WARREN Judge OKs delay of man's trial

The defense wants to find an expert on the effects of the herb ephedra.
By PEGGY SINKOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- A man accused of killing a 4-year-old boy says an over-the-counter pill he was taking for energy may have caused him to hurt the child, a defense attorney says.
Ephedra, an herb, was contained in the energy booster Michael Ledger was taking around the time Logan Guiton of Warren died.
Ephedra, which is marketed as a dietary supplement for weight loss and energy, can cause rage, said Atty. Reginald Maxton, Ledger's defense lawyer.
Maxton asked Judge John Stuard on Monday for a continuance in Ledger's trial so that an expert on the effects of ephedra can be located.
The judge agreed and scheduled the trial for Jan. 5. Ledger's trial was set to begin Monday.
The Ephedra Education Council Web site says ephedra is safe if taken properly.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration Medical Bulletin written in September 1994, however, states that many people have reported adverse reactions associated with the use of ephedra.
Quote from report
"These reported reactions vary from the milder adverse effects known to be associated with sympathomimetic stimulants (e.g., nervousness, dizziness, tremor, alternations in blood pressure or heart rate, headache, gastrointestinal distress) to chest pain, myocardial infarction, hepatitis, stroke, seizures, psychosis and death," the bulletin states.
Ledger, who is in the county jail on $1 million bond, has pleaded innocent to a murder charge.
Police said Logan died Jan. 20 of a severe head injury. Ledger was Logan's legal guardian.
Police said Ledger, who has three other children, including Logan's 6-year-old brother, called 911 around 4:20 a.m. Jan. 18 to say Logan was not breathing.
In a recording of the call, Ledger can be heard telling the dispatcher the boy had been bad.
The older boy is staying with Ledger's relatives.
Runako Stroud, Logan's mother, said Ledger was granted custody of both her sons, but she's trying to get custody of her 6-year-old.
sinkovich@vindy.com