Bond for Braceville man facing 11th DUI reduced from $1M to $100K

WARREN

A Braceville Township ironworker charged with drunken driving for the 11th time will be able to leave the Trumbull County jail to await trial if he can post $100,000 bond.

Judge Andrew Logan of Trumbull County Common Pleas Court at a hearing today reduced bond for Russell D. Balch, 49, from $1 million to $100,000, but said if Balch is able to make bond, he will be on house arrest and alcohol monitoring.

At that point, prosecutors also could request an evidentiary hearing, where they could present evidence to show why Balch should be held without bond, officials said.

Prosecutors filed a legal brief last week asking that Judge Logan order Balch held without bond, citing Balch’s three previous felony drunken-driving convictions, seven misdemeanor drunken-driving convictions and

alleged death threats during his last arrest.

Read more about the matter in Wednesday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.