Ragin’s bond hearing postponed
The bond hearing for John H. Ragin Jr. was postponed today to give the Portage County prosecutor’s office time to see if it will pursue a murder charge against Ragin following the death of John T. White.
White, who was assaulted in downtown Kent on Jan. 23, died Feb. 21.
Ragin originally faced a charge of felonious assault, a second-degree felony, for his alleged role in the attack. Hallie E. Nuspl was also charged with one count of obstructing official business, a fifth-degree felony, and one count of misdemeanor assault.
Stephen Michniak, Portage County assistant prosecutor, said the prosecutor’s office is waiting on the Summit County Coroner’s autopsy report, which will be submitted to the grand jury prior to Ragin’s arraignment.
There is no update available from the Summit County Coroner’s Office on the status of when the autopsy report will be ready.
Michniak said the bond hearing will take place during the arraignment, which is yet to be determined.
He said Ragin’s defense attorney, Danny James Weisenburger, is stepping down and will be replaced by James L. Burdon.
Following Ragin’s arraignment, Michniak said the trial is likely to start during the first week of June.
–Anthony Holloway