A former Ohio State University football player accused of killing a 24-year-old in a drunken-driving crash may make his first court appearance.
Kirk Barton, 40, had previously been scheduled to have his arraignment on Aug. 13, however, the date was moved forward to Aug. 4.
Ohio State right tackle Kirk Barton (74), seen here during a Sept. 11, 2004, game against Marshall, played for the Buckeyes from 2003-2007.
A Franklin County grand jury indicted Barton on July 30 on two counts of aggravated vehicular homicide and two counts of operating a vehicle while under the influence in connection with the June 21 crash that killed 24-year-old Ethan Perry.
Barton is accused of having a blood alcohol level of 0.17 or higher at the time of the crash, court records say.
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Court records initially listed one of the charges against Barton as aggravated vehicular assault. An amended indictment was filed on Aug. 1, changing that charge to aggravated vehicular homicide. The paperwork cites a clerical error in how the charge was initially filed.
The arraignment will occur before a Franklin County Common Pleas Court magistrate. Barton’s appearance could be waived by his attorney, Sam Shamansky.
Barton is expected to enter a not guilty plea to the charges against him, which is routine in criminal cases so the attorneys have time to review and analyze all the evidence.
Barton previously posted a $500,000 bond that was set in Franklin County Municipal Court. Common Pleas Court Magistrates do not typically set higher bond amounts for defendants who have posted bond and are on pre-trial release.
Barton played on Ohio State’s offensive line between 2003 and 2007, earning first-team All-American honors and being named one of the captains for the 2007 team that won the Big Ten championship.
Reporter Bethany Bruner can be reached at bbruner@gannett.com or on Bluesky at @bethanybruner.dispatch.com.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Kirk Barton, ex-Ohio State lineman, has court date in fatal crash case
