MANSFIELD — A murder case was responsible for eight of the 26 indictments listed by the Richland County Prosecutor’s office after the latest grand jury session.
According to Richland County Prosecutor Gary Bishop’s office, Dennis Heard was indicted in connection with eight offenses: murder, a firearm specification, two counts of a violent offender specification, voluntary manslaughter, having weapons while under disability and tampering with evidence.
On Dec. 18, 2016, authorities say Heard was involved in an incident at his home where a family member was shot, according to first assistant prosecutor Jodie Schumaker.
“An argument of sorts had broke out within the home. It ended up that Mr. Heard shot the victim,” Schumaker said. “Witness statements as well as the defendant indicated the shot had discharged ultimately resulting in the victim’s death.”
The gunshot was to the victim’s left shoulder and an exit wound was found in that person’s back, she confirmed. Heard’s criminal record stretches from 1998 to as recently as 2011. His prior convictions include aggravated robbery, kidnapping, drug possession, trafficking, and burglary.
Johnnie R. Rossi was indicted on eight robbery charges. Schumaker noted there were two charges each stemming from four separate incidents.
“These were ATM robberies that were occurring throughout the county,” Schumaker said. “We have incidents that were within the county — within Mansfield City and within Ontario as well.”
Schumaker credited the Ontario Police Department, Mansfield Police Department and the Richland County Sheriff’s office for capturing Rossi.
“The three different agencies began to recognize similarities in the incidents. It was definitely a team effort,” the first assistant prosecutor said. “Everyone worked together. Finally a traffic stop occurred and he was identified as a suspect.”
Schumaker said a gun was used in at least two of the incidents, as reported by victims.
Ashlea L Meade was indicted for two counts of aggravated burglary and two counts of burglary. She is one of four co-defendants with Tyler Poole, Heath Anthony Ramey and Isaiah Risner. As of now, Schumaker said, they will be tried individually.
The burglary charges were in connection with incidents in Shelby. Authorities say the four assaulted two people inside a Shelby residence on Jan. 4.
“I’m going to call it more of a retaliatory incident,” Schumaker said. “Relating back to a relationship.”
Ashley Mathews was indicted second-degree felonious assault in relation to a domestic violence incident on Dec. 6.
“There was an argument that occurred in the home that happened in Mansfield, Ohio with her (38-year-old) boyfriend,” Schumaker said. “At which point she picked up a knife and stabbed her boyfriend. He was taken to a hospital.”
