Cindy Owings

Morgan County Auditor Gary Woodward and Vinton County Auditor Cindy Owings.

The 2-mill levy will provide up to $283,715, according to Vinton County auditor Cindy Owings, though that number is based on 2002 property values.For comparison purposes, the Vinton County school system receives 22.52 mills for an annual funding level of $2.8 million, Owings said.

Vinton County, with a makeup similar to Noble County, has been hit hard with the costs associated with the trial and appeals, said Vinton County Auditor Cindy Owings.

"We have spent over $100,000 in attorney's fees alone," Owings said.

"For a small county, this has been detrimental.This calendar year we barely made it."

Owings said the state only reimburses up to 33 percent of the costs associated with hiring public defenders in capital murder cases.

Ohio law requires a person charged with capital murder to be represented with two expert attorneys.

"Judge Simmons said this could bankrupt us, and he was absolutely correct," Owings said.

Those attending included Vinton County Commissioner Mike Bledsoe, Auditor Cindy Owings, and members of a variety of Vinton County fire departments.

Cindy Owings County Auditor

Vinton County Courthouse

100 E Main St

McArthur, OH 45651

740-596-4571 Ext 232

Cindy Owings, Vinton County Auditor Vinton County Courthouse

100 E Main St

McArthur, OH 45651 (740) 596-4571

auditor@co.vinton.oh.us