Gordon Goes on Trial Feb. 17, Laurin Faces Charges Too

Good news!  Both burglary suspects face charges.  Charles Gordon IV goes to trial at the Common Pleas Court on February 17 at 9 a.m.

Christy Laurin also goes to the Common Pleas Court but no date has been set yet. 

Here's the response I got from Stephanie Hardman, the municipal court clerk to explain what charges Gordon and Laurin face:

"The case against Christy Laurin (17CRA00084) here at Municipal Court was bound over to the Common Pleas Court on 02-01-17.  There has not been a new date set at the Common Pleas Court. 

 

The case against Charles Gordon IV (17CRA00085) here at Municipal Court was dismissed on 02-03-17 pending future indictment at the Common Pleas Court.  Mr. Gordon was indicted by the Grand Jury on 02-07-17 and he goes to court at the Common Pleas Court on 02-17-17 at 9 a.m.

 

Both of these cases are now pending at the Common Pleas Court and are closed here at Municipal Court."

I still think we shouldn't be surprised if  Laurin gets off easier than Gordon because she has no criminal record while Gordon has an extensive prison record in his past, ending about 15 years ago, with the only more recent charge against him being receiving stolen property.

When I complimented Sheriff Shaffer on the work of his deputies and detectives, he e-mailed: 

" I also sent a thank you letter to the caller (neighbor) that reported the incident, because [that person] was the reason we were alerted to the burglary."   

I didn't realize the reason the municipal court records say "Case Finished" is because, as the court clerk said, their cases are closed at the municipal court and open at the common pleas court.

I'm learned a lot about municipal court in this process, now I have to learn about the Knox County Common Pleas Court.  First I had to find out where it is: 111 E High St Rm 210, Mount Vernon, OH 43050 (Phone: 740-393-6779).

I still have a lot to learn--I had no idea we have two courthouse buildings?

I'll be at Gordon's trial.

Court Orders Gordon Case Dismissed

February 3, 2017 

This morning the Mount Vernon (Ohio) Municipal Court accepted the prosecutors request to dismiss charges against Charles C. Gordon, IV, saying:

"This day came the State of Ohio, by and through the Knox County prosecuting attorney, and moved the court for leave to dismiss the above styled action for good cause shown.  It is the order of the court that this cause be, and hereby is, dismissed without prejudice."

Prosecutor Files Motion to Drop all Charges Against Man Arrested for Burglary at Apple Valley, Howard, Ohio

Today, February 2, the prosecutor filed a motion to dismiss charges against Charles C. Gordon, IV, who was arrested on January 23 in what police described as a burglary in progress at a home in the 2200 block of Apple Valley  Drive.

On January 25, Gordon was released from jail after posting a $10,000 surety bond.  My quick research on the Internet indicates he pays a premium to an insurance company to post the $10,000 bail.

Christy M. Laurin, who was arrested with Gordon, was released on January 24 on her own recognizance, without bail, because she had no prior criminal record.

On January 31, the public defender “entered an appearance on behalf of Defendant” [Gordon].

According to records on www.mountvernonmuncipalcourt.org, both Gordon and Laurin had been scheduled for a preliminary hearing today, Gordon at 2 p.m. and Laurin at 2:30 p.m.  But on January 31, Laurin, with her lawyer, waived her right to the hearing and consented to be “bound over to the Knox County Grand Jury for further proceedings” while remaining free on her own recognizance, without bail.  The next day, February 1, the court accepted her waiver and consent to a grand jury.

That left only Gordon’s hearing today, but when I arrived I saw the courtroom was vacant, so I went to the court clerk’s office and learned the hearing would not occur today because they were waiting for paperwork.  Court records showed that Gordon would be mailing a plea. 

I can only assume the paperwork they were waiting for was pertaining to the prosecutor’s dismissal of charges against Gordon.