Defendant flees courthouse, returns and is found guilty

The man was arrested Friday morning when he showed up for court.
By DEBORA SHAULIS
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Mahoning County Common Pleas Court Judge R. Scott Krichbaum says he remembers times when defendants haven't show up for their trials in his courtroom, but he can't recall a case where a defendant left during proceedings -- until now.
Lawrence Davis, 26, of New Road, Austintown, has two reasons to appear again before Judge Krichbaum. Davis will be sentenced Monday after a jury found him guilty Friday of five counts of trafficking in cocaine.
Davis also must appear at a show cause hearing on a contempt of court charge for leaving his trial Thursday during a recess.
The Mahoning Valley Drug Task Force investigated Davis from June 2003 to March 2004 after receiving complaints that Davis was distributing cocaine in Austintown, said Youngstown Patrolman Robert Patton, a task force supervisor.
One of the five convictions against Davis was for selling cocaine near Cleveland Elementary School in Youngstown, which elevates the seriousness of the crime, said Assistant Prosecutor Terry A. Grenga.
Davis' testimony
Both Atty. Grenga and Davis' defense attorney, Paul C. Conn, had rested their cases Thursday afternoon without Davis taking the witness stand. Judge Krichbaum called for a brief recess before ruling on when closing arguments should begin. When court was called into session, Davis couldn't be found. The judge revoked Davis' bond and issued a contempt citation. Sheriff's deputies searched the courthouse, and task force members looked for Davis overnight.
Davis showed up at the courthouse Friday morning for his trial and was arrested by deputies.
Davis changed his mind about testifying on his behalf, which Judge Krichbaum allowed Friday, despite the objections of the prosecution and the defense. That's when Davis apologized for leaving and said that the proceedings had been moving too quickly for him, the judge said.
The jury did not know that Davis had been missing until he said so during his testimony, the judge also said.
Davis may be sentenced to up to 21 years in prison on his drug convictions, Atty. Grenga said. The penalty for contempt of court is at the judge's discretion and will be "commensurate with the gravity of the offense," Judge Krichbaum said.
shaulis@vindy.com