Accused killer to remain behind bars in Wood Co.

Calvin Neyland, Jr., is charged with the shooting deaths of two men at a trucking company.

BOWLING GREEN - Wood County Common Pleas Judge Robert Pollex yesterday ordered that accused murderer Calvin Neyland, Jr., remain held without bond in the Wood County jail.

Mr. Neyland, 43, was led into the courtroom shackled at his hands and feet with two deputies and Wood County Sheriff Mark Wasylyshyn at his side.

Family members of the two men Mr. Neyland is accused of shooting to death last month at a Perrysburg Township trucking firm - Douglas Smith, 44, of Sylvania Township and Thomas "Tomm" Lazar, 58, of Belle Vernon, Pa. - were in the gallery, but declined to comment afterward.

Mr. Smith and Mr. Lazar were shot to death Aug. 8 at Liberty Trucking's Perrysburg Township facility on Reuthinger Road. Investigators have said Mr. Lazar, a retired Pennsylvania state trooper, had gone to the company where Mr. Smith was the manager to assist in firing Mr. Neyland.

Mr. Lazar was shot in the parking lot. Mr. Smith was shot in his office while calling police for help. Police said Mr. Neyland then fled the scene in a Liberty semi-tractor and drove to Monroe County, Michigan, where he was arrested about three hours later at the Silver Blue Motel on South Telegraph Road.

Charged with two counts of aggravated murder, Mr. Neyland could face the death penalty if convicted.

Assistant Wood County Prosecutor Gwen Howe-Gebers told the court Mr. Neyland had not had a permanent address for several years but apparently had been staying at hotels and kept his belongings at a storage unit.

She asked that he continue to be held without bond, and Mr. Neyland's attorneys did not object.

Toledo attorney Adrian Cimerman entered not-guilty pleas on Mr. Neyland's behalf but said he reserved the right to file additional pleas "if necessary in the future." A pretrial hearing was set for Oct. 23.