Judge considers bond today for man accused of 11th OVI

WARREN — Judge Andrew Logan of Trumbull County Common Pleas Court will decide today whether to order Russell D. Balch held in the Trumbull County jail without eligibility to make bond after being charged with his 11th drunk driving offense.

Prosecutors requested the no-bond last week, saying Balch, 49, of Arhaven Drive in Braceville, has been convicted of of felony drunken driving three times and the misdemeanor version seven times.

He was arrested Dec. 11 after a 911 call from a neighbor saying Balch was refusing to leave her property and making death threats against her and her mother.

While deputies were on their way, they learned Balch had left in his father’s car. Newton Falls police located Balch in the village and made a traffic stop, charging him with drunken driving and other offenses.

His blood-alcohol level was later tested at .223, nearly three times the legal level of 0.08.

While talking to officers at the hospital, Balch “repeatedly threatened to kill” the two women and stated “jail won’t hold him forever and that he is going to cut their throats once released,” according to a filing from prosecutors.

Balch’s attorney also filed a brief, saying Balch does not believe he is a risk of harm to the community.

“There is no allegation that Mr. Balch caused harm to anyone while allegedly committing this offense,” Atty. Alyssa A. Sidelka with the Ohio Public Defender’s Office wrote.

The filing notes that Balch has three adult children and has lived in Trumbull County most or all of his life. He is employed as an iron worker and can potentially return to work if he is released on bond.

The filing says the court could also order Balch to be placed on house arrest with electronic monitoring and order him to be fitted with an alcohol monitor.