Motion to discharge in East Liverpool murder case has been denied

LISBON — A motion filed last year to discharge Elvin EJ Tisdale and the aggravated murder indictment against him due to an alleged speedy trial violation has been denied.

Columbiana County Common Pleas Court Judge Megan Bickerton issued the ruling this week, saying the court disagreed with the defense argument that 180 days from the time of his arrest expired July 14, 2023, saying the rules on detainers don’t apply to the defendant, giving the state 270 days to bring him to trial.

At the time the motion was filed on Aug. 9, 2023, the trial was set for Sept. 5, 2023. The defense was counting the time from when Elvin EJ Tisdale was taken into custody Jan. 13, 2023, but Bickerton noted that the time for speedy trial didn’t begin until he arrived in Ohio. The state of Ohio obtained physical custody of him on May 25.

Still pending is a decision on several defense motions to suppress evidence from search warrants for multiple phones and phone records.

Elvin EJ Tisdale, 34, Newell, W.Va., and Allen N. Tisdale, 24, were each charged with aggravated murder, murder and firearm specifications for allegedly killing Brycen Douglas, 20, who was found shot to death on the front porch of a Pennsylvania Avenue home in East Liverpool on July 15, 2021.

Elvin EJ Tisdale is also facing an additional charge of having weapons while under disability, due to being prohibited from having or using a gun due to a previous felony conviction.

Both Tisdales remain incarcerated in the Columbiana County Jail under $1 million cash or surety bonds.

A status hearing is scheduled for 11:30 am Nov. 18, with a final status conference set for 9 am Dec. 16 and a jury trial set for 9 am Jan. 14.

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