Local man wants Bailey freed

SANDUSKY — Shaun Bickley is a man on a mission: He hopes to persuade local officials to free attorney K. Ron Bailey from the Erie County jail.The Ohio Supreme Court spoke to the issue on Wednesday and it normally is the court of last resort in the state. The justices upheld Bailey's 30-day contempt jail sentence, and the veteran Market Street attorney remained incarcerated at the Erie County jail on Thursday.Bailey was taken into custody Monday to serve his sentence, which is scheduled to run through the holidays through Jan. 9.Common Pleas Judge Roger Binnette found Bailey in contempt in October 2016 after Bailey, the defense counsel for a man accused of felony sexual assault charges, refused to participate in the trial after the judge refused to grant Bailey a delay.Bailey, through his son, attorney Ken Bailey, appealed the contempt filing and asked for a stay in the sentence. But the Supreme Court refused. Chief Justice Maureen O'Connor and justices Terrence O'Donnell, Judith L. French and R. Patrick DeWine agreed to deny the motion. Justices Patrick F. Fischer and Sharon L. Kennedy dissented, and Justice William M. O'Neill did not participate.Bickley contends Judge Binette won the court case, but there's simply no point in continuing to keep Bailey behind bars. "I'm talking to anyone who'll listen. This is just wrong," Bickely told the Register.He said he spoke with Judge Tygh Tone and Sheriff Paul Sigsworth, but both men said Bailey's stay behind bars is under Binette's jurisdiction. Bickley said he hoped to talk with Binette on Thursday. "There's just no sense in keeping a 71-year-old man in jail," Bickley said. "The judge has made his point. Now it's time to release him." Bickley, a local businessman who owns the Cove marina in Sandusky and other businesses, said Bailey was his attorney years ago when he faced some serious issues and he helped Bickley turn his life around."He helps people as a defense attorney. He helped me, incredibly," Bickley said. "But he also just helps people in general. He's a good man and Judge Binette should free him now."It's time to suspend the remainder of Bailey's sentence and let him enjoy Christmas with his family, Bickley said.Binette spoke with the Register Thursday evening and said he hasn't considered suspending the remainder of Bailey's sentence and has not spoken to Bickley."What he did was pretty egregious to the court system," Binette said. "What he did in the courtroom I would sanction anyone for that type of behavior. Whether I like them or don't like them it doesn't matter. I try to do what I believe is right and just." *Reporter Brandon Addeo contributed to this article.Shaun Bickley Judge Roger BinetteRichard Mick, on trial for sex crimes, sits with the defense team at the Erie County Court of Common Pleas on Thursday as the judge hears arguments toward a possible mistrial after lead attorney K. Ronald Bailey said he would not be participating in trial proceedings. Judge Roger Binette denied requests for a mistrial.