Husband, wife get day in court

By Jane Beathard

Staff Writer

A husband and wife jailed on Sept. 7 after violating their community control provisions and testing positive for opiates went their separate ways in court on Monday.

Madison County Common Pleas Judge Robert D. Nichols sentenced Weston Moore, 27, to a year in prison and released Brittany Moore, 25, on five years of community control. The Moores live at 76 1/2 E. Lincoln Ave. in London. Their five children are in the custody of other family members, Mrs. Moore said.

Both admitted using illegal drugs while on community control for a series of 2011 metal thefts.

Mr. Moore is also facing new heroin trafficking charges, stemming from Friday’s “sweep” of suspected local dealers by London police officers and county sheriff’s deputies. He’s accused of selling heroin in his home on June 1,

June 5 and June 6.

Weston Moore, Brittany Moore (TRI-COUNTY JAIL)

Monday’s emotional hearings came a week after the Moores admitted their drug use, but argued attempts to seek substance abuse treatment at Madison County Mental Health were delayed by paperwork and procedural snafus.

Nichols requested records from the local treatment center before ruling on the dual cases. Those records showed Mr. Moore was referred to group therapy, while Mrs. Moore missed seven of 15 sessions with counselors.

Assistant county prosecutor Eamon Costello said neither appeared serious about seeking treatment until threatened with prison time.

In court, each assumed responsibility for the other’s drug addiction. Mr. Moore said his wife was an excellent mother and should not go to prison.

“She’s the best mother I know outside of my own mother,” he said.

Defense attorney Mike Murray, who represented Mrs. Moore, said his client’s chances of remaining drug free would improve with Mr. Moore “out of the picture.”

Nichols apparently agreed, but told Mrs. Moore any additional drug and alcohol use would end in prison time.

“This is the last day. If you relapse, you are going to the institution,” Nichols said. “You must comply with the treatment plan to the letter.”

Also on Monday, Nichols denied drug treatment in lieu of conviction for Megan Kriel, 20. Kriel was picked up at the Columbus home of Joshua M. Douglas, 37, after violating terms of her house arrest on a heroin possession charge. Douglas was one of 18 people netted in Friday’s “sweep.” He’s charged with one count of drug trafficking.

Kriel remains in Tri-County Regional Jail, pending an evaluation for in-house drug treatment at West Central Community Correctional Facility in Marysville. If she is found ineligible for treatment, she is likely headed to prison for a year, Nichols said.

Buffie Renee Browning, 40, 206 Park Ave., London, was arraigned on a charge of receiving stolen property between Feb. 13 and March 17.

Nichols appointed Fred Ballam to represent Browning at a Nov. 5 trial and released the woman on house arrest and a signature bond.