Man accused of killing Officer Bluffton wants to stand trial, new lawyers

FINDLAY, Ohio (WTVG) — The latest of three suspects involved in the high-speed pursuit that resulted in the death of a Bluffton police officer told a Hancock County judge last week that he needed new attorneys.

Dominic Francis, 42, was hit by the car they were in while trying to turn the brake lights at the I-75 southbound exit on Bluffton’s east side in March 2022.

Emin Johnson faces the most serious charges in the case, including manslaughter, aggravated murder, receiving stolen property, disobeying a police officer’s order or signal, possession of criminal tools, tampering with evidence, refusing to stop after an accident, mishandling a firearm in a motor vehicle and possession of a weapon in a state of disability.

In a letter to the judge in his case, sent on March 15, Johnson said he believed his lawyers were pressuring him to make a deal when he wanted to be defended in court.

Shortly after this letter was sent, the second suspect, Zachary Love, pleaded guilty to falsifying evidence, possession of a handgun by disability, and mishandling a firearm in a motor vehicle.

A third suspect, Dante Tate, pleaded guilty to receiving stolen property and being an accessory to receiving stolen property back in February.

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