Judge says no to Drain's request to change plea

A Hancock County man charged with killing his cellmate didn't get the change of plea he wanted.

Judge says no to Drain's request to change plea

A Warren County Common Pleas Court judge wouldn't allow 38-year-old Joel Drain to change his plea to no contest. Instead, the judge ordered Drain to get a psychological exam, before his case will move forward. Drain is facing a possible death penalty sentence if convicted of aggravated murder.

Judge says no to Drain's request to change plea

According to the Dayton Daily News, the judge wants Drain to be examined to make sure he has a decent idea of the potential consequences. Drain was already facing 38 years to life in prison for strangling a man to death in Hancock County in 2016. The judge has set a competency hearing for May to review the results of the exam.