Robert Palermo Enters Not Guilty Plea, Waives Preliminary Hearing in East Liberty Street Shooting Case
ASHLAND — Robert Palermo, 24, of Ashland, entered a plea of not guilty during a court hearing held today in connection with the fatal shooting of John “Lefty” Grehn, 61, on East Liberty Street.
The hearing was conducted via video before Ashland County Common Pleas Court Magistrate Emily Bates. Palermo appeared with his court-appointed attorney, Donald Wick, while Ashland County Prosecuting Attorney Christopher R. Tunnell represented the state.
During the proceedings, Attorney Wick acknowledged receipt of the criminal complaint on behalf of his client, waived formal reading of the complaint and explanation of potential penalties for record purposes, and formally entered a not guilty plea. Magistrate Bates accepted the plea.
Palermo also waived his right to a preliminary hearing, which would have been used to determine whether probable cause exists to move the case forward. Magistrate Bates questioned Palermo directly to ensure the waiver was made knowingly and voluntarily. Palermo confirmed that he understood his rights, was not being forced or threatened, and had signed the waiver of his own free will. The court accepted the waiver.
A future court hearing was scheduled for January 15 at 2:30 p.m., and the court ordered that Palermo’s bond be continued. No additional matters were addressed before the hearing was adjourned.
Background of the Case
Palermo is charged with Aggravated Murder, an unclassified felony, in connection with the January 1, 2026 shooting at a residence located at 102 East Liberty Street in the City of Ashland.
Ashland Police Division officers and Ashland Fire Division personnel responded to the home at approximately 2:15 p.m. following a 911 call. Upon arrival, first responders located John “Lefty” Grehn deceased inside the residence. Palermo was taken into custody at the scene without incident and has remained held at the Ashland County Jail.
According to prior court proceedings and statements from the Ashland County Prosecutor’s Office, the incident followed an argument inside the home. Prosecutors allege that Palermo retrieved a handgun from a locked box, loaded it, and later shot Grehn multiple times. Palermo has no known prior criminal history.
A $2 million bond was previously set in the case, with strict conditions should Palermo be released, including GPS monitoring, a curfew, restrictions on drugs and alcohol, no access to firearms, and no contact with his father, who witnessed the incident.
