Former Bucyrus Councilwoman’s Trial Reset for February

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BUCYRUS — A former Bucyrus City Council member will have to wait a little longer for her day in court after a judge granted a continuance this week, pushing her jury trial into early next year.

Carolyn J. Shireman, 72, appeared in Crawford County Common Pleas Court on Monday for a final pretrial conference before Visiting Judge Howard Hall. Both Assistant County Prosecutor Ryan Hoovler and Shireman’s defense attorney, Andrew Motter, jointly agreed to reschedule the trial, which is now set to begin Feb. 17, 2026, at 8:30 a.m.

The case is expected to last four days, with jury selection and witness testimony scheduled to take place inside the Crawford County Courthouse.

Shireman, who previously served on Bucyrus City Council, was charged earlier this year following a series of investigations that drew significant local attention. While court documents outlining the specific evidence have not yet been publicly released in full, prosecutors have indicated the case involves misuse of position and public misconduct allegations, stemming from incidents that occurred during her tenure in city government.

Shireman has consistently denied any wrongdoing, and her attorney has maintained that the accusations are politically motivated. Motter has said his client is eager to clear her name and move forward.

The case has become one of the most closely watched in Crawford County in recent months, in part because of Shireman’s long-standing ties to city politics and her former role overseeing nonprofit initiatives.

Judge Hall, a visiting jurist brought in to avoid any potential conflicts of interest, agreed to the continuance citing the need for additional preparation time on both sides. A pretrial status conference is expected to be held prior to the February start date to finalize logistics and witness lists.

If convicted, she could face penalties ranging from fines to potential prison time depending on the outcome and the degree of the charges sustained.

For now, Shireman remains free on bond as the case proceeds toward trial.