Cattle prod suspect rejects deal

SANDUSKY — It appears that the domestic violence case involving allegations of shocking children with a cattle prod will move forward to trial. Robert M. Bores, 35, 11300 block E. Ohio 113, Berlin Heights, was indicted in May on three counts of third-degree felony domestic violence and three counts of third-degree felony endangering children. Prosecutors allege that Bores "did knowingly or cause or attempt to cause physical harm" to three children. The Erie County Sheriff's Office previously stated that he allegedly used a cattle prod, an electrical device intended for use on cattle, to shock the children. During a 2:30 p.m. final plea hearing in Erie County Common Pleas Court Judge Beverly McGookey's courtroom on Tuesday, Erie County assistant prosecutor Paulette Lilly outlined the state's plea offer. The state offered Bores a prison term of three years, according to Lilly. She said the state was open to determining which charges Bores would plead guilty to. When Judge Beverly McGookey asked Bores' attorney, Jonathan McGookey — who bears no relation to the judge — if Bores would accept the deal, he said his client would consider the offer. Lilly said the deal was on the table until the end of the day Tuesday, even though Judge Beverly McGookey set a trial date of 9 a.m. on May 19. Lilly said it is her policy that once a trial date is set, all offers are withdrawn, and that the state would rely on a judge to determine sentencing if the defendant is found guilty. Even after Lilly said that Bores would likely face consecutive sentences for a total of up to 18 years, Bores was still adamant that he would think about accepting the deal. Bores rejected the offer and decided to go to trial, Lilly said late Tuesday.