Defendant in Fulton County attempted murder case enters NGRI plea

WAUSEON — Toledo man has entered a not guilty by reason of insanity plea here in Fulton County Common Pleas Court in his attempted murder case.

Thomas Justen III, 73, Toledo, entered the plea on charges of attempted murder, a first-degree felony; two counts of felonious assault, each a second-degree felony; two counts of strangulation, second- and third-degree felonies; abduction, a third-degree felony; and domestic violence, a first-degree misdemeanor.

He was ordered by the court to be evaluated for his competency to stand trial. Court Diagnostic and Treatment Center in Toledo will make an assessment.

The charges against Justen relate to an incident on Oct. 24 in Swanton where he allegedly attempted to cause the death of another person. The indictment also alleges that he caused, or attempted to cause, serious physical harm, restrained the liberty of another person and caused, or attempted to cause, physical harm to a family or household member.

Justen has been placed under house arrest in the Corrections Center of Northwest Ohio’s (CCNO) GPS electronic monitoring program, and prohibited from leaving his home except for medical treatment.

He is represented by attorney Jane Roman of Toledo.