking rescue and medic vehicles. Fire Capt. Dustin Baker said their were a number of people from the patrol, including a crime lab from Columbus. In addition to the patrol, the Knox County Sheriff’s Office and Licking County Sheriff’s Office were called.

The investigation is ongoing and Zupanc said they will release information when it becomes available.

Patrol investigators are requesting that anyone who may have additional information contact the Critical Information and Communication Center at 614-799-6633.

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Saturday, July 2, 11a.m.

By VIRGIL SHIPLEY
News Staff Photographer

MARTINSBURG — A female was found fatally shot and a male shot and injured when rescue and law enforcement officers investigated a car crash south of Martinsburg, Friday about 10:30 p.m. Ohio State Highway Patrol Lt. Rudy Zupanck at the Critical Information and Communication Center in Columbus said they still have only sketchy information this morning.

Their information was that the car was northbound and crossed to the left side of the road crashing into a tree. In addition to the patrol, the Knox County Sheriff’s Office and Licking County Sheriff Department were called. A dispatcher at the Knox County Sheriff’s Office said the incident is being handled by the patrol.

The Knox County Coroner Dr. Jennifer Ogle was not available for comment this morning. The Bladensburg Fire Department answered the call at 10:27 p.m. taking rescue and medic vehicles. Fire Captain Dustin Baker said their were a number of people from the patrol, including a crime lab from Columbus.
He added MedFlight landed on Ohio 586 and took the male to the Ohio State University Medical Center. The investigation is ongoing and Zupanck said they will release information when it becomes available.

MOUNT VERNON — A Utica man was indicted by the Knox County grand jury on Monday on one count of involuntary manslaughter. Harley J. Hanna, according to the indictment, caused the death of Glen D. Willey, who was found dead outside of Choo Choo’s bar on Pittsburgh Avenue in Mount Vernon, on May 21.

Willey, 41, suffered head trauma, which caused bleeding to the lining of his brain, causing his death, according to Knox County Coroner Jennifer Ogle.

Involuntary homicide is a third degree felony punishable by a maximum sentence of up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

Hanna was also indicted on one count of assault by knowingly causing or attempting to cause physical harm to another and one count of assault by recklessly causing serious physical harm to another. Both counts are first degree misdemeanors.

A warrant was issued today for Hanna’s arrest. At this time, the News cannot confirm whether or not the warrant has been executed.

More details will be published as they become available.

MOUNT VERNON — Five area fire departments responded to a house fire at the home of James and Julie DeLong at 22260 Sycamore Road early this afternoon.

Julie DeLong was home with her mother, Pearl Schindler, when she discovered smoke in a back hallway near a furnace. She said she immediately got her mother and pets out of the house and then called 9-1-1.

Firefighters arrived from Bladensburg, Utica, Danville, Mount Vernon and Homer fire departments to put out the blaze as heavy smoke was pouring from the eaves all around the house.

Cause of the fire had not yet been determined.

MOUNT VERNON — Mount Vernon Fire Chief Shawn Christy was placed on paid administrative leave Thursday afternoon, according to Safety-Service Director David Glass.

The leave is indefinite until the issue is resolved, Glass said. In the absence of the chief, Assistant Chief Chris Menapace assumes the duties for the department.

Christy had no comment on the matter other than to admit surprise at being placed on leave.

“I’m in the dark on this as much as anybody,” Christy said.

Glass refused to disclose information on what led to the suspension.

MOUNT VERNON — Mount Vernon Fire Chief Shawn Christy was placed on paid administrative leave Thursday afternoon, according to Safety-Service Director David Glass.

The leave is indefinite until the issue is resolved, Glass said. Glass was unable to provide more information on the issue at hand.

MOUNT GILEAD — The Ohio State Highway Patrol, in conjunction with the Mount Vernon Police Department and the Knox County Sheriff’s Office, announced today that an OVI checkpoint will be held from 9 p.m. to midnight tonight on South Main Street (Ohio 13).

The OVI checkpoint, funded by federal grant funds, is planned to deter and intercept impaired drivers. The site will also be held in conjunction with nearby saturation patrols to aggressively combat alcohol-related injury and fatal crashes.

Anyone planning to consume alcohol should designate a driver or make other travel arrangements before drinking.

“Don’t let another life be lost for the senseless and selfish act of getting behind the wheel impaired,” said Lt. Chad McGinty in a press release issued this morning.