MANSFIELD, Ohio – Attorney Jaceda Blazef believes it’s too early to say if charges will be sought against two security officers involved in an altercation with Michael Skidmore at the Richland County Commissioner’s office.
“At this time, I don’t have an answer to that unfortunately,” she said.
Blazef, one of the attorney’s representing Skidmore, was referring to a July 9 incident that drew statewide attention.
Head of court security Dave Leitenberger said there is an investigative review of the incident, which will in part look into the actions taken by Tim Norris and Chuck Kochis. Neither officer has been reprimanded.
“That is right now with the (Richland County) Common Pleas General Division judges,” he said. “They’re the point authority.”
He added that no information from the investigation has been released.
Additionally, Leitenberger said both officers took a leave of absence after the incident, which he added was standard because injuries were involved. One of the officers has returned to work, though Leitenberger did not identify him.
Norris and Kochis were treated for injuries at OhioHealth MedCentral Mansfield Hospital after the July 9 altercation. Both officers were punched in the head and obtained cuts on the arms and hands during the fight. Kochis also was bit on the face.
“There’s a lot of checks-and-balances issues and things like that both parties are looking into,” Leitenberger said.
During the fight, Norris fired a shot into the wall. No one was struck by the bullet.
A Richland County Sheriff’s Office press release issued July 10 confirmed the discharge was intentional.
Skidmore has been charged with felonious assault and has an additional pretrial hearing Nov. 4. He has pleaded “not guilty” to all charges.
He is being represented by local attorneys Blazef and Anica Blazef-Horner, as well as Paul Mancino Jr. of Cleveland.
“All I know is that proper procedures are being done, and we’re staying within all the legal channels,” Leitenberger said.
