Justice Center houses first capital murder suspect
Lead Summary
By
Brandy Chandler-brandychandler@gmail.com
The Highland County Justice Center is housing its first inmate facing capital murder charges since it opened in 2001, and some special precautions are in place to ensure the inmate's safety.
Wesley Coonrod Sr., 42, of Greenfield, is facing two counts of aggravated murder, with specifications they are capital cases; one charge of aggravated arson, a felony of the second degree; two counts of murder, unclassified felonies; two counts of child endangering, felonies of the third degree, following the March 7 fire in Greenfield that claimed the lives of his two sons, Thomas, 4, and Stephen, 3.
According to the Highland County Prosecutor's Office, the last time a defendant in Highland County faced a capital murder charge was in 1999.
"All the normal procedures are in place," said Highland County Sheriff Ron Ward. "We consider him a higher than normal risk than a typical inmate and we do take some special precautions. I can't reveal those precautions to the public for security reasons."
Ward said such precautions are typical for inmates facing high-level felonies, not just for someone who is facing a capital offense. He said the same precautions apply for Kermit Gipson, 22, of Greenfield, who is facing charges of murder, unclassified felony with a firearm specification; and tampering with evidence, a felony of the third degree.
In addition, the Justice Center is housing a Greenfield juvenile, Richard Washburn, 17, who has been charged as an adult and indicted on one count of aggravated robbery. Washburn has to be separated from the adult inmate population.
"We have him in a separate pod," Ward said. "There's a legal requirement that juveniles have to be separated from adult prisoners."
"We also can't house Coonrod under minimum jail standards," Ward said. "He is segregated with other felony inmates. In some cases we can commingle low-level felony and misdemeanor inmates. We don't necessary have to segregate them by themselves, but we have to be very cautious who they commingle with."
Ward said that Coonrod is afforded the same privileges as other inmates, such as visitors and outdoor recreation time.
Ward said that in a typical correctional institute environment, "threats are made sometimes, and sometimes the staff is made aware and sometimes not." Ward said he is not aware of any threats that have been made against Coonrod; however, "It is my job, while he is in custody, to keep him safe and secure while awaiting trial."
When transferring Coonrod to the Highland County Courthouse for court appearances, Ward said that special steps are taken in ensuring his safety, but for security reasons he could not disclose those precautions.
The Highland County Justice Center is housing its first inmate facing capital murder charges since it opened in 2001, and some special precautions are in place to ensure the inmate's safety.
Wesley Coonrod Sr., 42, of Greenfield, is facing two counts of aggravated murder, with specifications they are capital cases; one charge of aggravated arson, a felony of the second degree; two counts of murder, unclassified felonies; two counts of child endangering, felonies of the third degree, following the March 7 fire in Greenfield that claimed the lives of his two sons, Thomas, 4, and Stephen, 3.
According to the Highland County Prosecutor's Office, the last time a defendant in Highland County faced a capital murder charge was in 1999.
"All the normal procedures are in place," said Highland County Sheriff Ron Ward. "We consider him a higher than normal risk than a typical inmate and we do take some special precautions. I can't reveal those precautions to the public for security reasons."
Ward said such precautions are typical for inmates facing high-level felonies, not just for someone who is facing a capital offense. He said the same precautions apply for Kermit Gipson, 22, of Greenfield, who is facing charges of murder, unclassified felony with a firearm specification; and tampering with evidence, a felony of the third degree.
In addition, the Justice Center is housing a Greenfield juvenile, Richard Washburn, 17, who has been charged as an adult and indicted on one count of aggravated robbery. Washburn has to be separated from the adult inmate population.
"We have him in a separate pod," Ward said. "There's a legal requirement that juveniles have to be separated from adult prisoners."
"We also can't house Coonrod under minimum jail standards," Ward said. "He is segregated with other felony inmates. In some cases we can commingle low-level felony and misdemeanor inmates. We don't necessary have to segregate them by themselves, but we have to be very cautious who they commingle with."
Ward said that Coonrod is afforded the same privileges as other inmates, such as visitors and outdoor recreation time.
Ward said that in a typical correctional institute environment, "threats are made sometimes, and sometimes the staff is made aware and sometimes not." Ward said he is not aware of any threats that have been made against Coonrod; however, "It is my job, while he is in custody, to keep him safe and secure while awaiting trial."
When transferring Coonrod to the Highland County Courthouse for court appearances, Ward said that special steps are taken in ensuring his safety, but for security reasons he could not disclose those precautions.
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