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YOUNGSTOWN -- Though a hearing was set for Monday to hear testimony on whether evidence should be suppressed in the case of a Sebring man charged with nine counts of rape involving two alleged victims, the hearing was not necessary.
Judge John Durkin of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court said he would rule in the coming weeks.
Michael Vanhorn, 36, of Lake Park Boulevard, is accused of raping a juvenile eight times between 2014 and 2021. Those charges could result in Vanhorn getting a life prison sentence if convicted.
He is also indicted on another count of rape alleging an offense in November through December 2022 against another juvenile victim. And, he is indicted on charges of corrupting another with drugs, unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, contributing to the delinquency of a child and failure to comply with underage drinking laws.
Durkin and the attorneys in the case agreed Monday that the parties had submitted sufficient information in their filings, and the judge could make his decision without hearing testimony.
Defense attorney Tom Zena asked that statements Vanhorn is alleged to have made to an investigator with the Mahoning County Sheriff's Office Dec. 30, 2022, be suppressed in Vanhorn's trial. Zena said the statements were made "without proper notification to the defendant of his constitutional rights and potential effect that a statement could have on a trial of this action."
But in addition to the filings, Durkin also has a DVD of the interview Vanhorn gave to the investigator, and a transcript of the statements made, Zena said.
"A formal argument would add nothing to the information the court would need to proceed unless the court feels it is necessary," Zena said.
Zena noted that an evaluation to determine whether Vanhorn was sane at the time of the alleged offenses has ether been completed or will be soon.
The judge also will rule later on a defense motion to separate the trial into two parts -- one part for each alleged victim.