Coach's plea to charges is rejected

The Canfield teacher and coach is accused of holding tournaments for profit.
By JEANNE STARMACK
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
BOARDMAN -- A Canfield High School teacher and boys baseball coach who was to be tried on gambling charges in county court here Tuesday has tried to enter a plea instead.
Colleen Ingram, bailiff for Judge Joseph Houser, said Tony Ross, of Edwards Street in Canfield, appeared in court with his lawyer, went to the prosecutor's office and wrote a plea agreement. But the judge had questions, she said, and did not accept the plea.
Ingram said Ross tried to plead guilty, but she is not sure on how many counts or which ones. The plea agreement is not public record until the judge accepts it, she said.
She said she does not have specific information on what the judge is questioning. The judge and prosecutor Jack Ausnehmer were not available to comment Tuesday.
Charges
Ross is charged with 11 misdemeanor counts of gambling in connection with several Texas Hold 'Em tournaments he said he helped organize to benefit the Canfield High School baseball team.
After an investigation, Canfield police charged Ross in August with holding the tournaments for profit.
Ingram said another court appearance has been set for 5:30 p.m. Dec. 22. She said that as long as the judge is provided with the information he requested, he should accept the plea and sentence Ross at that time.