Mary Alice Reporting – A 23-year-old appeared in the Tuscarawas Common Pleas Court Monday after a sanity evaluation report came back.
The main point of the conversation with Judge Michael Ernest was to determine how the case would proceed as it gets closer to a possible jury trial date.
Justin Brill is charged with aggravated vehicular homicide, aggravated vehicular assault, and operating a vehicle under the influence.
A not guilty by reason of insanity plea was entered in September and an evaluation was ordered for the Forensic Diagnostic Center District 9 to conduct the assessment, which has now been issued.
At Monday morning’s status hearing, the Defendants’ Attorney John Watters addressed the evaluation.
“In light of the report, we are prepared to withdraw our plea of not guilty by reason of insanity at this time. We maintain a plea of not guilty.”
This case stems from an investigation where two men were struck at the Beaver Creek Apartments, in New Philadelphia. One victim, 55-year-old Ronald Rader died due to injuries.
According to the initial case filing in New Philadelphia Municipal Court, Brill was operating the vehicle and tested a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .153.
The next court date in the case is February 21st.
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