ASHLAND — An Ashland resident was recently charged for sex crimes against minors after he already served a prison sentence for a related conviction. Iann Christopher Simmons, 34, faces five felony charges and one misdemeanor charge involving crimes against minors for incidents authorities say happened between Jan. 1 and May 25, 2025, while Simmons was […]
Ashland County Court of Common Pleas
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Mother of maimed child in Savannah dog attack sentenced to 20-plus years
ASHLAND — The woman who handcuffed her child while a pit bull dog used him as a “chew toy” will spend up to 23 years in prison, an Ashland County judge ruled Monday. Angelina Williams, 28, of Cleveland, pleaded guilty to all charges related to the Aug. 17 incident. She was sentenced Monday. She faced […]
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Dad to stepson’s killer: ‘I hope you die a long, slow & painful death in prison’
ASHLAND — Earl Donley faced the man who killed his stepson Tuesday morning. “I hope you die a long, slow and painful death in prison,” Donley said to Howard Walters in Ashland County Common Pleas Court. “I am not a very strong believer in the afterlife, but you make me hopeful there is a hell,” […]
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Ashland man accused in son-in-law’s murder changes plea in capital case
ASHLAND — The capital case involving an Ashland man accused of killing his son-in-law will not go to trial thanks to a plea bargain. A judgement entry filed Monday in Ashland County Court of Common Pleas shows that Howard Walters, 60, “wishes to change his plea.” Walters faces the death penalty stemming from a number […]
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Meal carrier from Ashland County Council on Aging finds murder suspect Stanley Gardner dead
ASHLAND — A man accused of killing his son two years ago, with a criminal trial slated to begin next month, was found dead in his home Monday, authorities confirmed. Stanley Gardner, 73, was found “sitting in a chair not responding” late Monday morning, according to Ashland County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Dave Blake. Blake […]
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Ashland County death penalty case held up on questions of indigent status
ASHLAND — A capital case at Ashland County Court of Common Pleas is being held up because of an argument on whether or not the defendant is indigent. Howard Walters, 59, has been accused in the early 2023 slaying of his son-in-law, Kurtis Harstine, 41. He faces a number of charges related to Harstine’s death, […]