YOUNGSTOWN Inmate's tumble causes mistrial

The inmate fractured both heels in a fall at the jail.
By BOB JACKSON
VINDICATOR COURTHOUSE REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- The trial of a man accused of holding his former girlfriend hostage two years ago ended Friday because the defendant couldn't make it to court.
James E. Martin Sr., 49, of Lansdowne Boulevard, was on trial in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court for kidnapping and felonious assault. Jurors began hearing testimony Thursday, and the trial was to resume Friday.
But Judge James C. Evans declared a mistrial after learning that Martin was hurt earlier that morning in a fall at the county jail, where he's being held while the case is pending.
Sheriff Randall Wellington said Martin "resisted" when deputies told him it was time to get ready for court. He said Martin, whose cell is on the second level of the two-tiered cell pod for inmates with mental health concerns, climbed over a rail and grabbed a pole.
Wellington said Martin started to slide down the pole to the first floor, about 5 feet below. He got about halfway down the pole and fell to the floor, Wellington said.
Jail Warden Alki Santamas said Martin landed on his feet and fractured both of his heels. He was taken to a local hospital and returned to the jail, where he is in the medical wing.
Accusation against him
Martin is accused of holding his former girlfriend hostage at knifepoint for some six hours at her Roslyn Drive home in May 2002. He eventually released her, police said.
Martin's attorney, Maridee Costanzo, said in her opening statement Thursday that Martin is mentally ill and had not taken his medication that day.
Martin had originally pleaded innocent by reason of insanity, but two court-ordered psychiatric examinations showed that he was competent to stand trial.
Judge Evans said he will order a third competency evaluation in the wake of Martin's actions Friday morning and his subsequent injuries.
"Maybe his condition has worsened" since the last evaluation, the judge said.
bjackson@vindy.com