Probation for retaliation threat

YOUNGSTOWN — A man who threatened to kill Judge R. Scott Krichbaum of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court has pleaded guilty as charged to retaliation and been given three years’ probation.

Visiting Judge Thomas P. Curran accepted the plea and imposed the sentence Friday on Richard Clark Jr., 19, of Sheridan Road, who apologized in court.

But Judge Curran warned Clark that he could be sent to prison for up to three years if he violates the terms of his probation.

Clark already had been jailed from April 13, when he uttered the threat to two sheriff’s deputies at the county courthouse, until he was released Sept. 7 on a personal recognizance bond.

A psychiatric evaluation found Clark competent to stand trial. Clark, who will be required to undergo mental health counseling during his probation, had no prior criminal record.

Steven Shandor, assistant county prosecutor, said Judge Krichbaum told him he was satisfied with the plea agreement.

Clark uttered the threat after Judge Krichbaum resentenced Clark’s uncle. Clark’s aunt was arrested for contempt of court for slamming a door against a wall outside the courtroom. The aunt apologized to Judge Krichbaum, and the charge against her was dropped.

“When you’re shouting in the hallways of justice that you want to do damage to a judge, we just can’t take that lightly,” Judge Curran told Clark.