Budd trial scheduled for Feb. 14

YOUNGSTOWN -- In an order filed Monday in U.S. District Court, Cleveland, trial for Michael Budd, ex-major with the Mahoning County Sheriff's Department, was set for Feb. 14.
A grand jury indicted Budd, 43, of Boardman, on May 8. He was demoted to deputy after indictment and placed on paid leave. He is charged with conspiracy to violate civil rights and obstruction of justice and three counts of deprivation of rights under color of law. He is accused of ordering the beating of one inmate at the Mahoning County jail and beating or ordering the beating of two others. Budd's Youngstown lawyer, Martin E. Yavorcik, filed a motion earlier this month asking that the trial, which was supposed to begin Monday with jury selection, begin at a later date. U.S. District Judge Lesley Brooks Wells granted the motion.
The case also involves three current and four former corrections officers, three of whom have pleaded guilty. Trial for the remaining four, all of whom are on paid leave, is set for Feb. 22 in Cleveland federal court.