MARION, OH (MARION COUNTY NOW)—In an astonishing move, Marion County Prosecutor Ray Grogan has filed a last-minute request to dismiss all charges against Marion City Councilman Ayers Ratliff, aiming to postpone the start of his trial. The motion was filed in the Marion County Common Pleas Court.
The State of Ohio is asking the court for permission to enter a Nolle Prosequi, which would dismiss all counts in the indictment against Ratliff without prejudice. Grogan argues that the ongoing investigation has yielded new evidence and potential witnesses provided by Ratliff’s legal team, which necessitates further review by the Marion County Grand Jury to assess whether new felony charges should be brought against Ratliff.
Ratliff’s attorney, JC Ratliff, has responded by requesting a hearing regarding the state’s motion. He asserts that this is a stall tactic by Grogan’s office and that preparations for a ten-day trial have been made, including scheduling several expert witnesses and blocking out their schedules for the lengthy process. The jury trial is expected to begin at 8:30 a.m. on Monday.
This latest motion is just one of many filed by prosecutors since Ratliff was initially charged. The case has seen a tumultuous history, having been dismissed once after its original filing in September 2024 before being recharged in December of last year.
Should the judge grant the state’s request, the case would need to start all over and be presented to a new grand jury. Additionally, motions have been filed by the mother of the victim, opposing further continuances in the trial. In a motion dated January 13, 2025, she accused Grogan’s office of violating Marcy’s Law by failing to consult her and her family about any intent to seek a continuance and victim’s rights assistance in general.
A full hearing on the state’s motion is scheduled for Friday at 10 a.m. in the Marion County Common Pleas Court. Marion County Now will continue to follow this developing story. For more details, links to the motions made by Grogan and the victim’s mother are available below.