OTTAWA — One Ottawa man pleaded not guilty in the killing of Paul Nicholson and the other stood mute Monday afternoon. John Balbirnie, 44, pleaded not guilty in Franklin County District in the July 28 knifing death of Nicholson, 24, Ottawa, in the 200 block of South Locust. Brandon Ellsmore, 23, stood mute and Judge Thomas Sachse entered a not guilty plead for him. County Attorney Heather Jones told Sachse she plans to file a request that the two be tried together. In the meantime, Sachse set a jury trial for Balbirnie beginning Dec. 6. A jury trial for Ellsmore has been scheduled to begin Jan. 10. At Ellsmore’s request, Sachse allowed him supervised telephone contact with his five-year-old daughter, who is a witness to Nicholson’s death. Sachse ordered Ellsmore not to discuss the case with his daughter.
Monday, Sept. 13, 3:30 p.m.
