Man who stabbed brother pleads guilty

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

A man accused of knifing his brother changed his plea Wednesday, while five people were sentenced during hearings held in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court.

Caleb Mech, 26, of Van Wert, changed his plea to guilty to a charge of aggravated assault, a fourth-degree felony offense. Mech had originally entered a not guilty plea to the offense, which stems from the stabbing of his brother, Isaac, behind CJ Sidepockets on North Washington Street on June 6.

Caleb Mech stabbed his brother in the neck during an altercation behind the local bar. Isaac Mech was later life-flighted to Lutheran Hospital of Indiana in Fort Wayne, Ind., where he was listed in critical condition. He was originally charged with felonious assault, a second-degree felony, but that was later downgraded to aggravated assault by the Van Wert County Grand Jury.

A presentence investigation was ordered by Judge Charles D. Steele, who continued a $500,000 bond, 10 percent of which is to be paid in cash. Sentencing was scheduled for 9 a.m. Wednesday, September 19.

Meanwhile, Rebecca Smith, 23, of Lima, was arraigned on a charge of aggravated assault, in connection with Mech’s stabbing of his brother. She entered a not guilty plea and a pretrial conference was set for 8 a.m. Wednesday, August 8. A $1,000 bond, with 10 percent to be paid in cash, was set in the case, along with a personal surety bond.

A second Van Wert man changed his plea on a charge of failure to register as a sex offender, a fourth-degree felony, as well as four counts of violation of a civil protection order, all fifth-degree felonies.

Judge Steele accepted the guilty pleas from Allan Pierce, 45.

A presentence investigation was ordered and sentencing scheduled for 9 a.m. September 19.

Four people were also sentenced during hearings held Wednesday.

Steven Parsons, 33, of Van Wert, was given three years of community control on one count each of theft and forgery. The charges are both fifth-degree felony offenses.

Parsons was also ordered to pay $119 in restitution to the victim, while a 1999 Jeep used in the offenses was ordered forfeited to the state. He was also ordered to undergo a substance abuse assessment and complete any recommended programs.

Jeffrey Garwood, 49, of Van Wert, was given three years of community control on two counts of trafficking in drugs, both fourth-degree felony offenses.

Judge Steele also suspended Garwood’s license for six months and ordered him to undergo a substance abuse assessment.

Corey Robinson, 33, of Van Wert, received three years of community control on a charge of attempted having weapons under disability, a fourth-degree felony offense. Robinson was ordered to spend six months in jail, with work release, and also undergo a substance abuse assessment. He was also ordered to have to no contact with Jason Mitchell and was given nine days credit for time served while awaiting sentencing.

Tina Means, 44, of Cincinnati, was given a year of community control on a charge of attempted unauthorized use of a credit card, a first-degree misdemeanor. She was also ordered to pay $26 in restitution to the victim in the case.