MANSFIELD, Ohio — A Richland County jury will hear the case against Walter Renz, after it was bound over Thursday by Mansfield Municipal Court Judge Frank Ardis.
In a preliminary hearing, Ardis found probable cause that Renz received stolen property in connection with a Chase bank card owned by Patsy Hudson. Renz, 53, has been in the Richland County Jail since Monday. He was arraigned Wednesday and pleaded not guilty via video conference.
Linda Buckner, 58, is Renz’s girlfriend. She was arrested with Renz at a campground in Hohenwald, Tenn. on Thursday, Feb. 4. Buckner also pleaded not guilty on Wednesday at her arraignment. Her preliminary hearing is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 18 before Municipal Judge Jerry Ault.
Both were held in the Lewis County Jail before they were transferred to Richland County earlier this week. In addition to the local charges, Buckner is wanted in Kentucky on a parole violation warrant. Renz is wanted on a probation violation in Arkansas.
According to police, the couple were sought in connection with the disappearance of Hudson, who has been missing since July 4. The couple were seen moving out of their house on Spring Street, next door to Hudson, on the same day she was last seen, authorities said.
Over the weekend authorities found human remains they believe to be Hudson. However, Richland County Coroner’s Office Investigator Tom Stortz said Thursday they were still working on identifying the remains.
The Mansfield Police Department said it will have a “brief” press conference Friday at 11 a.m. regarding the investigation.
“The press conference will briefly address an update on the investigation involving the disappearance of Patsy Hudson. Specific details of the investigation will not be released as the investigation is still ongoing,” read the press release.
