This case bothers me SO much. Poor kid. I hope justice is served.
Even if Jonathan took the drugs willingly, it still was the adult's fault. He was given fentanyl, or something laced with it. It wasn't Jonathan's fault, he was 14 years old, he didn't know better. The adult who caused his death did know, it's his responsability and he needs to deal with that. He killed a 14-year-old boy and that's a fact.It is, so sad. The rumors some have spread around are disgraceful, too, implying Jonathan willingly took drugs. He was only 14, a naive kid, working hard at farm work to earn a little extra money.
Even worse is if Jonathan believed he was taking something to relieve himself of his headache! IMO, that's no different than lying in wait. Makes me furious.Even if Jonathan took the drugs willingly, it still was the adult's fault. He was given fentanyl, or something laced with it. It wasn't Jonathan's fault, he was 14 years old, he didn't know better. The adult who caused his death did know, it's his responsability and he needs to deal with that. He killed a 14-year-old boy and that's a fact.
It makes me think he was being groomed to be a drug dealer. An adult started this, not this little guy. He was innocent, in pain and trusted an adult.It is, so sad. The rumors some have spread around are disgraceful, too, implying Jonathan willingly took drugs. He was only 14, a naive kid, working hard at farm work to earn a little extra money.
It makes me think he was being groomed to be a drug dealer. An adult started this, not this little guy. He was innocent, in pain and trusted an adult.
Fentanyl and Oxycontin use at 14 usually means that drug use has been going on for a while, people don't immediately escalate from smoking weed to taking stuff like Fentanyl and Oxycontin, especially not at 14. A boy, working on a farm in Ohio doesn't really scream to me "long history of drug use, makes sense it escalated to fentanyl and ended up overdosing". If he was doing drugs like that, his parents, his friends and his teachers would have noticed. I highly doubt a 14 year old with a long history of drug use would even be functional enough to go to school AND work on a farm.Yes, there was something very sketchy about the entire situation and story. I researched the stats on drug use and overdoses and it's extremely rare for kids Jonathan's age to have any interest in opioids of any kind, let alone fentanyl or oxy. Someone slipped it to him, either on purpose or accidentally. Why else would those present not call EMS, hid his body and make up a story.
Maybe Gov. Mike DeWine needs to look into this.
Fentanyl and Oxycontin use at 14 usually means that drug use has been going on for a while, people don't immediately escalate from smoking weed to taking stuff like Fentanyl and Oxycontin, especially not at 14. A boy, working on a farm in Ohio doesn't really scream to me "long history of drug use, makes sense it escalated to fentanyl and ended up overdosing". If he was doing drugs like that, his parents, his friends and his teachers would have noticed. I highly doubt a 14 year old with a long history of drug use would even be functional enough to go to school AND work on a farm.
Suspect in Carroll County teen's death released on cash bondThe impression from reading news stories quoting his parents and others is that he was a typical kid. He was in the 7th grade, worked occasionally on dairy farms helping feed cattle, etc. for extra money. Rode his bike around. Played pranks on his grandfather by putting funny selfies on his cell phone. Always stopped and visited his friends and neighbors in his home town Dellroy, OH. He liked helping people, going fishing, riding mini-bikes and 4 wheelers.
Some referred to his killer as his "friend", but Jonathan lived pretty far away and likely had little in common with a 30 year old ex-con drug addict. I would like to know how Jonathan came to work on the Little family's farm. Were the Little family friends or acquaintances of Jonathan's parents or grandparents? They lived 20 miles away from Dellroy, OH. How did they meet? Did Matthew Little and his parents lie to Jonathan's parents that he would be safe working with the drug addicted ex-con?
Suspect in Carroll County teen's death released on cash bond
snipped
According to family members, Little picked Minard up and took him to a farm to help milk cows, but the teen vanished shortly thereafter.
The disappearance led to massive searches of the area in hopes of finding Minard alive. His family’s worst fears were realized when his body was found on the same farm days later.
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I've suspected the families were known to each other - but no real confirmation that I recall. Since the accused picked him to to milk the cows - he was known to JM IMO.
Jonathan was currently a 7th grade student at the Bell-Herron Middle School in Carrollton. He had also been working on a farm for several years where he assisted in feeding, milking, and caring for the cattle, as well as other necessary dairy farm chores.
^^sbmMOTION TO CHANGE VENUE AND SUPPRESSION ISSUES IS SCHEDULED FOR 8-7-20 AT 9:00 AM. TRIAL WILL BE RESCHEDULED ONCE ALL PARTIES RE ABLE TO CLEAR THE DATES WITH THEIR WITNESSES.
^^sbm
This suppression issue really bothers me. M Little was arrested on a 15 count secret indictment.
The grand jury heard two hours of testimony, including testimony from two detectives.
We have no idea what evidence or testimony the grand jury heard that the defense is trying to suppress!
The panel returned indictments, charging Little with:
- three counts of involuntary manslaughter
- with three counts of underlying accompanying felonies that include corrupting another with drugs, permitting drug abuse and endangering children.
UPDATE: 15-count indictment filed over Jonathan Minard's death
- The indictments allege Little gave Minard a fentanyl-related compound, permitted the property to be used for the drug offense and, while in charge of the teen, “created a risk of serious physical harm to the child resulting in his death.”
- charged with heroin possession, involuntary manslaughter by permitting drug abuse resulting in the child’s death, reckless homicide, corrupting another with drugs, furnishing marijuana, evidence tampering and gross abuse of a corpse.
- charged with two misdemeanors: falsification and failure to report knowledge of a death.
Why is suppression of evidence called for in this situation? Who is being protected and why? Why does a convicted felon who gave dangerous illegal drugs to a kid deserving of protection? Doesn't the court have to require some valid reason to suppress this information? Shouldn't Matthew Little be considered a danger to all the young people in the community? Were other people present when Matthew Little gave a fatal drug overdose to this 14 yo boy? Is the court attempting to protect their identity? If so, why?
Does the prosecutor have some concerns that there will be undue influence or pressure from some in the community towards witnesses who may testify against Matthew Little? Is that why they're seeking a change of venue? Have friends or family of Matthew Little made some threats to witnesses or potential witnesses? Has the prosecutor been subjected to threats or intimidation?
Change of venue might be a good idea in this case if locals are seeking to protect Matthew Little or other dangerous drug addicts who live in the area. OTOH, there are other counties in the area where Little might still be protected.
I hope the Cleveland and Akron news outlets continue to cover this case. We need to know why they're seeking a change of venue and to suppress information about the case.
Info about the judge hearing the case:
Michael V. Repella II | Judicial Votes Count
Hearings:
08/07/2020 09:00 AM COMMON PLEAS COURTROOM SUPPRESSION HEARING REPELLA, II, MICHAEL V
@Seattle1 - you mentioned he was indicted for 3 counts of involuntary manslaughter - actually it is 4 counts... Just wanted to correct that!
Case Details - CourtView Justice Solutions
Count 1, 3, 5 & 7.
It looks like the Supression hearing is tomorrow, Friday Aug 7. Hope media covers it.