LISBON Contempt of court lands Warren attorney in jail

LISBON -- A Warren attorney spent the weekend in the Columbiana County jail after a contempt finding in county common pleas court.
Atty. Toni Marcheskie served the 48-hour sentence after exhausting her appeals in the 7th District Court of Appeals, a court spokeswoman said.
Marcheskie was found in contempt of court Dec. 14, 2001 by Judge C. Ashley Pike of common pleas court for failing to appear at an Oct. 26, 2001, sentence review hearing for a client.
Marcheskie had argued that she had not been retained in connection with the hearing.
After being found in contempt, Marcheskie asked the judge to stay the 48-hour sentence until a Dec. 17, 2001, hearing.
Judge Pike agreed. But Marcheskie was about 15 minutes late for that hearing, saying she had to take her children to school.
The judge then imposed the contempt sentence, only to stay it after Marcheskie's lawyer, J. Walter Dragelevich of Niles, filed a motion asking Judge Pike to reconsider.
During a subsequent hearing held in February, Marcheskie apologized.
Judge Pike responded by saying Marcheskie had previously demonstrated an unprofessional and uncaring attitude in court. He then reimposed the sentence, but execution was delayed while she appealed.