Summit County, OH – Prosecutors are pushing forward in their case against Merriman, who faces an OVI (Operating a Vehicle while Impaired) charge in Summit County. Following a court hearing on February 20, 2025, the case has been bound over to the Summit County grand jury, which will determine whether to indict Merriman.
Despite prior discussions, no resolution was reached in the case, leaving Merriman’s legal fate uncertain. His defense team has indicated they plan to file a motion to suppress evidence related to the charge but ultimately waived the preliminary hearing, leading to the case being escalated to the grand jury.
With the case now in the hands of the grand jury, prosecutors are awaiting a formal decision on whether to proceed with an indictment. If the grand jury chooses to indict, the case will move toward trial unless a plea agreement is reached or the charges are dropped. The timeline for this process is estimated to take anywhere between one to six weeks from the February 20 hearing.
Merriman remains free on bond as his legal team continues their efforts to challenge the case. Additionally, his attorneys requested a 30-day extension for certain privileges, presumably related to driving, though the specifics were not detailed on the record.
As the legal proceedings continue, it remains to be seen how the grand jury will rule and what impact the motion to suppress evidence might have on the case. For now, Merriman's legal battle is far from over, with the looming possibility of a formal indictment shaping the next steps in the case.
Stay tuned for further updates as the grand jury deliberates and a decision is reached on whether Merriman will face trial for the OVI charge.
