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Salem man bound over on charges of burglary, intimidation

LISBON — A Salem man with a history of violence and facing felony charges of intimidation and burglary was bound over the County grand jury on Thursday.

Nicholas J. Edwards, 28, last known address West Eighth Street, waived his right to a preliminary hearing before Columbiana County Municipal Court Judge Mark Frost.

Edwards is also charged with misdemeanor charges of obstructing official business and disorderly conduct. Those will also be sent to the grand jury for inclusion with the felony case, according to Assistant County Prosecutor Don Humphrey Jr., because the alleged actions all happened during the same course of conduct.

Humphrey told Frost the prosecutor’s office had agreed to ask for a reduction in bond in exchange for Edwards waiving the preliminary hearing. Edwards appeared in custody with a $50,000 cash or surety bond. Frost reduced the bond to $15,000 cash or surety with a bond condition that Edwards have no contact with the alleged victim in the case, Kayla Van Horne.

Two Salem police officers and Van Horne were among those in attendance during the hearing. Van Horne declined to make a statement.

On July 11, Edwards allegedly broke into Van Horne’s home on West Fourth, Salem, causing her to jump out a window to avoid him. Edwards then reportedly refused to answer police as they were entering the home and was eventually found hiding in a shower.

Edwards reportedly refused to stop spitting and threatened to harm the arresting officer and end his career, as he said he did to another officer, Sgt. John Less, several years ago. Earlier on the same evening, while intoxicated, Edwards allegedly kicked the glass out of the front door of another home, but the resident did not wish to pursue the matter.

Less, whose neck was broken when Edwards bodyslammed him onto a sidewalk outside Salem High School, later retired from the department because of medical issues from his injuries. Edwards was 18 in 2007 at the time of the crime and was convicted of felonious assault and sentenced to 14 months in prison.

djohnson@mojonews.com

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