New charges handed down in two cases
NEW PHILADELPHIA (WJER) (April 15, 2024) – Two Tuscarawas County Common Pleas Court defendants will be entering new pleas after being indicted on additional charges.
21-year-old Xavier Schott is now accused of attempted kidnapping, conspiracy, and improperly discharging a firearm for his alleged role in last October’s drive-by shooting in New Philadelphia. Those are in addition to the two counts Schott was already facing: attempted murder and felonious assault both carrying 3- and 5-year gun specifications. He remains in the county jail and is scheduled to appear before Judge Michael Ernest on Tuesday afternoon to be arraigned on the updated charges.
The other defendant now charged with additional crimes is 48-year-old John L. Tucker of Dover, who previously pleaded not guilty to rape and five other crimes for an incident in that city last November. Tucker posted bond and bailed out of jail following his arraignment but was re-arrested Friday on a superseding indictment also charging him with attempted murder, bribery, retaliation, and intimation of an attorney, victim, or witness. We don’t yet know when he will make his next court appearance.