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Man charged in connection with deadly pursuit that killed Bluffton officer Dominic Francis has preliminary hearing continued

19-year-old Dante Tate was identified as one of three men arrested in the case.

MEDINA, Ohio — 19-year-old Dante Tate -- one of the three suspects arrested in connection with a deadly pursuit that claimed the life of Bluffton police officer Dominic Francis -- was in Medina Municipal Court Monday morning.

Tate had requested the scheduled preliminary hearing be continued to a later date so he could have defense counsel appointed. The continuance was granted for one week with the preliminary hearing now set to take place on Monday, April 18.

The court hearing comes after Tate's March 31 arrest in Elyria where the hours-long pursuit came to an end. Tate is charged with fleeing and eluding along with receiving stolen property.

Two others -- 21-year-old Zachary Love and 20-year-old Emin Johnson -- were taken into custody in Northwest Ohio after officer Francis was struck and killed while attempting to deploy stop sticks amid the pursuit along I-75.

Officer Francis was laid to rest last Friday in Bluffton. His family was presented the Medal of Honor and Purple Heart in his honor during the funeral.

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