Prosecutor studying Liverpool Township settlement

EAST LIVERPOOL Columbiana County Prosecutor Robert Herron is reviewing a private settlement reached between a Liverpool Township resident and two people who reportedly burglarized his home May 2.

Calling the reported settlement between Broadview Circle resident Gary Bonnell and two suspects "highly unusual," Herron said he first learned of the agreement from a newspaper article brought to him by Assistant Prosecutor Tim McNicol.

The May 20 article related that Bonnell, also an East Liverpool school board member, had reached an agreement with Elizabeth Bair, 19, of Masury, and James C. Blanton, 19, of Youngstown, through his attorney John Drumm.

Bonnell was quoted in the earlier article as saying the two admitted being heroin addicts and were under the influence of the drug when they burglarized his home, reportedly taking a large sum of money, three handguns, prescription medications, jewelry and other items.

Also, a safe was found on its side in the basement with various tools lying about.

A housekeeper reporting for work while the Bonnells were out of town discovered a man with a shirt over his face inside the home. Bair and Blanton were identified as the suspects two days later when they allegedly attempted to cash checks stolen from Bonnell's home and were arrested in Kent.

Herron said such an incident is considered an act against the state of Ohio, with the victim actually serving as a witness. He said his primary concern is there was an implication that law enforcement was involved in the settlement, when it was not.

"This office doesn't recognize such private agreements, and any agreement reached outside this office is not binding," Herron said, adding it is possible he will decide no charges are merited, once he reviews all aspects of the case.

Although the settlement specifically states the case is closed with no charges to be filed and no further investigation or action to be taken by the township police department, Chief Charlie Burgess said this week the case is not closed.

Saying it is not unusual for a case to be dropped or charges not filed, Burgess said any criminal agreement would have to go through the probation department, and he cannot enforce a civil agreement in any way.

"That has nothing to do with my criminal case," Burgess said, adding "There is a lot more to do with it."

The prosecutor's office is currently reviewing all records pertaining to the case, with Herron saying he also is still following up potential charges against the pair in Portage County.

jgilbert@mojonews.com