Doctor rejects rape suspect's insanity plea

PORT CLINTON — A Graytown man who previously entered a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity to sex crimes was recently deemed competent enough to stand trial by a doctor. Zane B. Willis, 21, 1800 block N. Walker St., previously entered the plea at a pre-trial hearing on April 22. On July 24, the court reviewed the results of his evaluation, which was conducted on July 9 by Dr. Chelsea Howe at the Court Diagnostic and Treatment Center in Toledo. Howe said that based on her review of all the background material, including police reports, court filings and Willis' evaluation itself. Howe stated that Willis knew the "wrongfulness of his acts" and that he does not meet the legal criteria for a not guilty by reason of insanity plea. However, despite Howe's determination. Willis and his lawyer, Howard C. Whitcomb III, filed a motion the following day asking that Willis undergo another "psychological and/or psychiatric assessment/evaluation." Whitcomb wants the evaluation to be re-administered in order to determine the following: • The status of Willis' current mental health condition • The likelihood and/or risk that Willis will likely reoffend in the future • And if Willis should be placed in an alternate treatment facility other than prison In a filing on Monday, Ottawa County court records indicate that the court has accepted Willis' motion to be re-evaluated for the second time at the same treatment center in Toledo. Records do not indicate when that evaluation is set to occur. As of late Friday, Willis remains at the Ottawa County Jail on a $500,000 bond and has an upcoming court hearing scheduled for 10 a.m. on Sept. 3, according to court records. Background An Ottawa County grand jury first indicted Willis on March 19 on the following charges: • Ten counts of illegal use of a minor or impaired person in nudity-oriented material or performance, each a second-degree felony • Eight counts of rape, each a first-degree felony According to Willis' indictment, the alleged crimes occurred between March 2024 and December 2024 when he allegedly engaged in sexual conduct with someone "by force or threat of force." The age of the victim was not specified in the indictment. His indictment also states that Willis allegedly created, directed, produced or transferred material that depicted a child "in a state of nudity."