Romiere Hale listens in Judge Kohlrieser’s courtroom.
LIMA — A pre-trial was held in the court of Judge Teri Kohlrieser in the case of Romiere Hale.
On April 12, 2021 the Lima Police were dispatched at 2:08 p.m. to 535 N. Elizabeth St. in reference to a report of an unresponsive child. Officers located a 4-year-old inside the residence. The child was taken to a local hospital where medical personnel attempted life saving measures but were unsuccessful.
Attorneys have been discussing a potential plea negotiation and wanted to make it official in court proceedings.
On December 17, 2021 there was an offer made to previous counsel and the same offer was made to the current counsel and has, up to this point, been rejected.
Prosecutor Juergen Waldick explained that the offer would be to plead guilty one count of endangering children, a second degree felony; to one count of murder, a first degree felony; to child endangering, a third degree felony; and to a second count of child endangering, a second degree felony.
Counts dropped would be one involuntary manslaughter, felony 1; one endangering children, felony 2; and four counts of endangering children, felony 3.
The defendant has until September 30, 2022 to accept the plea deal. Trial is scheduled October 31, 2022 in the Common Pleas Courtroom of Judge Terri Kohlrieser.
Third-degree felonies carry penalties of one to five years in prison in Ohio with a fine up to $10,000 dollars. Second-degree felonies are punishable by two to eight years in jail and a fine up to $15,000 dollars. First-degree felonies are punishable by up to 11 years in jail or more, depending on the circumstances of the case. Fines may be as high as $20,000 dollars. While a felony, murder does not fall under the punishment guidelines of first-, second- or third-degree murder but is instead punishable by 15 years to life imprisonment, or even death for aggravated murder.
Reach Dean Brown at 567-242-0409
