Pitzer returned to prison

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WILMINGTON – A man charged with gross sexual imposition who was released from prison in April is back in jail after violating terms of his community control.

Matthew R. Pitzer, 31, of Wilmington, was charged with one count of gross sexual imposition in the third degree December 2013, registering as a Tier II sex offender, and charged to four years in prison June 2013, with 225 days of credit.

In April, Pitzer went before Clinton County Court of Common Pleas Judge John W. “Tim” Rudduck and asked to be released from prison, reading from a prepared statement. Pitzer, at the April hearing, said his crime was committed due to an “error in thinking.”

Pitzer also said at the hearing he was going to see a psychiatrist for medication to treat his mental illness, which he said caused him to commit the crime.

Pitzer was released from jail after serving two-and-a-half years. He was sentenced to five years of community control after being released from prison in April.

On Aug. 3, the state of Ohio filed a motion against Pitzer, stating that he was acting abnormally. Pitzer called the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office, saying that he heard someone being shot in the head. It was later learned that Pitzer was off his medication for five or six days, said Brian Shidaker, prosecuting attorney. After learning Pitzer was off his medication, a warrant was issued for his arrest and he was arrested Aug. 7.

“This hearing is just to determine factual (information), that you didn’t stay true to your medication terms,” Rudduck said. “Your stakes are very high because if you violated terms of your community control, the state could be asking … repositioning of your four-year prison term.”

Pitzer admitted he had been of his medication for five or six days, which went against what the court asked him to do for his community control.

“I am going to reprimand you to custody because I need you in a safe and secure environment,” Rudduck said. “The good news is, as far as I know, you haven’t violated any laws. You just violated various requirements of the court.”

Rudduck told the court he was interested in finding alternatives instead of prison for Pitzer.

“I know Gov. Kasich is looking for alternatives to folks who have mental health issues as opposed to locking them up,” he said.

The state, however, did not have any alternatives to prison time during Tuesday’s hearing.

Pitzer will stay incarcerated until his resolution hearing, which will be Sept. 2 at 10 a.m.

Lindsey Fleissner, public defender for Matthew Pitzer, speaks to her client after Tuesday’s hearing.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2015/08/web1_Pitzer.jpgLindsey Fleissner, public defender for Matthew Pitzer, speaks to her client after Tuesday’s hearing. Dylanne Petros | Wilmington News Journal

By Dylanne Petros

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