Fostoria man waives right to jury trial in fatal beating

11/27/2001

BOWLING GREEN -- A Fostoria man charged in the fatal beating of a Dayton-area businessman waived his right to a jury trial yesterday.

Joe Alexander, 18, had been scheduled to go on trial today in Wood County Common Pleas Court but was expected to ask Judge Reeve Kelsey to postpone the trial. His attorney and the county prosecutor were to meet this morning to set a new date for the trial, which will be heard by Judge Kelsey.

Mr. Alexander is charged with seven felonies stemming from the July 21 beating death of Fred Smith, 43, of Eaton, Ohio. Mr. Alexander's half-brother, Jimmie Woodland, and Mr. Woodland's girlfriend, Tabatha Ulsh, are charged with aggravated murder in the case.

Mr. Woodland and Ms. Ulsh were arrested July 23 in Brownsville, Texas, driving Mr. Smith's bloody vehicle.