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Posted: 12:07 PM Sep 28, 2009
Change of Venue Request Denied in Lawrence County Murder Case
A judge has ruled that Tom Wilcox’s murder trial will remain in Lawrence County, Ohio.
Reporter: WSAZ News StaffEmail Address: news@wsaz.com |
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UPDATE 9/28
IRONTON, Ohio (WSAZ) -- A judge has ruled that Tom Wilcox’s murder trial will remain in Lawrence County, Ohio.
Back in August, Wilcox’s attrorney requested a change of venue in the case.
That motion was denied during a hearing on Friday. The judge also ruled on several other motions.
Wilcox is charged with assaulting his estranged wife Amy, and then setting her on fire at her home back in April. She died at a Cincinnati hospital in June.
UPDATE: 8/26
IRONTON, Ohio (WSAZ) -- Although the bandages have been removed, the burn scars were still visible as Thomas Wilcox walked into Lawrence County, Ohio Common Pleas Court Wednesday morning.
Wilcox is charged with assaulting his estranged wife Amy, and then setting her on fire at her home back in April. She died at a Cincinnati hospital in June.
Thomas Wilcox was also burned in that fire.
Attorneys for the defense have filed more than 80 motions in this case. Prosecutor Paul Scardelli of the Attorney General's office say most of these motions are typical in a death sentence case.
Scardelli says one of the motions is for a change of venue, which will be challeged by his office.
During Wednesday's hearing, both the prosecution and the defense asked for additional time to work through the motions and have agreed to meet back in court on Sept. 16 at 11 a.m. to evaluate where the case stands.
Update: Thursday, 8/6
IRONTON, Ohio (WSAZ) –The Ironton man charged with killing his estranged wife was in court Wednesday for a pre-trial hearing.
Thomas Wilcox faces charges of aggravated murder, aggravated arson, aggravated burglary, domestic violence and child endangerment in the murder of Amy Wilcox back on April 30th.
During the hearing, Wilcox’s attorneys said they plan to file a number of motions in the next week, including one for a change of venue in the case.
The next pre-trial hearing is set for August 26. At that time, the judge is expected to rule on some of those motions.
Update: Thursday, 6/18
IRONTON, Ohio (WSAZ) -- A special Lawrence County grand jury has returned a seven count indictment against Thomas Wilcox in connection with the death of his estranged wife, Amy.
Wilcox was indicted on charges of aggravated murder, aggravated arson, aggravated burglary, domestic violence and child endangerment.
WEB EXTRA: click on the document link above to read the full indictment.
If convicted on the aggravated murder charge, he could face the death penalty.
Wilcox was arraigned Thursday afternoon in Lawrence County Common Pleas Court.
He pleaded not guilty to all the charges. His bond will remain at $10 million.
A pre-trial is set for July 1.
The judge approved Wilcox's request to not have his face shown on TV during the hearing.
The Ohio Attorney General's Special Prosecution Unit is handling the case.
Keep clicking on WSAZ.com for more information.
Update: Wednesday, 6/17
IRONTON, Ohio (WSAZ) -- The Lawrence County, Ohio, Prosecuting Attorney's Office tells WSAZ.com that a special grand jury is scheduled to convene Thursday in Ironton to consider charges against Tom Wilcox.
Funeral arrangements for Amy Wilcox are now set.
Her funeral will take place at Dawson-Bryant High School Friday afternoon at 1 p.m.
Her visitation will start at 10 a.m. at the school.
Update on Friday, 6/12
CINCINNATI, Ohio (WSAZ) -- The Community Missionary Baptist Church announced Friday evening that Amy Wilcox died.
Wilcox was the victim of a fire at her home in Deering in Lawrence County on April 30th. Her estranged husband is accused of setting the fire. He appeared in court on Friday.
Wilcox was 38 years old.
WSAZ.com spoke with Lawrence County Sheriff Jeff Lawless Friday evening. He said the Ohio Attorney General's Office will file new charges early next week.
Lawless said it will be up to the Attorney General's office to decide the new charges, but it could be a charge of aggravated murder. In Ohio, aggravated murder charges could lead to the death penalty.
Update on Friday, 6/12
CHESAPEAKE, Ohio (WSAZ) -- The man accused of setting his estranged wife on fire made his first court appearance Friday morning under a heavy police presence.
On Wednesday, Tom Wilcox was returned to Lawrence County, Ohio, to face charges of attempted murder, arson, aggravated burglary and felonious assault.
Amy Wilcox is still in a Cincinnati hospital burn unit where she is reported to be in critical condition.
Tom Wilcox was also burned in the fire. He had been in a Louisville hospital until Wednesday when he was returned to Lawrence County.
Wilcox was arraigned on the charges during a hearing in Lawrence County Ohio Municipal Court in Chesapeake. Wilcox had bandages from his hands up to the mid-part of both arms. His fingernails were black and his hands had noticeable scars from burns.
Judge Donald Caper set his bond at $10 million. His preliminary hearing is set for June 19th at 2 p.m.
Nine Sheriff's Deputies lined the courtroom during the hearing.
According to the criminal complaint, Thomas Wilcox entered Amy Wilcox' residence with containers of gasoline, while Amy and her 11-year-old daughter were asleep.
The complaint says Mr. Wilcox then set fire to Amy with the gasoline.
As a result, Amy Wilcox sustained 2nd and 3rd degree burns to 90 percent of her body.
UPDATE: 6/11
Lawrence County, Ohio Sheriff Jeff Lawless tells WSAZ.com that Tom Wilcox was returned to Lawrence County, Ohio around 6pm Wednesday night.
Lawless say Wilcox was booked on the charges he faces in the county, then transferred to the Scioto County Jail.
Lawless says that jail is better able to handle Wilcox's injuries.
Prosecutors say a special grand jury that was expected to convene this week to hear evidence in the case did not meet.
We were told they are waiting to get more information on Amy's condition.
Tom Wilcox will be arraigned in Lawrence County Municipal Court at 9am Friday.
UPDATE: 6/9
According her church's (Community Missionary Baptist Church) website, Amy's condition is now extremely critical.
They say her wounds are so severe they are overcoming her ability to heal.
Amy is being treated for her injuries and burns at a Cincinnati hospital.
The website was updated Monday night.
UPDATE: 6/8
IRONTON, Ohio (WSAZ) -- The man accused of beating his estranged wife and then setting a fire that left her seriously burned is out of the hospital and now in jail.
Tom Wilcox is charged with attempted murder, arson, felonious assault and aggravated burglary.
Investigators say Wilcox tried to kill Amy Wilcox at her home near Deering in Lawrence County, Ohio, back on April 30.
Amy Wilcox remains in serious condition in the burn unit of a Cincinnati hospital.
Lawrence County, Ohio Sheriff Jeff Lawless tells WSAZ.com that Tom Wilcox was released from a Louisville, Ky., hospital on Friday and immediately transferred to the Louisville Metropolitan Detention Center.
Sheriff Lawless says Mr. Wilcox was in the hospital being treated for burns he suffered in the fire.
Lawless says that Wilcox waived extradition back to Lawrence County during a hearing in Louisville Monday..
The Sheriff now has 10-days to bring him back to Lawrence County.
He expects that to happen this week.
Lawless also tells WSAZ.com that the case could go to the grand jury later this week.
UPDATE: 5/16
DEERING, OHIO (WSAZ) -- Friends and family gathered Saturday to raise money to help Amy Wilcox heal after she was allegedly set on fire.
Police say her husband, Tom Wilcox tried to kill her by setting her on fire.
Saturday Coal Grove High School set the stage for a major fundraiser to help cover her medical bills. According to her friends her insurance doesn't cover arson.
90% of her body is burned.
Saturday was a chance to write Amy cards, place bids in an auction and enjoy sweets at a fundraiser bake sale.
Amy is at a burn unit in Cincinnati.
UPDATE: Friday, May 15th
IRONTON, Ohio (WSAZ) -- New charges have been filed against the man investigators say started a fire that badly burned his estranged wife last month.
Lawrence County Sheriff Jeff Lawless says Tom Wilcox is now charged with attempted murder, aggravated burglary and arson.
He was originally charged with felonious assault. He was also burned in the fire and is currently in a hospital in Louisville.
Amy Wilcox has burns to 90 percent of her body. She remains in the burn unit at a hospital in Cincinnati.
UPDATE: Thursday 11:19 p.m.
IRONTON, Ohio (WSAZ) - Lawrence County Sheriff Jeff Lawless told WSAZ.com late Thursday Tom Wilcox is being charged with felonious assault.
Lawless said Mr. Wilcox is responsible for the arson at his estranged wife Amy's house late Wednesday.
Amy Wilcox remains in critical condition at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center late Thursday, according to a close friend.
Tom Wilcox was taken to a hospital in Louisville, Ky.
Hundreds came to Thursday's prayer service at Amy's church, Community Missionary Baptist Church in Deering, Ohio.
UPDATE: Thursday 3:15 p.m.
IRONTON, Ohio (WSAZ) -- Coal Grove native Amy Wilcox is in critical condition at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center's burn unit after she and a man were injured in a house fire Wednesday night.
Wilcox sustained burns to 90 percent of her body, according to family friend Donna Blair.
The fire happened just after 11:00 p.m. Wednesday just off Township Road 253 East, near Deering Elementary.
"We're just asking for prayers," Blair said. "(Doctors said) the next 48 hours will be the hardest for her."
Wilcox has two children, Trevor, 15, and Emily, 11.
She teaches special education at Collins Career Center in Chesapeake and is in the process of obtaining her Master's degree from Marshall University.
There will be a prayer service at Community Missionary Baptist Church Thursday at 7 p.m.
Investigators say the other person in the hospital is the suspect in the fire. They say the 38-year-old man left the fire scene and was taken to an Ashland hospital by private vehicle. He was then flown to another Kentucky hospital.
The sheriff has also not released his name or condition.
Lawrence County Sheriff Jeff Lawless was not available for comment Thursday afternoon.
Original Story:
IRONTON, Ohio (WSAZ) - Two people are in the hospital following a fire that the Lawrence County, Ohio, Sheriff's Office says was intentionally set.
The fire happened just after 11:00 p.m. Wednesday just off Township Road 253 East, near Deering Elementary.
The sheriff's office says a 38-year-old woman was injured in the fire. As of Thursday morning, she is in a Cincinnati hospital. Investigators have not released her name or condition.
Investigators say the other person in the hospital is the suspect in the fire. They say the 38-year-old man left the fire scene and was taken to an Ashland hospital by private vehicle. He was then flown to another Kentucky hospital.
The sheriff has also not released his name or condition.
The State Fire Marshal's office says both people were seriously injured.
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Latest Comments
My Thoughts and Prayers go out to the whole entire family. May the lord give you and the family peace and healing. I pray that God comfort and heal everyones pain. My heart goes out to all of you especially the children. God bless you Amy's Family.
TOO,(JL)....AUNT SUSIE LOVES EVERY BODY EVEN YOU!
I am so sorry for Amy's family. I hope the kids can learn to deal with what their father has done and understand that in NO WAY does it affect who they are. I know a lot about Tom and have a lot in common with the children. I won't post in public but if any of the family ever wishes to know the things I know feel free to contact me. Please know my thoughts and prayers are with the family.
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