Judge finds suspect guilty of assault

YOUNGSTOWN -- Judge Maureen A. Sweeney of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court has found a city man innocent of attempted murder, but guilty of felonious assault against another man.
Judge Sweeney announced her verdict Monday in the case of David Gayles, 48, of Pineview Avenue, Youngstown. Gayles had been charged with attempted murder and felonious assault after a confrontation with Athol Ballard in Ballard's home on West Marion Avenue in April 2001.
During a bench trial last week before Judge Sweeney, Ballard testified that he made money by renting rooms, some of which were used for prostitution. Ballard said Gayles came to the house regularly until he told him not to return.
Gayles said he knew Ballard through family members and had given Ballard $20 to paint a fence for him. Gayles said he went to Ballard's house to ask when the work would be done. Gayles said Ballard had a knife, which he tried to take away while they fought.
Gayles will be in Mahoning County jail while he awaits sentencing.