TRUMBULL COUNTY Teens testify on Fowler program

It is not known if the police chief will testify.
By PEGGY SINKOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- Several teenagers who took part in the Fowler Township juvenile diversion program testified Wednesday before a Trumbull County grand jury.
The teenagers, who declined to talk to reporters, spent about 30 minutes each testifying in front of the jury, which is hearing evidence on Fowler Township Police Chief James Martin.
Atty. Sarah Kovoor, who is representing an 18-year-old that took part in the program, said her client was asked questions concerning the diversion program.
Grand-jury proceedings are not open to the public.
Kovoor said she is representing five teenagers who were involved in the diversion program. She said as part of the program, all five were subjected to paddling by Martin.
Two of her clients have filed federal lawsuits claiming that their constitutional rights had been violated.
The grand jury is expected to meet again next week.
Atty. Dominic Vitantonio, who represents Martin, said he is not sure if his client will testify.
Suspended from 2 jobs
Martin, who is also a captain for the Howland Police Department, has been suspended from both jobs.
Martin has not been charged criminally.
This is the fifth time the grand jury has heard evidence in the case on Martin.
Atty. Mark Finamore, who represents Fowler township, says he doesn't think the trustees knew that Martin was operating the juvenile diversion program in which teenagers were reportedly paddled.
Finamore said the township no longer operates the diversion program.
The FBI and the state Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation are investigating Martin. Vitantonio has said that he does not think Martin will face any criminal charges.
He said that Martin used corporal punishment in his diversion program only in limited cases and that when paddling was used, the juvenile and parents both agreed beforehand.
sinkovich@vindy.com