Accused cop shooter decides to stick with lawyer

NEWARK - Thursday, Randall Hutchison wanted to represent himself. Twenty-six hours later, he changed his mind and decided he wanted to stick with his lawyer after all.

The drama unfolded after Hutchison's attorney, Assistant Ohio Public Defender Kirk McVay, requested a status conference because Hutchison was refusing to meet with him to discuss the case.

Licking County Prosecutor Ken Oswalt said Hutchison had written and sent him a letter last week. In the letter, Hutchison said if Oswalt rejected a plea agreement proposed by Hutchison, he would make sure the case was continued past the scheduled Oct. 18 trial date.

"The defendant has clearly endeavored to manipulate the court system," Oswalt told Judge David Branstool. "He's maneuvering ... to delay things."

Hutchison responded in court by saying prosecutors have manipulated evidence against him and told witnesses how  to testify. He then said he never pointed a firearm at Newark Police Officer Doug Bline and that he had dropped the gun before Bline struck him with an unmarked police vehicle.

Hutchison is accused of pointing the firearm at Bline minutes after allegedly shooting and injuring Officer Jarrod Conley, following a traffic stop on North 11th Street on Nov. 5, 2014.

Branstool told Hutchison the case had been pending for long enough and reminded him that he had been appointed "three very good lawyers" to represent him.

Hutchison responded with an expletive-laced phrase and indicated he wanted to represent himself, saying his constitutional rights had been violated and he had no rights. He also said he planned to file an affidavit with the Ohio Supreme Court asking for Branstool's removal from the case, though he said he had not filed the document yet.

Branstool cautioned Hutchison about his tone and demeanor multiple times, reminding him that Branstool could have him removed from the courtroom during the hearing and during the trial if he continued to be disruptive.

Friday, Hutchison apologized to Branstool for his outburst and said he was frustrated.

"It's been two years and I just want it to be over with," he said.

Branstool said he understood and accepted the apology, before saying trial was still scheduled to begin Oct. 18.

Hutchison's trial has been continued at least three times since charges were first officially filed in February 2015.

Hutchison is charged with two counts of felonious assault on a peace officer, as well as firearm specifications on those charges. He faces additional charges of violation of a protection order, improper handling of firearms in a motor vehicle, forgery and possession of criminal tools.