News
Athens Co. Judge Takes Case Of Feuding Officials
By: Fred Kight
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Athens County Common Pleas Court Judge Michael Ward is taking on a Hocking County case that involves feuding among local officials.
Ward this week was appointed by the Supreme Court after Hocking County Common Pleas Judge John Wallace stepped aside.
Former Athens County Prosecutor David Warren is special prosecutor in the case, brought in to investigate the death last year of Glenn Swain.
Warren says the investigation is ongoing but Judge Ward is being called upon to rule on a motion that requests that Hocking County Coroner David Cummin pay $500 for the expenses of Warren and an investigator.
Warren claims Cummin has been uncooperative and news reports describe disagreements between Cummin and the Hocking County sheriff and prosecutor.
Cummin maintains Swaim’s death was a homicide but Sheriff’s investigators contend there’s no evidence of that.
Warren says a status conference with Judge Ward is scheduled for October 23.