Suspect's bond set at $2M for charges involving slayings

A judge found the man accused of two murders is unable to hire a lawyer.
JEFFERSON -- A 32-year-old man charged with the Christmas night murders of his estranged wife and her friend has been ordered held without bond.
John Marsh, of 6785 Slater Road, is in the Ashtabula County Jail on a $2 million bond set Tuesday by Judge Robert S. Wynn of the county's Eastern District Court.
Judge Wynn found Marsh indigent; thus he will receive a court-appointed attorney.
He faces two counts of aggravated murder and one count each of aggravated burglary and aggravated kidnapping.
Marsh is accused of the shooting deaths of Jennifer Marsh, 30, and her friend David Beach, 32, at their Williamson Township home at 7251 Bailey Road on Sunday night.
John Marsh does not live far from the scene of the murders.
Jennifer Marsh and Beach were each shot several times, according to the Ashtabula County Coroner's Office.
Richard Mongell, coroner's chief investigator, said a handgun used in the slayings was retrieved from John Marsh's home.
Family's situation
Jennifer Marsh rented the house Dec. 1, Mongell said.
The Marshes have three children; 7-year-old Katlyn, and 4-year-old Lucas were at the Bailey Road home with their mother and Beach during the killings.
The daughter called 911 to report the shooting. Authorities said Marsh took Lucas with him, but the child was later found unharmed in his father's home.
A second son, Kurtis, 12, was not at home during the shooting. He was with relatives.
Jennifer Marsh's father, Charles Mercer, told The Associated Press that his daughter filed for divorce in September. She accused her husband of domestic violence and obtained a protection order for him to stay away from her.
"There were threats but not much we could do," Mercer said.
The Mercers are seeking custody of their three grandchildren.