Erie County inmate critically hurt in fall at jail

8/29/2007

SANDUSKY - An Erie County jail inmate was hurt seriously yesterday after he apparently leaned over a second-floor walkway railing in the jail and fell 13 feet, striking his head on the concrete floor, Sheriff Terry Lyons said.

Timothy J. Thayer, 47, of Erie County's Berlin Township, who suffered injuries to his head and spine, was flown from Firelands Regional Medical Center, Sandusky, to St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center, Toledo, where he was in critical condition last night.

Mr. Thayer, who has been in the jail since Jan. 23, was indicted for attempted murder, felonious assault, abduction, and having weapons while under disability.

He was arrested after a disturbance at his home on Darrow Road.

Mr. Thayer fell about 2:15 p.m., immediately after talking to the public defender representing him, the sheriff said.

Mr. Thayer and the attorney discussed via telephone the possibility of withdrawing the guilty plea he entered last Wednesday to the felonious assault charge, the sheriff said.

In Mr. Thayer's cell, investigators found a letter addressed to Erie County Common Pleas Court Judge Roger Binette indicating Mr. Thayer wished to withdraw his plea, the sheriff said.