Judges boost courthouse security

An arrest warrant was issued for a woman who appeared to have started the courtroom brawl.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- Responding to a courtroom melee last week, Trumbull County Common Pleas Court judges have ordered increased courthouse security.
The order was signed Wednesday by the five judges.
A week ago, Jason Howard, who is charged with murders here and in Columbus, was attacked by three members of a Warren family in the courtroom of Judge John M. Stuard.
The number of deputies guarding the courthouse will be increased from three to at least four. Two deputies will screen those entering the building and two will patrol the courthouse floors and monitor court proceedings.
Howard, 24, of Liberty, is charged here with one count each of aggravated murder, attempted murder and aggravated kidnapping, all with firearm specifications; aggravated robbery; felonious assault; and being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.
In Columbus, he faces four counts of murder. Howard is accused there of killing his ex-girlfriend, Jameila West, 27; her 10-year-old daughter, Jameire Erwin; and her 5-year-old son, Tre'vion Williams, and West and Howard's 3-year-old son, Jakia Howard. The bodies were found in their home June 21.
What happened
Last Wednesday, Howard was waiting for an evidence suppression hearing on the local charges to begin in Judge Stuard's courtroom. West's mother, Victoria West, walked into the courtroom and hit Howard in the head with her hand. A warrant has been issued for her arrest, charging her with inciting to violence and attempting to commit an offense.
Other family members then began to pummel Howard in the courtroom. Sulthan Honzu, 29, of Ogden Avenue, Warren, Victoria West's nephew; and Lewis West, 30, of Arthur Street, her son; were charged with misdemeanor assault. The two men will appear in Warren Municipal Court at 1:30 p.m. Jan. 11.
Judge Andrew Logan, common pleas court administrative judge, said in a letter released Wednesday that a committee has been formed to visit other county courthouses and administrative buildings in Northeast Ohio to review how they handle court security.
The committee members are: Ernie Cook, sheriff's department chief deputy; county Commissioner Paul Heltzel, or his designee; Magistrate Patrick McCarthy; and Gary Hetzel, county prosecutor's investigator.
Judge Logan said that consideration will be given to increasing and improving courthouse video monitoring and recording.
One suggestion made by county Prosecutor Dennis Watkins is that state legislators be contacted so that new legislation can be proposed making it a felony to commit crimes in a courthouse.
yovich@vindy.com