Jury Convicts Florida Man of Assaulting First Responders
An Ashland County jury convicted Edsel W. Kiser of two (2) counts of felony Assault for assaulting Ashland first responders. On March 5, 2021, the Ashland Police Department responded to Riley’s Bar on Main Street in the City of Ashland for an intoxicated patron that would not leave. When Officers arrived, they found Edsel W. Kiser, whose last known address is Orlando, Florida, lying on the floor of the bar. When Officers made contact with Kiser, he became agitated and attempted to strike Ashland Police Officer Leah Zeisler. He was eventually pepper sprayed and the Ashland Fire Department was called to the scene pursuant to the Police Department’s protocol for such incidents. While EMTs were attempting to render aid to Kiser, Kiser bit Ashland Division of Fire Assistant Chief Gabe Campbell. Kiser was taken to the hospital for evaluation and then incarcerated in the Ashland County Jail.
An Ashland County Grand Jury indicted Kiser with two (2) counts of felony Assault for knowingly causing or attempting to cause physical harm to Assistant Chief Campbell and Officer Zeisler. The case went to trial in the Ashland County Court of Common Pleas, with jury selection beginning on May 18, 2021 and testimony presented May 19 and 20, 2021. The jury received the case for its consideration on Friday, May 21, 2021, and after approximately an hour of deliberation, found Kiser guilty of both counts.
Kiser is facing a maximum prison sentence of thirty-six months at his sentencing hearing scheduled for June 28, 2021 at 8:30 a.m.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Victor R. Perez of the Ashland County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. Following the verdict, Perez stated, “This case is a perfect example of the difficulties our first responders face every day. Ashland County won’t tolerate anyone making that job harder for them. I’d like to thank the Ashland Police Department and the Ashland Fire Department for their efforts on behalf of all the citizens of the City of Ashland and I’d like to thank the jury for their time and effort in arriving at these verdicts.”