Nick McWilliams reporting – A man from the Newcomerstown area pled guilty Friday to pouring gasoline on a woman and lighting a shed on fire.
The incident occurred in September on Dunlap Creek Road, which is believed to have stemmed from some sort of domestic incident that saw 41-year old Ralph Hutzel Jr. carry out the acts.
Judge Michael Ernest accepted the plea change, and noted that in addition to prison time, Hutzel will receive probation and the potential for further incarceration for violations.
“Ralph, if all those things happen and you go to prison, serve out your sentence, then you’d be on post-release control. You need to be aware that even though you served out your entire prison sentence, if you violate the conditions of supervision, then the parole board could return you to prison for up to nine months for each violation.”
Ernest accepted guilty pleas on three counts of aggravated arson, one count of attempted arson, and a count of domestic violence.
Previous not guilty pleas by way of insanity were not used after mental evaluations stated that Hutzel was competent at the time of the offenses.
His sentencing will be scheduled for a later date.
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