MISTRIAL in Ashland City Firefighter Rape Case
Joe Lyons •
July 13, 2023
Aaron Drushell’s trial has ended in a mistrial, when the jury could not agree.
No decision has been made to retry the case.
Aaron Drushell, 34, was indicted on March 11, 2022 in the Ashland County Common Pleas Court before Judge David R. Stimpert for Rape, a first-degree felony, Sexual Battery, and Tampering with Evidence. Then on June 9, 2023, the State of Ohio reindicted Drushell, charging him with five counts of Rape, one count of Kidnapping, one count of Tampering with Evidence, and one count of Gross Sexual Imposition.
Drushell’s bond is set at $25,000, and is represented by Attorney James Mayer.
Drushell goes on unpaid leave from the Ashland Fire Department after indictment.
The allegations were originally charged in Court under Case No. 22-CRI-078 by Indictment on March 11, 2022.
Drushell turned himself in on March 14, 2022, and on the same day posted bond. Trial was scheduled for June 21, 2022.
On May 24, 2022, Drushell requested his first continuance, which was granted by this Court, and trial was rescheduled for August 23, 2022.
On August 4, 2022, Drushell again requested a continuance, which was granted by the Court, and the matter was rescheduled for trial on November 15, 2022. In both motions, the Drushell waived speedy trial time during the continuance period.
On October 17, 2022, the State of Ohio filed a motion to continue the trial citing a medical condition of the Richland County Prosecuting Attorney Gary Bishop, whose office is serving as special prosecutors in this case and an extended leave pursuant to the Family Medical Leave Act, whose office is serving as special prosecutors in this case
On November 15, 2022. The State then moved for a second continuance on April 10, 2023.
June 30, 2023, Drushell Attorney, James Mayer files motion to dismiss for lack of speedy trial as to new charges (Reads as follows:)
“Aaron Drushell is guaranteed the right to a speedy trial under the Sixth and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution and Article 1, Section 10 of the Ohio Constitution. This constitutional safeguard has been codified in R.C. § 2945.71, which mandates that Defendant be brought to trial within 270 days.
On March 11, 2022, in Case No. 22-CRI-078, the Defendant was charged in a three count Indictment with one count of Rape, one count of Sexual Battery, and one count of Tampering with Evidence.
Subsequently, on June 9, 2023, the State of Ohio reindicted the Defendant, as Case No. 23-CRI-162, charging him with five counts of Rape, one count of Kidnapping, one count of Tampering with Evidence, and one count of Gross Sexual Imposition. The new and additional charges in the second Indictment stem from the same facts and circumstances as the initial Indictment.”
