PAVING PROJECT Lawyers say brothers accused in beating acted in self-defense

The last time trial was set to begin, not enough potential jurors showed up.
By PATRICIA MEADE
VINDICATOR CRIME REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Michael and Thomas Romano admit they struck a union organizer at their nonunion paving project but will testify they acted in self-defense, lawyers say.
The brothers are accused of beating Blaine Daugherty III, 31, of Willoughby Hills, Ohio, a union representative who was videotaping the Romanos' paving project on West Rayen Avenue last October.
The Romanos contend Daugherty had a knife. Police have said no independent witnesses saw Daugherty pull a knife.
Michael Romano also faces a charge of criminal damaging. During the altercation, Daugherty's camera was damaged.
After Daugherty was injured, roughly 100 union workers showed up at the paving site to protest. City and Youngstown State University campus police were required to keep order.
Jury selection, meanwhile, lasted most of Monday. The trial resumed today.
Youngstown attorney James S. Gentile represents Michael Romano, 38, of Wampum, Pa. Boardman attorney J. Gerald Ingram represents Thomas Romano, 34, of New Castle.
During jury selection, the defense lawyers said their clients will testify they struck Daugherty in self-defense.
Ingram said Thomas Romano came to the aid of his brother.
What happened
The trial had been set for March 22 but had to be reset because not enough potential jurors showed up. Although 24 were on hand for orientation, only 15 showed up the day trial began, which Judge Elizabeth A. Kobly said was not a large enough pool from which to choose eight jurors and one alternate.
On Wednesday, 62 potential jurors were available, as they were last Friday for orientation. Each will be paid $15 per day.
Bassil Ally, an assistant city prosecutor, is expected to call at least six witnesses today, including two city patrolmen.
The Romanos' family business, Cleveland Asphalt of Bessemer, Pa., had contracted with the Ohio Department of Transportation for the paving of 2.8 miles along U.S. Route 422 and state Route 289 in the city. Work began Sept. 15 and was stopped Oct. 9 after equipment left at the job site on West Rayen Avenue was vandalized.
The balance of the paving had to be completed by another company.
meade@vindy.com