RSS | Comments | Tell a Friend | Larger Text | Smaller Text | Bookmark and Share

Local News

Friday, March 07, 2008

Man sentenced for fatal stabbing

The Granary Story one ad
By J. STEVEN DILLON

STAFF WRITER

A McComb man, scheduled to go on trial Monday for the stabbing death of a man outside Brandy's night club last summer, admitted his guilt Thursday and was sentenced to at least 15 years in prison.

In an unexpected development, Aaron H. Hernandez, 20, pleaded guilty to the murder of Andrew C. Coleman, 22, of Findlay.

Hancock County Common Pleas Court Judge Reg Routson sentenced him to life in prison for the unclassified felony offense. The defendant, who did not speak at sentencing, will have to serve 15 years before being considered for parole.

Hancock County Prosecutor Mark Miller said Thursday his staff was preparing for trial when Hernandez agreed to a plea bargain.

"We had been talking with his attorney, but it didn't appear that we could get it done," Miller said. "We were surprised that it happened."

The case was resolved after prosecutors agreed to dismiss a tampering with evidence charge. That charge was related to the murder weapon, which was never found.

Authorities say Hernandez used a "butterfly" style knife to stab Coleman, then discarded the weapon.

"I'm pleased for the victim's family," Miller said after the hearing Thursday. "This means they won't have to go through a trial and can have some sense of closure."

Hernandez's attorney, Greg Meyers, the senior assistant state public defender, could not be reached for comment Thursday night.

Had the case gone to trial, the defense had been expected to claim Hernandez, if anything, was guilty of voluntary manslaughter, a less serious offense which carries a maximum 10-year sentence.

But Miller said he had been prepared to introduce evidence that would have proven Hernandez purposely caused the death of Coleman.

"We felt murder was the appropriate charge in this case," Miller said. "If you take a knife and plunge it into somebody's chest in Hancock County and kill them, it's murder."

Hernandez, originally from Texas, had been living with relatives in Leipsic but was also staying at a residence in McComb at times last summer.

Findlay police found him hiding in an attic at the McComb home of his cousin, Jose A. Zamora, several hours after Coleman died early June 8.

Zamora, authorities said, had been with Hernandez and two other friends at Brandy's, and they were among a group of patrons leaving the popular night spot when trouble began around closing time.

Coleman, who Hernandez didn't know, was also leaving the bar.

Miller said Hernandez got into an argument and hit another man just outside the bar, before getting into another confrontation, this time with Coleman.

"It was verbal, apparently nothing physical, at that point," Miller said.

The two separated, according to witnesses, and Hernandez had gotten into a car to leave the parking lot when Coleman and Zamora began to argue outside the car.

Hernandez got out of the vehicle and began fist fighting with Coleman near Glessner Avenue, on the east side of Brandy's.

Hernandez then pulled out a small knife and stabbed Coleman in the upper chest.

Witnesses told police that Coleman fell to his knees. Hernandez ran, dropped the knife, then picked it up and jumped in the car. The vehicle left the area.

Coleman collapsed after suffering a wound which had lacerated his left pulmonary artery. He was pronounced dead a short time later at Blanchard Valley Hospital.

Hernandez was arrested several hours later in McComb and has been held ever since in the Hancock County jail on $500,000 bond.

He had been scheduled to go on trial in October, but the trial was postponed after he attacked his first attorney in court. The state public defender's office was later assigned the case.

Miller said there was never an identity issue in the case — several eyewitnesses described Hernandez as Coleman's killer — but police never got a good explanation why Hernandez stabbed Coleman.

"It's one of those things we really haven't been able to figure out," Miller said. "It's a classic example of a senseless loss of human life."

Contact staff writer J. Steven Dillon at:

(419) 427-8423

Send an e-mail to Steve Dillon

Comment on This Story
NOTE: Comment moderation has been enabled. If you see a comment that violates our Electronic User Agreement, please e-mail rebeccaconklin@thecourier.com. Thank you. If you are having problems viewing this Web page, please contact our Internet Department to help us diagnose and correct the problem. We may contact you for more information. Thanks in advance.
Your e-mail address will not be displayed on this website or shared with anyone. It is used by our online editor for contacting purposes.
Comments are moderated by The Courier according to its Electronic User Agreement within one business day. Comments that slander others or include language that violates the agreement will be rejected. All comments that impart opinion and information are welcome.
   MULTIMEDIA
Flood Solutions Audio

MITIGATION: Possible flood projects for Findlay were presented in a public meeting Monday at Winebrenner Seminary.

Audio


Stories


Conceptual Plans


Technical Maps


Flood Portal

RESOURCES: At the flood portal you can find news stories, photos, multimedia, community features and updated river levels.

   VIRTUAL VILLAGE
Orange & Black Attack

OILERS: Follow University of Findlay sports with Brian Lester.


Far Flung Guest Book

DROP A LINE: Whether you're always here or just passing through, visit and sign our online Guest Book on the Far Flung blog.


Virtual Village
   PHOTO GALLERY
Randy's Seen

IMAGE BLOG: Go behind the scenes with Courier photographer Randy Roberts.


You can purchase photographs from The Courier through our easy-to-use online system. Get prints, mousepads, T-shirts and more!

   LOCAL NEWS
  LATEST COMMENTS Last 10 comments submitted by our readers...
adam wrote in article "Village patrols may be restored in future":
concerned
“ i totally agree with you! when you call them nothing happens (unless you have a little bit of pot). I called police on a passed... ” Read More...
11/20/2009 3:21:12 PM
adam wrote in article "Corn dust bothers elevator neighbor":
grain
“ hey if you dont like the problems caused by this you should move. Otherwise shut up and count your blessings that YOU have a pla... ” Read More...
11/20/2009 3:15:05 PM
adam wrote in article "Two charged after robbery":
pizza
“ you would be amazing sometimes the ammount they carry. Sometimes its a whole nights woth of working that they gota payback. ” Read More...
11/20/2009 3:10:23 PM
TG wrote in article "Village patrols may be restored in future":
Capt. Treece
“ Why don't you put your money where your mouth is Capt. Treece. Bring out those numbers. The correct ones. I bet you make almo... ” Read More...
11/20/2009 2:52:23 PM
Chilli wrote in article "Extra enforcement slated for Saturday due to big game":
Extra Enforcement
“ I always wonder why they tell the public what roads are choosen for patrols. Can't the drunk driver just go another route? ” Read More...
11/20/2009 2:48:36 PM
james wrote in article "Village patrols may be restored in future":
buddies
“ Thats not the way we see it ,,if you retire and can and do ,,,move on,, We the people of this county do not approve of this pra... ” Read More...
11/20/2009 2:01:31 PM
Get Real wrote in article "Two charged after robbery":
Why is this thug on the street anyway?
“ I believe if you review some history, this creep robbed a pizza driver in August of 2007 two years ago and was involved in a st... ” Read More...
11/20/2009 1:35:27 PM
Scott wrote in article "Two charged after robbery":
Robbery
“ While I agree with most of Cathy Schulte's comments, I don't agree with, "Good of her to fight back." How stupid would it be to... ” Read More...
11/20/2009 1:28:20 PM
JP wrote in article "Corn dust bothers elevator neighbor":
Grains, trains and automobiles
“ I live in North Baltimore, a pitching wedge from the grain elevator and a chip shot from the CSX main line.

It IS dustier he... ” Read More...
11/20/2009 11:44:07 AM
Cathy Schulte wrote in article "Two charged after robbery":
Robbery
“ How dumb ! How much could money a pizza delivery person have? To risk prision for any amount is crazy,but to rob a person of cha... ” Read More...
11/20/2009 11:34:18 AM
  U.S. Headlines
  World News
  Ohio News
Homeless Pets Hancock Co.
News Briefs Work scheduled on Findlay streets
Findlay's Main Street, northbound, will be reduced at times to one lane between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. for waterline connection.

Main Street will not be accessible from East Lincoln Street. Lincoln Street will be closed to through traffic from South Main Street to South Blanchard Street from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for continued improvement work. Access to local businesses and residents only will be maintained.

Recount planned in trustee's race
OTTAWA -- After certifying election results on Wednesday, the Putnam County Board of Elections has announced a recount will be required for the Union Township trustee race, according to Deputy Director Shelly Burkhart.

The recount will be completed on Wednesday at the county elections board office, 336 E. Main Street, Ottawa.

Incumbent Daniel R. Ellerbrock has secured his position on the board, earning 685 votes. However the remaining trustee spot will require a recount as Gery P. Wurth earned 598 votes and Mark J. Kahle collected 601 votes, according to official results.

An automatic recount is necessary if the margin is within one-half of 1 percent of total votes cast, according to state law.

Road to be closed
Forest Lake Drive, between Marion Township 237 and Indian Lake Drive/Forest Lane, will be closed today for a pipe installation.

The road is expected to open by 5 p.m., weather permitting.

Motorists are advised to use Township 242.