Grand theft case scheduled to proceed to trial

Trial is scheduled to proceed next week in Highland County Common Pleas Court for a Hillsboro man charged with grand theft of a vehicle.

Shane Rhoads appeared in court Wednesday before Judge Rocky Coss regarding a motion in limine filed by the state.

Represented by Assistant Highland County Prosecutor Molly Bolek, the state requested that testimony be excluded during the trial regarding the defendant's competency.

"We ask the court exclude testimony on his mental state and ability to understand the events," Bolek said.

Defense attorney Conrad Curren said that he had not intended on raising the issue during trial and that would not be a basis of the defense. Curren expressed concern about a potential witness who had allegedly made statements regarding Rhoads' previous charges and alleged activities.

Since both sides were in agreement on the issues, Coss adjourned the hearing, saying that the trial would begin at 8 a.m. Monday.

Rhoads was indicted in March on the four-degree felony charge of grand theft of a vehicle.

According to a bill of particulars filed by the state, on Jan. 27 Rhoads was at the alleged victim's home and "defendant was to pick up clothes and then leave as there is a (Civil Protection Order) against him (regarding a resident of that location)."

Rhoads allegedly asked if he could listen to the radio in the resident's car, and she "told him not to take the car keys (and then she left the room. When she returned) defendant was in her car and leaving the property. (Rhoads) was discovered on Jan. 30 in Kentucky. The vehicle ... was recovered with defendant in Kentucky," according to the bill of particulars.