Standoff suspect to remain locked up without bond
NEW PHILADELPHIA (WJER) (Sept. 20, 2022) – The Oxford Township man facing felony charges for an hours-long stand-off with sheriff’s deputies that resulted in him being shot made another court appearance this morning.
36-year-old John Mozena III, who goes by Phillip, waived his right to contest the state’s motion to keep him in jail without bond when he appeared before Tuscarawas County Common Pleas Court Judge Michael Ernest.
Mozena is charged with attempted murder, felonious assault, and unlawful possession of dangerous ordnance for the August 3rd standoff near Newcomerstown that started as a mental health call. Sheriff’s detective Lt. Adam Fisher says Mozena was discharged from the Akron Hospital where he was being treated as they were preparing the charges but made arrangements to turn himself in when they called him.
“He had left the hospital… entered a friend’s vehicle as a passenger, and they were traveling to a place where he was going to stay in another county. So that was his original intention until we made contact.”
Mozena previously pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity and was ordered to undergo a psychological evaluation. His public defender and prosecutors will meet with Ernest on October 1st to discuss the case and schedule further proceedings.