Mary Alice Reporting –
Sentencing was handed down for charges that were issued following a five-hour stand-off.
John Mozena III, a 37-year-old veteran, appeared in Judge Michael Ernest courtroom, on Monday, for a scheduled sentencing hearing for counts of attempted murder with a firearm specification and felonious assault, and unlawful possession of dangerous ordinance.
Prosecutor Scott Deedrick recounted how Tuscarawas County Sheriff deputies and detectives had responded on August 3 rd to Newcomerstown, at 3:28am, after family indicated they were concerned about their safety.
Deedrick played drone footage that showed Mozena on the roof of a mobile home, holding a long, Katana type sword, yelling at law enforcement officers. At one point, he descended, went inside, and retrieved a shotgun. He fired at officers and was subsequently injured as deputies returned fire.
“We are mindful of his mental illness and the fact that he’s known he’s had these mental issues for some time. This was also, to some extent, driven by the exacerbation of substance abuse, LSD and methamphetamine.”
During the cases course, Mozena plead not guilty by reason of insanity and then changed his plea to guilty. At the hearing, the defendant chose to speak.
“I just want to say that I’m sorry to everybody for my actions, and that it wasn’t me. I really don’t know how me is anymore. It’s been too hard to control my emotions and my mind.”
Before sentencing, Judge Ernest noted the seriousness of the situation and commended the on
scene officers.
“I think when you bring those four components together, despair, drugs, guns, and mental health, it’s amazing that someone was not killed. Obviously, a tremendous amount of credit goes to the law enforcement officers that were there that day in the restraint that they showed.”
Mozena was sentenced to three years in prison, as is mandatory for the gun specification, and then three more years in the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections. A 12-month term, for count three, will run concurrent.
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