Two offer not guilty by reason of insanity pleas in common pleas court

It is fairly rare to see someone plead not guilty by reason of insanity; however, just last week two

such pleas were filed, triggering psychological evaluations for two people facing charges in Auglaize County Common Pleas Court cases.

Mariah Miller, 20, of the St. Marys area, was indicted on one count of involuntary manslaughter and two counts of drug possession,

stemming from an incident on Feb. 18 involving the overdose death of St. Marys man, Nathan Ellis, 40.

Miller filed the insanity plea Friday and a psychological evaluation is scheduled for Nov. 3 to determine her mental condition at the time of the alleged

offenses and her competency to stand trial.

Miller remains in custody with a bond at $500,000,

and also faces probation violations relating to drug

offenses over the past few years.

The other insanity plea was filed by James Wilcox,

25, of Wapakoneta, who was involved in a pursuit through downtown Wapakoneta, driving a stolen

black Mustang for several minutes before being brought into custody.

Auglaize County Sheriff’s Office deputies learned Wilcox had threatened the life of a family member by

using a firearm. Law enforcement were attempting to locate Wilcox and that prompted him to try to elude law enforcement.

Wilcox has been charged with fleeing and eluding,

and tampering with evidence, both third degree felonies; as well as aggravated menacing, a first degree misdemeanor.

The new plea means a Nov. 30 psychological evaluation of Wilcox’s mental state.

At 8:17 a.m. on Oct. 6, Wapakoneta Police Department officers located Wilcox and attempted to stop

him. Wilcox failed to stop and the pursuit ensued.

The chase crossed several county roads and later re-entered the city of Wapakoneta. The pursuit

came to an end near the Clark Gas Station at the corner of Pearl and Willipie streets.

During the pursuit, two Auglaize County Sheriff’s

Office vehicles were damaged. Both vehicles were able to be driven from the

scene.

Wilcox was taken into custody without further

incident and transported to the Auglaize County Correctional Center.

During the course of the pursuit he was threw sev

eral items from the vehicle mainly trash, although deputies confirmed one of the items recovered was a pistol.

Wilcox is currently being held on a $100,000 bond with a 10 percent privilege.

The Wapakoneta Daily News previously inter viewed Wilcox in July as he organized a community

skate day at the Wapako neta Middle School.