Man slain a day after 43rd birthday

YOUNGSTOWN — Richard D. Helms had only a day to celebrate his 43rd birthday before being shot to death. The Himrod Avenue man was found dead Thursday afternoon on the kitchen floor at 376 Randolph St. Court records list his birthdate as Feb. 21, 1964, and show he was facing trial next Wednesday in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court on a forgery charge.

David M. Klamer Jr., 47, was charged with murder after an hour-long standoff with police and a threat to commit “suicide by cop.” Klamer, who lives at 376 Randolph, was coaxed out by a hostage negotiator and taken to St. Elizabeth Health Center.

City Prosecutor Jay Macejko said a murder warrant was issued today for Klamer. Once released from the hospital, he will be arraigned in municipal court. “It’s a complicated set of facts but I’m comfortable with charging Mr. Klamer with murder. Whether or not defenses will be available to him at common pleas court is not part of my consideration,” Macejko said. “There’s some suggestion of self defense or mental illness but it’s way too premature to know. He fired a weapon and it resulted in death.”