Russ, late to court, gets new date

WARREN -- Another hearing is set for next week for Irving R. Russ, the city man charged after a sport utility vehicle left 13-year-old Annie Lee of Howland seriously injured in a traffic accident.
Russ showed up a couple of hours late for his hearing Thursday, which was scheduled to determine whether he had found a new attorney. His lateness caused Judge John M. Stuard of Trumbull County Common Pleas Court to issue an arrest warrant for him, but that was rescinded when he appeared later.
Russ is now set to be in court next Thursday to determine what attorney will represent him, and other matters.
Atty. John Fowler asked the court last week to remove him from Russ' case because Russ was uncooperative with him. Russ is charged with failure to stop after an accident, tampering with evidence and complicity to tampering with evidence.
Russ, of Risher Road Southwest, is accused of hitting pedestrians Annie, her 3-year-old brother and her grandmother at U.S. Route 422 and North Road in 2004.
Annie, who was left a quadriplegic because of the accident, died earlier this month, raising questions about whether Russ would face additional charges. None have been filed.
His trial is set for Oct. 30.