Perrysburg man indicted for 2 deaths at truck firm

8/30/2007

BOWLING GREEN A Perrysburg man charged with fatally shooting two men at a Perrysburg Township trucking firm was indicted yesterday by a Wood County grand jury on charges that carry death-penalty specifications.

Calvin Neyland, Jr., 43, was indicted on two counts of aggravated murder for the Aug. 8 deaths of Douglas Smith, 44, of Sylvania Township, and Thomas Tomm Lazar, 58, of Belle Vernon, Pa. Mr. Neyland, who is being held without bond in the county jail, is to be arraigned Sept. 12 by Common Pleas Court Judge Robert Pollex.

If convicted, Mr. Neyland could face the death penalty or life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Authorities said Mr. Lazar, a retired state trooper, went to Liberty Trucking s Perrysburg Township facility where Mr. Smith was the manager to assist in firing Mr. Leyland.

Mr. Lazar was shot in the parking lot; Mr. Smith was shot in his office while calling police for help.

Mr. Neyland is accused of fleeing in a semi-tractor bearing Liberty s name. He was arrested about three hours later at a motel in Monroe County.