Possibility of life in prison prompts O’Donnell plea
Heather O’Donnell, left, and Patrick O’Donnell, center, turn to defense attorney Dennis Pergram before Patrick was led out of the Logan County Common Pleas Court on Wednesday. He pleaded guilty to a single count of gross sexual imposition with Alford conditions. He was lodged in the Logan County Jail pending his sentencing. (EXAMINER PHOTOS | JOEL E. MAST)
Possible sentences of life in prison and freedom for his wife swayed former Indian Lake superintendent Patrick O’Donnell to accept a plea deal Wednesday just before trials were set to commence.
His guilty plea with Alford conditions to a single count of gross sexual imposition cleared the way for Logan County Prosecutor Eric Stewart to drop other charges against O’Donnell and his wife, Heather.
“We talked with the victim, her family and her counselor about the plea,” Stewart said, “and they all agreed it was best to resolve the case without a trial. “There are so many factors at play with this case, particularly family relationships, that we fought our hardest to protect the victim.
“Her welfare was our foremost concern.”
Stewart noted counselors who treat abused children say the children want their abusers held accountable, and Wednesday’s plea will do that, especially with Patrick O’Donnell’s classification as a Tier II sex offender.
“They say it (having to register) goes a long way to helping the victim heal,” Stewart said.
The victim’s father released a statement expressing his gratitude for the work of prosecutors, law enforcement and children’s services.
He said, “We are happy there was a resolution to this case. As a father, I am glad that my daughter is protected and Logan County Prosecutor Eric Stewart did a wonderful job keeping in contact with us for the duration of this case.”
Patrick O’Donnell, 52, was indicted on four counts of first-degree felony rape, four counts of second-degree felony sexual battery, five counts of third-degree felony gross sexual imposition and one count of fourth-degree felony gross sexual imposition.
He allegedly fondled and digitally penetrated a girl over a period time in his Indian Lake-area home and vacation residence.
Heather M. O’Donnell, 47, was charged with two counts of third-degree felony child endangering and those charges are now dismissed.
Heather O’Donnell fights back tears as Logan County Common Pleas Judge William T. Goslee explains to a jury why the cases against her and her husband, Patrick O’Donnell, were resolved without trials.
Defense attorney Samuel Shamansky, who represented Patrick O’Donnell, said after the plea the prospect of facing life in prison if convicted of rape made it hard for his client to go ahead with a trial.
He believes the agreement is fair and equitable for all parties and protects the victim from having to take the stand.
Heather O’Donnell was represented by Dennis L. Pergram and he declined to comment on the plea.
He also represents Patrick O’Donnell in a wrongful termination lawsuit against Indian Lake Local School District.
The district fired him after his arrest in June and O’Donnell claimed the board did it without justification.
Pergram said the future of that case remains unclear. A status conferences has been set for 9 a.m. Wednesday.
Heather O’Donnell was placed on unpaid leave as superintendent of the Midwest Regional Educational Service Center.
A call was made to the agency and message was left seeking comment about her future.
During Wednesday’s plea, Patrick O’Donnell acknowledged to Logan County Common Pleas Judge William T. Goslee that he changed his mind to avoid the severe penalties associated with the rape charges and that it would free his wife from further prosecution.
Through his Alford plea, O’Donnell contends he is innocent but the prosecution has enough evidence to convict him of gross sexual imposition.
There is no underlying sentencing agreement with the plea and Judge Goslee can impose a maximum of five years in prison.
O’Donnell will have to register his address for 25 years as a Tier II offender and will lose his education credentials.
Judge Goslee has yet to set a sentencing date.
Stewart said he was ready to go ahead with the trial and that the victim was ready as well.
He noted the victim, now 14, had remained very consistent in her recounting of the allegations and that she had passed a polygraph examination early on.
“We firmly believed in the victim from the very beginning of the investigation,” Stewart said, “and we were very careful in developing the case.
“She passed her polygraph and Patrick O’Donnell did not. Those results had a huge impact on my office pursuing the charges.”