Wednesday, November 20, 2002
The two alleged victims now face charges.
By PEGGY SINKOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- Robbery charges against a 25-year-old Newton Falls man have been dismissed because of insufficient evidence, a prosecutor said.
The two counts of robbery against William Amburgui were dropped, according to Diane Barber, an assistant Trumbull County prosecutor.
Barber said Wednesday that she could not comment further on the case.
Atty. Matthew Pentz, who represented Amburgui, said he and his client were pleased.
What was alleged
Amburgui was accused of robbing Mary Lee Howell, 64, and her granddaughter, Dawniquica M. Howell, 18, both of McMyler Street, on Nov. 17, 2001.
Warren Detective Jeff Hoolihan said the women told police they were victims of a robbery that took place Nov. 17, 2001, in the parking lot of the Fast Check on West Market Street.
Dawniquica Howell testified during a preliminary hearing in municipal court that she witnessed the robbery and that Amburgui was the person she saw rob Mary Lee Howell. Mary Lee Howell also testified under oath.
Videotape evidence
Hoolihan said police got a security videotape from Fast Check enhanced at the NASA Research Center in Cleveland. Hoolihan said that when the tape was returned, detectives were able to spot Amburgui next to the Howells' car, but neither Mary Lee Howell nor Dawniquica Howell was in the car.
He said the woman who was in the car is Mary Lee Howell's daughter.
The detective said he contacted the women, and they both admitted lying. Hoolihan said that because the case is still pending he is unable to comment further.
Both women were indicted last week by the Trumbull County grand jury. Mary Lee Howell faces one count of perjury and one count of falsification. Dawniquica Howell faces two counts of perjury. Both pleaded innocent and were released on $5,000 bond.
Both are due to return to court later this month for pretrial hearings.
sinkovich@vindy.com