Recordpub.com - Pair are indicted in Kent beating: Lawyers for both men seek reduced bonds

By Dave O’Brien

Record-Courier staff writer

Two men accused of savagely beating a Kent State University student, leaving him in critical condition in an Akron hospital, were indicted Thursday on charges of felonious assault.

Adrian A. Barker, 21, and Ronald G. Kelly, 20, are charged with one count each of felonious assault, a second-degree felony, in the early Sunday morning beating of Christopher M. Kernich, 23, a business major from Fairborn.

Barker also was indicted on one count of obstructing official business, a fifth-degree felony, for allegedly hindering the Kent Police Department’s investigation.

The incident took place in the area of East Main and South Depeyster streets in Kent. Kernich was later transported to Akron City Hospital, where he remains in critical condition.

Cleveland attorneys Dennis N. Loconti and Helen Forbes Fields told Portage County Municipal Court Judge John Plough Friday that Barker was being arraigned the same day on the indictment in Portage County Common Pleas Judge John Enlow’s courtroom in Ravenna. Barker was scheduled for a preliminary hearing in Plough’s Kent courtroom Friday morning.

Kelly’s attorney, Gregory Robey of Cleveland, filed a motion Friday asking Enlow to reduce Kelly’s $75,000 cash bond.

According to Robey’s filing — which seeks to lower the bond to $20,000 cash or 10 percent thereof — Kelly is a sophomore at the University of Akron, lives with his grandparents in Shaker Heights and is neither a danger to the community nor a flight risk.

Robey was one of the attorneys who, in April 2007, helped acquit Randy Resh of the 1989 murder of Connie Nardi in Portage County.

Barker’s pre-trial hearing has been set for Jan. 29. A trial is set for Feb. 1. His case also has been assigned to Enlow’s court. No further court dates have been set in Kelly’s case, according to court records.

18.	Posted by Helspont November 21, 2009
	It doesn't matter if they were going to college or choir boys or nice boys.They assaulted people and a person died as a result of their actions. Guess what ever heard of responsibility or repurcussions?Guess these two didn't or didn't care to THINK.Now someone who had a bright future is dead and two worthless pieces of **** are alive. Now you explain how that makes sense?Or better yet explain it to Chris's family and friends.Oh real "nice" boys yeah my ass,stupid people defending stupid people that's the only common factor in this. My deepest condolonces to the Kernich family and friends,he truly did not deserve what this.

14.	Posted by braveheart November 21, 2009
	I read about this crime with a heavy heart. Chris I'm sure is in heaven with Jesus and his life although short has left a lasting impression on many. It's a shame that higher education is no longer for intellectual and deserving students. Because of the left's twisted view of fairness, we now let virtually anybody into our universities. Including drunken criminals who are more interested in drinking, fighting, drugs and a free ride than obtaining an education. I'd bet my last dollar that both Barker and Kelly were attending school for free. Incidents like this are awakening the "sleeping giant" in this country. I assure you the day is coming when this behavior will no longer be tolerated. There is a part of me that blames the inability of our schools and law enforcement agencies to keep students from obtaining alcohol and drugs. But the type of student who is capable of violence to this degree should have never been admitted to any university. Plenty of people get drunk and do not act like a monster. Alcohol or not you have to be a monster at heart. This country has to lose its white guilt and twisted values.