Domestic violence charges dropped against New Middletown Street Department Supervisor
NEW MIDDLETOWN, Ohio - Domestic violence charges have been dismissed against a New Middletown street department supervisor in Struthers Municipal Court.
John "J.D." Melvin was first arrested in March of this year on a charge of domestic violence.
According to a police report, Melvin and the victim, 55-year-old Belinda Wile, had been arguing over monetary issues.
According to police, the victim had gained weight due to these medical issues, causing Melvin to allegedly deny her food and place a slide lock on the food cabinet that she cannot reach.
Melvin was released on bond with the condition that he had no contact with the alleged victim. He plead not guilty to the charge of domestic violence in March.
Melvin was originally scheduled to be in court September 18, but his hearing was continued after the home Wile was residing in on Arrel Road exploded and caught fire that morning, killing Wile.
The cause of the fire and Wile's death is still under investigation.
The domestic violence charge against Melvin was dropped after he passed a polygraph test.
According to Melvin's attorney, there was a stipulated polygraph agreement entered between the state and the defendant that if the defendant passed, the state would dismiss the domestic violence charge.
