A former Cygnet man charged with felonious assault has again rejected a plea, posted bond and is awaiting trial.
Taylor Hunter, 32, now of Burgoon, appeared April 4 in the courtroom of Wood County Common Pleas Judge Matt Reger.
Wood County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Christopher Anderson said the state’s offer was for Hunter to plead no contest to the charge of felonious assault.
The offer was rejected, said defense attorney Andrew Schuman.
Hunter was indicted in July for felonious assault, a second-degree felony, and criminal damaging or endangering, a second-degree misdemeanor.
In February, he rejected the state’s offer to amend the assault charge to a fourth-degree felony.
Reger said at that hearing the F4 charge had a presumption of community control while the F2 charge had a presumption of prison, with a potential sentence of eight-12 years.
On or about May 31, at approximately 3 a.m., Hunter was the passenger in a vehicle when he allegedly physically attacked the driver and caused damage to the vehicle.
According to court documents, Hunter allegedly punched the driver repeatedly in the face.
The driver pulled to the side of the road to defend himself when Hunger allegedly grabbed the driver’s right hand and bent the fingers backwards, trying to break them. The driver pulled back into traffic and Hunter allegedly started punching him again before grabbing the center console and ripping the top off. Hunter then got out of the car and started walking away.
The driver, who had had reconstructive surgery on his face five months previously, was treated at the hospital for a left eye socket orbital fracture.
The alleged victim was in the courtroom, Anderson said.
The alleged victim has filed a civil lawsuit against Hunter, asking for $25,000 in compensatory damages and $50,000 in punitive damages plus court costs.
Anderson asked the judge to revoke bond, reporting that Hunter had a domestic violence complaint filed against him by a potential witness. He said that in August and November, the defendant tested positive for alcohol consumption despite orders to not ingest drugs or alcohol.
He asked for a $250,000 bond.
Schuman said a person is presumed innocent until proven guilty and asked for a reasonable bond.
Reger set bond at $75,000, no 10% allowed, which Hunter posted.
The trial is scheduled to start May 10.
