MEDINA, Ohio — 19-year-old Dante Tate -- one of the three suspects arrested in connection with a deadly pursuit that claimed the life of Bluffton police officer Dominic Francis -- was in Medina Municipal Court Monday morning.
Tate had requested the scheduled preliminary hearing be continued to a later date so he could have defense counsel appointed. The continuance was granted for one week with the preliminary hearing now set to take place on Monday, April 18.
The court hearing comes after Tate's March 31 arrest in Elyria where the hours-long pursuit came to an end. Tate is charged with fleeing and eluding along with receiving stolen property.
Two others -- 21-year-old Zachary Love and 20-year-old Emin Johnson -- were taken into custody in Northwest Ohio after officer Francis was struck and killed while attempting to deploy stop sticks amid the pursuit along I-75.
Officer Francis was laid to rest last Friday in Bluffton. His family was presented the Medal of Honor and Purple Heart in his honor during the funeral.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE:
- RELATED: Bluffton police officer Dominic Francis remembered at funeral
- RELATED: Bluffton remembers Officer Francis' life of service to his community ahead of his funeral
- RELATED: 'There wasn't really anyone you could compare him to' | Bluffton community holds vigil in memory of Dominic Francis
- RELATED: Bluffton police officer struck and killed by vehicle on I-75, with chase ending in Elyria; 3 people arrested
- RELATED: Ohio State Highway Patrol dashcam video shows chase of suspect wanted for murder of Bluffton police officer