Zablin “Jai” Woodruff
Bond has been lowered for one of four Columbus residents charged with the kidnapping and assault of a local man.
An initial hearing was held Monday in Bartholomew Superior Court 1 for Zablin ‘Jai’ Woodruff, 19, of 238 N. Hughes St.
Woodruff is now facing formal charges of robbery resulting in serious bodily injury as a Level 2 felony; kidnapping with serious bodily injury as a Level 3 felony; criminal confinement resulting in serious bodily injury as a Level 3 felony, and aggravated battery causing serious permanent disfigurement as a Level 3 felony, according to court records.
During Monday’s hearing, Judge James Worton agreed to lower Woodruff’s bond from the original $750,000 surety or $75,000 cash to $250,000 surety or $25,000 cash. However, the judge also added a number of pre-trial conditions if Woodruff is set free on bond that include not having any type of contact with the victim or co-defendants. Court services personnel are likely to add further conditions if bond is paid, according to court officials.
Co-defendant Emily Franklin, 18, is accused of driving the victim to a Bonnell Road barn on June 2 under the false pretense of taking him to get something to eat, court documents state. Investigators said Woodruff and two co-defendants, Charles Breedlove, 18, of 2017 14th St. and Ashton Fields, 19, of 762 Clifty Drive, were wearing masks while the victim was dragged out of the vehicle, punched in the face, pistol-whipped and beaten with a stick, a probable cause affidavit states.
Franklin had been living with Fields for about a month, court documents state. During questioning by detectives, Franklin told investigators she was asked by Woodruff and Breedlove to “set up” the victim so they could beat him up, court affidavits state.
The victim saw a pistol aimed at him while being told he was about to die, received multiple cuts and had liquid poured on him that burned his eyes and wounds, according to the affidavit. It also states the victim’s sweatshirt, shoes and cellphone were taken from him before his assailants abandoned him.
The victim eventually found help after seeking assistance at the nearby home of an Indiana State Police trooper, investigators said.
On June 11, Worton agreed to lower the bond for Franklin to $150,000 surety or $15,000 cash. Her next court date is a change of plea hearing on Sept. 25. Breedlove will appear before Worton on July 10 on a status of counsel hearing, while Fields is next scheduled for a change of plea hearing on Sept. 25.
Online court records for Fields and Breedlove show they have not requested a bond reduction hearing.
