WARREN Teen pleads guilty in hotel melee

The judge also ordered the teenager to attend an anger-management class.
By PEGGY SINKOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- A 19-year-old who police said incited violence during a melee in March that took place outside a downtown hotel has received five days in an alternative jail facility.
Michael Simpson of Warren entered a guilty plea Thursday in Warren Municipal Court to a reduced charge of obstructing official business, a misdemeanor. Simpson had faced a felony count of inciting violence.
"We decided to offer him a reduced charge because of his lack of a criminal record," said Traci Timko-Rose, an assistant city prosecutor.
Sentence
Judge Thomas Gysegem sentenced Simpson to 90 days in the county jail but suspended 85 of those days. He placed Simpson on two years' probation and ordered him to attend anger-management counseling.
Simpson will be able to serve his five days in an alternative jail facility, which would allow him to work during the day, court officials said.
Police arrested Simpson after a teenage birthday party ended at the Comfort Inn.
Police say about 100 to 150 people -- mostly teenagers -- spilled onto North Park Avenue in the early-morning hours of March 15. Police reports say there were many fights and yelling when officers arrived.
The crowd had North Park Avenue blocked so that traffic could not get through, reports state.
Officers arrested seven juveniles and Simpson. The juveniles face charges of delinquency by way of disorderly conduct and curfew violations. The cases are pending in county juvenile court.
A Comfort Inn employee said no alcohol was served at the party. He said there was a fight outside the hotel when the party let out.
What reports say
Police reports say Simpson swore at officers, and he was yelling at the crowd to hurt the police officers.
Simpson has denied the allegations, saying Sgt. Bill Boldin hit him on the head with what he believes to be a flashlight.
Atty. Maridee Costanzo, who represents Simpson, has asked the U.S. Justice Department to investigate the matter. Justice Department officials could not be reached to comment.
sinkovich@vindy.com