Man caught trying to escape while in custody waives preliminary hearing

A Hancock County man who faces criminal charges while trying to escape waived a preliminary hearing Thursday morning.

William Ronald Payton, formerly of Hudson, Florida, was bound over to Hancock County Circuit Court on two counts of felony evading and a single count of willful and intentional destruction of property (loss of more than 2 $500) with its waiver by Magistrate Stephen Svokas.

According to online filings, a motion for prosecution was filed Thursday regarding the remaining 24 misdemeanor charges, including 10 counts each of battery and obstructing law enforcement and emergency medical services; fleeing and unlawful destruction of property, resulting from the September 23 incident.

Officers attempted to serve Payton with several felony arrest warrants, including one for escape, when he became very aggressive and damaged the Chester police car, which was transporting him.

Police had to call emergency medical services after he not only smashed the windshield, but got stuck in a window while trying to escape the vehicle. He is also accused of assaulting first responders.

The online docket reflects no new hearings for Payton’s misdemeanor charges, as he awaits extradition to Ohio to face charges filed by East Liverpool police earlier this summer. He remains in detention.

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