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photo by Jessica St. James
At left, Tom Wilcox stands before Judge Donald R. Capper with his court appointed attorney Mike Gleichauf in Lawrence County Municipal Court Friday morning. Due to the severity of the crimes, which includes attempted murder, a $10 million bond was recommended by Ohio Attorney General’s Office representative Emily Laube, at right.
Judge sets Wilcox bond at $10M
Preliminary hearing set for June 19
Originally published 11:01 a.m., June 12, 2009
Updated 08:17 a.m., June 13, 2009
CHESAPEAKE — It will take $10 million for Tom Wilcox to get out of jail.
Wilcox, 38, of Ironton, was arraigned Friday in Lawrence County Municipal Court on charges stemming from the April 29 attack on his estranged wife, Amy Wilcox, who died from her injuries Friday evening.
Tom Wilcox stood with his chin down as Judge Donald R. Capper read the list of charges against him: felonious assault, aggravated burglary, aggravated arson and the most serious of all, attempt to commit aggravated murder. All are first-degree felonies except for the felonious assault charge. The charges are expected to be modified to murder.
Capper asked if Wilcox understood the charges and if he had hired a lawyer.
“I tried but I couldn’t get one to take my case,” Wilcox said in a low voice. Capper asked if Wilcox had any savings and could he afford to hire an attorney. Wilcox said he had some money saved but because he is not working at this time, Capper appointed Mike Gleichauf to represent Wilcox and scheduled a preliminary hearing for 2 p.m. June 19. He then asked Emily Laube of the Ohio Attorney General’s Office for her recommendation on bond.
“Because of the severity of the crimes, we recommend $10 million,” Laube replied. Capper told Wilcox he could post the $10 million as either cash or surety.
The attempted murder charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine; the assault charge carries of maximum penalty of eight years in prison and a $15,000 fine; the aggravated burglary charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $20,00 fine; the arson charge carries a 10 year prison sentence and a $20,000 fine.
Wilcox appeared in a grey and white stripe jail uniform under heavy security. Before the arraignment began, Bailiff Janet Woodard twice admonished those in the courtroom to refrain from any outbursts during the proceeding.
Wilcox is accused of going to his estranged wife’s Perry Township house and assaulting her and then setting a fire. Amy Wilcox died from her injuries Friday. Tom Wilcox was hospitalized in Louisville, Ky., after the incident but was discharged from the hospital last week. He was first taken to a detention center in Louisville but then brought to Lawrence County earlier this week.
The Wilcox case was supposed to have been presented to the grand jury this week but that was postponed.
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Comments
Posted by osu (anonymous) on June 12, 2009 at 12:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I would like one thing cleared up. Why isn't the Lawrence County Prosecuting Attorney's Office prosecuting this case? Is it normal for the Ohio Attorney General's Office to intervene?
Posted by Vil (anonymous) on June 12, 2009 at 12:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It was mentioned in an earlier article that J.B. Collier represented Tom Wilcox during his divorce proceedings and that another lawyer in the Prosecutor's Office represented Amy Wilcox in her divorce hearing.
Collier made the decision to bring the Ohio Attorney General's Office in due to those reasons, and I applaud him for doing the right thing in this case.
Posted by beitthetruth (anonymous) on June 12, 2009 at 12:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
10 million? Its about time. But it will be revoked very soon. To Amy's Family, I am so sorry for what you are going through especially today. My thought and prayers are with you especially Trevor and Emily. Somehow you will get through this tragedy and although we dont know why these things have to happen be it the truth in knowing justice will be served. Amy you always have a special place in my heart. LOVE YOU! I will see you again.
Posted by TeacherinOhio (anonymous) on June 12, 2009 at 12:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I am wondering the same thing, OSU.
I have one thing to say about this case, "an eye for an eye".
Posted by TeacherinOhio (anonymous) on June 12, 2009 at 12:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Thanks for the info, Vil.
Revoked? Why....beinthetruth?
Posted by osu (anonymous) on June 12, 2009 at 2:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Thanks Vil. I didn't even know about this case. Must have been out of town when it happened.
Kudos to Collier and all for letting OAG handle it.
Posted by 4victims (anonymous) on June 12, 2009 at 3:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Collier is a joke. He seems to pick and choose who he goes after. I agree with eye for an eye on everything that happens. Ever notice that if the prosecutor wants a slam dunk, he does it himself. But if he is afraid to get involved, he passes it on to someone else.
What goes around comes around...GOD has a way of looking after his own. Amy, we love you and will see you in heaven.
God help the family get through this.
Posted by formerCGresident (anonymous) on June 12, 2009 at 3:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Why don't you posters read the freaking articles or the previous postings? Collier has a MAJOR conflict of interest in this case. Like him or not, he did the right thing by bringing in the OAG. Please stop posting stupid comments unless you have all the facts!
Posted by Vil (anonymous) on June 12, 2009 at 3:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
4victims is against Collier, all of that person's postings involving Collier have been nothing but negative.
There are some people I don't agree with, but when they do the right thing you have to be enough of a person to at least agree that they made the right decision.
Posted by osu (anonymous) on June 12, 2009 at 3:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I also believe Collier and the other attorney would have fallen under the Ohio Ethics Commission and would have been required to preclude the office from handling this case.
Posted by falinrok (anonymous) on June 12, 2009 at 6:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I think its time to dust off old smoky !
Posted by Vil (anonymous) on June 12, 2009 at 6:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The count of attempted murder just got bumped up to Murder in the First Degree.
Considering the Ohio AG is prosecuting, I wonder if they'll go for the death penalty?
Posted by MasterChef (anonymous) on June 12, 2009 at 7:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Well, you all know I'm no JB fan, but this time he did it right. Using the OAG is best for all concerned. And, I agree. Lets keep our focus on Amy's family for now.
Posted by cashmere (anonymous) on June 13, 2009 at 11:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)
And let's hope the trial is fair and all rights observed, because it would be awful if any rendered verdicts are appealed due to technicalities.
But at the same time I believe, "Vengeance is mine, saith the Lord, I will repay"., no matter what the result.
Amy is at peace, with no more pain. Her legacy is her children, and they will reap the wonderful consequences of having her for a mother.
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