Trial set for man accused in baseball bat attack
LISBON — A jury trial is now set for 8:30 a.m. Feb. 2 for a man accused of attempted murder in a baseball bat attack against a woman in June.
Frederick L. Harroff, 66, last known address Columbiana Lisbon Road, Columbiana, appeared in the custody of deputy sheriffs during a status hearing Wednesday before Columbiana County Common Pleas Court Judge Scott Washam, along with his defense attorney Robert Bricker.
Another status hearing was set for 8:30 a.m. Nov. 20.
Harroff remains jailed under a $500,000 cash or surety bond.
The state was represented by county Assistant Prosecutor Alec Beech.
Harroff was indicted for charges of first-degree felony attempted murder, first-degree felony aggravated arson, first-degree felony kidnapping, second-degree felonies of aggravated arson and two counts of felonious assault and fourth-degree felony strangulation.
According to an affidavit filed in county Municipal Court, Harroff allegedly repeatedly attacked the woman with a heavy wooden baseball bat over her head and body while she was laying in bed, causing severe physical harm on June 2 in Fairfield Township.
One of the aggravated arson charges dealt with trying to harm the woman and the other dealt with trying to harm the property.
“Based on evidence we have, we believe he tried to burn the place down,” county Prosecutor Vito Abruzzino said when the indictment was issued.
The State Fire Marshal was involved in the investigation into the fire. All the assault charges and the kidnapping charge stemmed from the attack against the woman.
The first-degree felony charges all carry possible penalties of three to 11 years and the second-degree felonies carry possibly penalties of two to eight years.