NEW CUMBERLAND — A jury trial has been set for an area man who is accused in the death of James Perl nine years ago.

Hancock County Circuit Court Judge Robert Barti scheduled Lucas Sims, formerly of various locations in Columbiana and Mahoning counties, to go before a jury on April 29 for a 2017 malicious assault case.

Barti denied a request for a bond reduction from Sims’ defense attorney, electing to instead leave the $250,000 cash or surety bond. Sims’ attorney Alex Ristovich hoped that with the reduction his client could bond out and stay with his mother, who lives on Thompson Avenue in East Liverpool.

Prosecutor Steve Dragisich expressed his opposition to the bond reduction, which Barti agreed was not appropriate due to the nature of the case, Sims’ violent history and repeated failure to appear cases in the past, including one that is still pending in the Perl case.

He also cited issues with the possible location, where the defense proposed staying across the state line in Ohio.

Perl had died nine years ago at an East Liverpool emergency room, after suffering blunt force injuries during a fishing trip with Sims at the New Cumberland Locks and Dam.

According to Ohio court dockets, Sims was out on bond when he reoffended and ultimately was convicted of felonious assault in another case.

Both the families of Sims and his victim had large contingents present for Monday’s status hearing.

Three days are set aside to hear this current Sims’ case on Barti’s docket with jury selection occurring at 9 a.m. April 29.

No case docket has been set as of yet in the most recent failure to appear charge.

Dragisich also wanted it on the record that he furnished discovery on a thumb drive shortly before Monday’s hearing.

Barti also asked the defense to put their motion to have Sims placed in the Northern Regional Jail’s Medicated Assisted Treatment program put in writing for his consideration.

If convicted of the malicious assault charge, Sims would face up to 10 years in prison.

sujhelyi@mojonews.com