Christopher Mattern appeared via video call from the Monroe County Jail for a hearing on bond. Mattern is charged with possession of cocaine, a felony in the fifth degree, and possession of a drug abuse instrument, a misdemeanor in the second degree.
The court asked the state, represented by Prosecuting Attorney Lauren Knight, if they were satisfied with the current bond.
“The state is satisfied,” Knight said. “It’s the state’s understanding that the defendant was likely having issues from drug withdrawal… Our concern is for the defendant’s health. While he’s in the jail, he’s not able to use those drugs. So we’re satisfied with bond.”
Knight said it would likely expedite the case if Mattern was willing to submit to an Ohio Risk Assessment. The risk assessment gathers information on a defendant’s likelihood of committing the crime again. The information in the assessment is not used against the defendant. It is only used to inform the prosecutor’s plea agreements and the judge’s eventual sentencing.
Public Defender Adrian Pincola addressed the court, “Back on Aug. 14, we filed a motion for intervention in lieu of conviction. The court received that motion and said that we would address that on Aug. 26… unfortunately, Mr. Mattern tested positive.” Aug. 27 Mattern was taken for medical treatment but was brought back to jail the same day, “I believe it was Mr. Mattern’s intention to seek intervention and if we need to get the Ohio Risk Assessment completed, obviously there would be no objection.”
“I have no problem going to treatment,” Mattern said. He said he had already been in counseling programs for the last three years and he was regularly testing negative for drug use up until his previous hearing.
“Well, you didn’t do so hot on the one we gave you,” Hervey said. “I’m going to leave [bond] where it is at $30,000. You probably need to check in with Family Recovery and see if they’ll do an assessment, since you’re an established client, for intervention in lieu of conviction.”
Mattern said he didn’t quite understand what was needed so Hervey explained that he needed a professional evaluation from a certified counselor that indicated Mattern is a drug dependent individual and that dependence led to the crime.
Hervey said that he would have to set it up or Mattern’s family would have to do it. Mattern said he had no way to contact his counselors from inside the jail.
“I guess that’s what you’ll have to figure out,” Hervey said.
Mattern asked if the court could do anything to help him. Hervey said the probation office would make a call and see what the organization would do but warned Mattern it may be useless if the counselor doesn’t go to the jail.
