Inset: Zachary Heckathorn (Martins Ferry Police Department). Background: The church where Heckathorn allegedly caused a disturbance and punched a volunteer in Martins Ferry, Ohio (Google Maps).
In a dramatic courtroom appearance this week, an Ohio man’s confrontation with the law turned the expectedly routine proceedings into a spectacle. The man, Zachary Heckathorn, 33, did not mince words as he faced charges that have captured local attention.
Heckathorn is currently facing allegations including assault, criminal trespass, and aggravated menacing, according to information from the Belmont County Sheriff’s Office and the Martins Ferry Police Department. His legal troubles stem from a November 14 incident at Rethreads, a charitable store managed by the Grace Presbyterian Church in Martins Ferry. This small town is situated near the West Virginia border, approximately 60 miles from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
On the day in question, Heckathorn allegedly entered the store and created a disturbance, prompting a volunteer to ask him to leave. The situation escalated to the point where the volunteer had to escort him out, as detailed by Martins Ferry Police Chief Vince West, in comments to Wheeling’s local CBS, MyNetworkTV, and ABC affiliate, WTRF.
The situation took a violent turn when Heckathorn reportedly returned to the store shortly after 10 a.m., where he allegedly attacked the same volunteer. Police reports indicate that the volunteer suffered between 10 and 15 blows to the face and body during the altercation. The suspect then made his escape through a nearby alley.
Thanks to eyewitness accounts, Heckathorn was apprehended swiftly, just two blocks from the scene of the incident. His capture highlights the quick response of local law enforcement in handling what could have been an even more serious situation.
Heckathorn was quickly arrested on the strength of witness descriptions, police said, roughly two blocks away from the store.
The defendant has been in the Belmont County Jail since his arrest. During his hearing this week, he appeared by way of a video feed from jail wearing an orange inmate’s uniform.
As the hearing began, attorneys for both sides requested a continuance, according to a courtroom report by WTRF.
This request apparently did not sit well with Heckathorn – who launched into a bid for an immediate trial and self-representation.
“I believe my lawyer, my so-called lawyer, is incompetent,” he said. “I do not wish to have a lawyer to represent me. I can represent myself. I do not want a continuance. I’ve already had a pretrial. A pretrial is still trial. I am being denied my right to a fair and speedy trial.”
After a brief pause, the defendant went on.
“That is also the obstruction of justice,” Heckathorn continued. “There is no evidence against me. A statement that somebody’s saying something is not evidence, it’s hearsay. I am going to be declared innocent because I am innocent.”
As the hearing went on, the outbursts reportedly continued — despite the defendant being warned not to speak out of turn.
Over time, the contretemps grew increasingly chaotic, WTRF reported.
Heckathorn is due back in court for trial on Dec. 12.
