Juror sentencing continued

The case of a Lorain County Common Pleas Court juror who is accused of bringing a newspaper into jury deliberations has been continued.

Frederick Flesch, of Lorain, was scheduled to be sentenced for a contempt charge April 5 by Common Pleas Judge Christopher R. Rothgery.

Flesch’s attorney, Michael Duff, filed a motion for continuance April 4 citing Flesch’s attempt to receive treatment from a psychiatrist. The psychiatrist was unavailable previous to April 3.

The motion requested the sentencing be continued until Flesch can receive treatment.

Flesch was a member of the 12-person jury deliberating the exposure case of Thomas Fourdyce, 56, of Wellington.

Fourdyce is accused of repeatedly exposing his genitalia to a pair of gasoline station attendants in Wellington. He also is accused of cornering one of the victims in a bathroom and not allowing her to leave until another customer came into the business.

After five hours of deliberation March 29, bailiff Robert Bennett was made aware of the newspaper and informed Rothgery.

Flesch was questioned by the judge, and the jury was dismissed and a mistrial was declared.

Lorain County Prosecutor Dennis Will expressed his displeasure with the mistrial.

“We’re never happy when a mistrial is declared,” Will said. “It’s a waste of time and resources. This is unfortunate, but it’s something we have to live with and deal with it.”

Fourdyce’s new trial is scheduled for 8:30 a.m., June 6.