Mark Caudill

Reporter

MANSFIELD – Both sides could claim some degree of victory in the Michael Skidmore verdict.

Skidmore, 59, of Franklin Township, was found guilty on four of six charges Friday, but he was found not guilty on the two most serious counts.

A five-man, seven-woman jury deliberated for nearly five hours before finding Skidmore guilty of inducing panic and obstructing official business and two misdemeanor counts of assault. They ruled he was not guilty of two counts of felonious assault. He could have received up to 16 years in prison on those two charges.

"We're very happy with the verdict," defense attorney Jaceda Blazef said. "We avoided the 16 years in prison.

"We're happy the jury took their time. They listened."

Visiting Judge Richard Reinbold ordered a pre-sentence investigation and set sentencing for 11 a.m. July 27. Skidmore could get 2 1/2 years in prison or probation. Inducing panic and obstructing official business are low-level felonies that don't carry a presumption of prison time.

Skidmore will remain free until sentencing as Reinbold continued the terms of his bond.

The charges stem from an altercation with two security officers who tried to remove him from a July 9 county commissioners meeting, resulting in a melee in which a gunshot was fired.

The incident started with Skidmore approaching clerk Stacey Crall to look at her name tag before commissioners went into a closed session.

Commissioner Marilyn John called security, claiming Skidmore had touched Crall. Security officers Tim Norris and Chuck Kochis responded.

Norris, who had 35 years in law enforcement, including time at the Bellville and Mifflin police departments, approached Skidmore and tried to remove his camera, leading to the fight. Norris fired his weapon as Skidmore peppered him with punches. The bullet struck a wall.

"I think the jury heard the facts of the case and came to a conclusion on it," John said by phone.

Crall was among the people who showed up for the verdict. She declined comment, saying she hadn't been able to reach her bosses.

The courtroom was silent as Reinbold read the verdict to himself. Skidmore was stoic, standing with his hands clasped in front of him.

Reinbold ordered Skidmore to cooperate with the county probation officers who will compile his pre-sentence investigation. He said cooperation would help him possibly receive a community control sanction.

"What is a community control sanction?" Skidmore asked before Blazef told him it meant probation.

After the hearing, Skidmore headed to the probation office with co-counsel Anica Blazef-Horner.

After the proceedings, special prosecutor Brad Tammaro, of the Ohio Attorney General's Office, talked to the jury while the media waited for him in the lobby. He left the building through another exit without commenting to the media on the outcome.

The state said Norris suffers from blurred vision in his right eye, adding he had to have rotator cuff surgery after the fight. Norris was denied when he filed claims for workers' compensation.

Kochis, who subdued Skidmore, sustained a bite mark on his cheek and scarring on his elbow. Kochis is a retired deputy, spending 26 years at the sheriff's office.

"I think if Kochis had been the only one who went in the room, we wouldn't be here," Blazef said. "The way Norris handled it was totally inappropriate."

Blazef said the situation was blown out of proportion, adding she thought Skidmore would be a good candidate for probation.

Outside the courthouse, Skidmore gave a thumbs-up sign to a reporter. Blazef-Horner said Skidmore would have no comment.

Blazef said she was relieved the trial was over.

"This was a very bizarre case," she said. "I don't think I'll see another one like it in my lifetime. I hope not anyway."

mcaudill@gannett.com

419-521-7219

Twitter: @MNJCaudill