Former Indian Lake superintendent Patrick O’Donnell has entered a plea to gross sexual imposition in a plea deal that will allow his wife Heather O’Donnell to escape further prosecution.
Patrick O’Donnell, center, and Heather O’Donnell enter the Logan County Common Pleas Court after a break in Tuesday’s jury selection process. (EXAMINER PHOTO | JOEL E. MAST)
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Statement of victim’s father The father of the female victim in the Patrick O’Donnell case released a statement Wednesday, saying, “My family and I would like to thank Logan County Children’s Services, Chief Rick Core and the Washington Township Police Department, the Logan County Sheriff’s Office and the court staff for their outpouring of support during this difficult time, along with the countless friends in the community and family who have called, reached out, prayed for, and supported us. “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 in the duration of this case. “One thing my family has learned from this, is that if you are a victim of abuse, do not be afraid to speak up. You have rights and will be protected, and don’t be afraid to reach out to children’s services or the local law enforcement.” |
He entered an Alford plea Wednesday to the third-degree felony as a trial was set to get under way in which he was facing 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.
The Alford plea allows Patrick O’Donnell, 52, to enter a guilty plea without formally admitting his guilt. He will, however, be sentenced under normal conditions for the sex crime, which has a mandatory sex offender registration requirement.
Heather O’Donnell, 47, the superintendent of the Midwest Regional Educational Service Center, faced two counts of third-degree felony child endangering. She had been placed on unpaid administrative leave pending the outcome of the case.
Earlier story:
O’Donnell jury seated after 11 hours
It took 11 hours to seat a jury for the dual trials of Patrick and Heather O’Donnell, embattled local school administrators accused respectively of rape and child endangering.
To fill the jury, 75 resident registered voters were called to serve. Some did not show and others were excused from service.
The others started the day with supplement questionnaires and the morning was spent with attorneys and Logan County Common Pleas Judge William T. Goslee going over the answers in chambers.
At times, perspective jurors were called in for clarification of answers.
By 2 p.m., the process of selecting a jury from the remaining pool of 49 started in earnest with Logan County Prosecutor Eric Stewart using eight peremptory challenges, with defense attorneys Dennis L. Pergram using his allotment of four and Samuel H. Shamansky using three.
The jury of eight men and four women was seated by 7:30 p.m. and two alternates, a man and woman, were selected within 20 minutes.
The trials got underway at 10 a.m. today.
Patrick O’Donnell, 52, has been 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, faces two counts of third-degree felony child endangering.
She allegedly knew of the abuse and did not act to protect the victim even though she was in a position to do so.
Patrick O’Donnell has been fired as superintendent of the Indian Lake Local School District, while Heather is on unpaid leave as superintendent of the Midwest Regional Educational Service Center.
The victim in the case was 13 at the time the allegations surfaced in June.