A Clark County courtroom was packed Tuesday, but little happened in the Tyler Meier case.
One of the more serious cases in Clark County in recent years was set for a preliminary hearing—a mini trial of sorts—where a judge determines if there's enough evidence to send a case for trial.
But Wood Co. Judge James Mason, who has taken the case as a substitute judge, failed to show up for the hearing.
38-year-old Tyler Meier is charged with Felony Murder – Battery. Prosecutors allege he punched 43-year-old Keith Young at the Brickyard Bar and Grill on February 1st. Young fell, apparently hitting his head. He was hospitalized in critical condition from shortly after the assault, to the time of his death on Tuesday, February 3.
After Clark County personnel tried contacting the Judge, Mason eventually addressed the court via speaker phone claiming he wasn't told he was supposed to be in Clark County Tuesday.
He said, (quote) "I can't explain how it happened." The preliminary hearing is rescheduled for June 2nd at 2 p.m.