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Prosecutor: Murder Charge Expected In Ohio Officer’s Slaying

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A county chief prosecutor says he expects a murder charge to be brought against the man suspected of killing a village police officer in Ohio, but it’s not clear how soon that could happen.

Knox County Prosecutor Chip McConville says 32-year-old Herschel Ray Jones III was being held Monday for violating the conditions set when he was released from prison last year. He says that’s enough to hold him until charges are filed.

Jones is suspected in the death of Danville Officer Thomas Cottrell, whose body was found near the municipal building in the village northeast of Columbus. Authorities have yet to say how he died.

McConville says the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation was still gathering evidence, and Cottrell’s autopsy is expected to happen on Tuesday. He says it’s likely Jones will be charged initially in municipal court, until the case can be taken to a grand jury.

Jones was captured shortly after the officer’s body was found. Police say his ex-girlfriend had called police to say Jones had weapons and was looking to kill an officer.