Murder suspect takes plea

SANDUSKY — A Sandusky man pleaded guilty to his role in the death of a man in September 2020. Maleek Aaron, 26, pleaded guilty to a single count of involuntary manslaughter on Monday. The charge was amended from the original indictment for aggravated murder. Prosecutors will drop the 10 other counts of the indictment. Both sides agreed to a prison sentence of 10 to 15 years. He will be sentenced Dec. 20. Aaron was indicted in April 2021 for the September 2020 death of Bernasto Hardin. Hardin, who was shot near the intersection of Neil and Hancock streets, died after he was transported to a Cleveland hospital for treatment. After the shooting, Aaron fled the state. He was later found in South Carolina along with another Sandusky man who was accused of a separate murder. Aaron was arrested and transported back to Ohio in January. It is unclear why Aaron was offered the plea deal. Erie County prosecutor Kevin Baxter said the case is full of complexities and noted that the case against co-defendant Anthony Crawford, Jr. is still ongoing. Crawford's case Anthony Crawford, Jr., 25, was indicted in April 2021 with 11 charges including complicity in Hardin's alleged murder. Crawford was arrested in November 2021 and has been in Erie County Jail ever since. On Dec. 7, Crawford's attorney, Russell Leffler, filed a motion to dismiss the case citing Crawford's right to a speedy trial. The prosecution has not filed its answer to the motion to dismiss, according to the clerk of courts' public information website.