April Parks’ Attorney Enters Not Guilty Plea in Cruelty to Companion Animals Case

Joe Lyons • May 9, 2023

April Parks, the defendant in a Cruelty to Companion Animals case, appeared before the Ashland County Common Pleas Court on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, for an initial hearing. The charge, filed on May 2, 2024, is a Felony 5th Degree under section 0959.131(C).

The hearing, presided over by Magistrate Emily M. Bates, saw Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Michael Callow representing the State. Parks, who initially lacked legal representation following her bond hearing, was assigned Zushin as her counsel during the May 7th hearing.

In a subsequent development on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, Attorney Benjamin Zushin entered a plea of Not Guilty on behalf of April Parks, along with a request for a bond modification. However, Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Michael Callow objected. Court documents revealed that Magistrate Emily M. Bates shared the objection to a bond modification, citing the severity of the offense and expressing concerns regarding April Parks’ mental health and her potential risk to the community.

As of today, Thursday, May 9, 2024, Despite the denial of the bond modification, April Parks managed to post bond through Hitchman Bonds, based in Mansfield, Ohio. The court set a further appearance hearing for Friday, May 24, 2024, at 1:30 p.m., to be conducted via video.