North Toledo man sentenced for friend's death
He was sentenced to a maximum of nine years in prison. 
By Allison Dunn / The Blade
Wed, 22 Jan 2020 20:14:28 GMT
A North Toledo man apologized in Lucas County Common Pleas Court for causing fatal injuries to a man he considered a co-worker and friend.
James Friesel, 55, of the 1800 block of North Erie Street, was sentenced by Judge Gary Cook on Wednesday to a range of six to nine years in prison for assaulting Charles Snyder, 52, who lived at the same residence.
“I’m truly sorry for what happened ... I miss Mr. Snyder,” Friesel said in court on Wednesday.
Friesel entered a no contest plea on Dec. 23 to involuntary manslaughter, a first-degree felony, and felonious assault, a second-degree felony. The involuntary manslaughter offense was amended from a charge of murder.
Judge Cook also sentenced Friesel to an additional 14 months in prison for violating terms of community control for 2018 charges of trespass in a habitation and aggravated assault.
Defense attorney Brad Hubbell said he did not think his client’s pre-sentence investigation report gave a full picture of the assault.
The Lucas County Coroner’s Office ruled the death a homicide, determining Mr. Snyder was struck at least twice on the head with a wooden ax handle, but he suffered only scalp wounds. At the time, the coroner’s office said the beating exacerbated his pre-existing heart disease.
On Wednesday, Mr. Hubble said toxicology reports showed the victim was “highly intoxicated” during the incident.
Following the fatal fight, Friesel did not flee from the scene and cooperated with the investigation, the defense attorney said.
Prosecutors relied on the facts of the case that were presented at Friesel’s plea hearing.
Toledo police responded to the North Erie Street address on June 13 for a fight, where they found Mr. Snyder with a head injury. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
James Friesel appears in front of Judge Gary Cook during his sentencing for fatally punching Charles Snyder at the Lucas County Courthouse.
James Friesel appears in front of Judge Gary Cook.
James Friesel, left, and defense attorney Brad Hubbell, right, speak before Friesel is escorted out of the courtroom after his sentencing for fatally punching Charles Snyder.
James Friesel leaves the courtroom in the Lucas County Courthouse after his sentencing for fatally punching Charles Snyder.
James Friesel leaves the courtroom in the Lucas County Courthouse.