News
Two Witnesses Against Paul J. Roberts Charged With Crimes
By: Tom Hodson
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The chief of the Murray City Police Department is one of two people charged with crimes in relation to the murder of a Glouster man.
Christopher Bishop, 37, pleaded guilty to two misdemeanors related to stolen property he received from accused murderer Paul J. Roberts.
Ronda Degarmore, 37, of Glouster pleaded not guilty to three felony counts in relationship to events surrounding the Roberts case.
Bishop pleaded guilty Tuesday in Athens County Common Pleas Court to one misdemeanor count of receiving stolen property and one misdemeanor count of obstructing official business. He was arrested in Hocking County on Monday.
“Christopher Bishop purchased a Harley Davison Motorcycle from Paul J. Roberts. The owner of the motorcycle was the deceased Paul E. Roberts, the father of Paul J. Roberts,” Athens County Prosecutor Keller Blackburn said.
By pleading guilty, Bishop will be entering the Athens County Diversion Program and he also has agreed to “cooperate and testify against Paul J. Roberts who is charged with the aggravated murder of Paul E. Roberts,” Blackburn added.
Blackburn said he is primarily concerned with the State being able to build a strong murder case against Paul J. Roberts which is a more serious offense than those committed by Chief Bishop.
“As to whether Mr. Bishop’s actions will affect his position as Murray City Police Chief; that will be up to Murray City officials,” Blackburn noted.
Degarmore pleaded not guilty Tuesday to three felony counts of theft, receiving stolen property and obstructing justice.
She is being held on $125,000 bond with 10 percent being allowed to be posted for her release from the Southeastern Ohio Regional Jail. If released, she is to have no contact with Paul J. Roberts.
She was arrested at the same time as Paul J. Roberts initial arrest.