The third Glouster man to be indicted in connection to an October murder was arraigned in the Athens County Common Pleas Court Wednesday, pleading not guilty to two charges.
Robert Degarmore, 52, was arraigned on an indictment charging two counts of receiving stolen property, one of which is a felony of the fifth degree, the other a misdemeanor of the first degree, according to the Ohio Revised Code.
Robert had allegedly received and used a stolen credit card that belonged to the deceased, Paul E. Roberts, 63. Law enforcement officials found the victim when they arrived at his home to arrest his son, Paul J. Roberts, for vandalism.
The younger Roberts, 41, was charged with aggravated murder along with eight other charges and incarcerated on a bond of $950,000 in the Southeastern Ohio Regional Jail.
Paul J. Roberts was also accused of stealing his father’s property, including his 2004 Black Jeep Liberty, a John Deere lawn mower and his credit card.
Athens County Prosecutor Keller Blackburn said that Robert is accused of using Paul E. Roberts’ credit card, but that he didn’t use any of the other items.
Robert’s sister and Paul J. Roberts’ wife, Rhonda Degarmore, was also indicted for stealing from her father-in-law and using his possessions.
“Rhonda Degarmore pled guilty to stealing the deceased Paul E. Roberts’ credit card and using it,” Blackburn said in a news release. “Degarmore also pled guilty to obstructing justice in the death of Paul E. Roberts.”
Rhonda accepted a plea deal when she was sentenced to five years in prison and agreed to testify against her husband in court when he appears for a jury trial March 18. Her brother, however, has made no similar agreements at this time.
Robert is due back in court for a pretrial Feb. 26 and a jury trial March 27. He has been ordered by the court to avoid any direct and indirect contact with Rhonda and Paul J. Roberts.
@KellyPFisher
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