CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — A special prosecutor has been appointed in the DUI case involving a local defense attorney.
Chase Rutherford is facing a charge of driving while drunk. According to the Highway Patrol, on May 1, Rutherford, 34, Chillicothe, was driving a motorcycle along Western Avenue when he crashed. Troopers said the local attorney was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash and did not have the proper license to drive a motorcycle. He was flown to a Columbus-area hospital in stable condition.
Rutherford was charged with drunken driving and has hired local criminal defense attorney Jim Bougler to fight the case. Rutherford, of course, is the son of former Chillicothe Law Director Sherri Rutherford and shares a law practice with her along Main Street.
According to three sources inside the Chillicothe Municipal Court, Chase Rutherford had left a party right before his crash. In attendance at the party were several local lawyers, including assistant city prosecutors and other attorneys. As a result of their involvement, a special prosecutor has been appointed to handle the case.
Documents filed with the Chillicothe Municipal Court show that Rob Junk — the Pike County Prosecutor — has been appointed to prosecute Rutherford. In addition, a special judge has also been requested.
Records show that this is Rutherford’s third run-in with the law for allegations he has been drunk while driving. In 2006, he was charged with OVI, which was pleaded down to an amended charge of physical control. In 2018, he was charged again with OVI and convicted, where he lost his driver’s license and had to take a three day course.
Rutherford is due back in court July 16.