Steve R. Oliver will head to trial next week, facing up to 26 years on charges of second-degree sexual assault and terroristic threatening.
In the first division of the Union County Circuit Court on Thursday, those involved made final plans for Oliver’s trial, which will begin Tuesday. Judge Hamilton Singleton said they will make jury selection Monday and begin the trial the following day.
Oliver has been extended several plea bargain offers, all of which he has declined. The most recent offer would have included no prison time. A second-degree sexual assault charge can carry a penalty of up to 20 years in prison, while terroristic threatening can carry a sentence of up to six years.
Blair M. Coleman, who has been charged with residential burglary and three counts of theft of property, also will be facing trial soon. The prosecution extended a plea offer to Coleman, which would have placed her on probation for 10 years, but she declined.
Coleman’s case was continued until January, with trial set for the week of Jan. 22. Her defense team said they were still waiting on DNA evidence from the state crime lab. Deputy Prosecutor for the 13th Judicial District Ryan Rainwater said the crime lab has been backed up, but said they were working to finish their analysis.
“If you turn probation down, you can’t ask the jury for probation,” Singleton said to Coleman before setting the continuance. “You’re going to roll the dice on DNA.”
Coleman could face between one and 20 years in jail or prison for the theft of property charges; she faces between five and 20 years for residential burglary.
Ronald D. Jones appeared before Singleton as well. In March, Jones was arrested on charges of second-degree battery, second-degree criminal mischief, resisting arrest, criminal trespass and obstructing governmental operations. He is facing prosecution for all but the last of those charges now, according to the court docket.
Jones was found inside an abandoned building on March 14; when officers arrived and asked him to show his hands, he reportedly did not comply and began fighting them. Officers twice had to use a chemical spray to subdue him. One officer sustained abrasions to the back of his head and a cut lip during the altercation; it is unclear whether Jones sustained injuries.
Singleton ordered that Jones undergo a mental health evaluation on May 24. Jones has been in the Union County Jail since his March 14 arrest. The due date for the mental health evaluation was Aug. 15; results are still pending.
When Jones entered the courtroom, he immediately told Singleton that he had been in custody since March. Rainwater said he’d spoken with the employee of the state hospital assigned to Jones’ evaluation, who said that he was in the process of completing the paperwork. Jones was not satisfied.
Singleton continued the case to Nov. 1, the next time that was available to review Jones’ case.
“I’m just trying to get … the state hospital to comply,” Singleton told Jones, apologizing for the delay. Jones asked how much longer he would have to wait, with Singleton reiterating that Nov. 1 was the soonest they could review the case again.
“I’m suing y’all,” Jones said as he was lead from the courtroom to return to the jail.
“Okay, just be sure to spell my name right,” Singleton replied.
Caitlan Butler can be reached at [email protected] or 870-862-6611.