Four convicted in case of disorderly conduct

By Ed Runyan

Eight of 10 individuals charged have had their cases completed.

CORTLAND — Four young people have been convicted of disorderly conduct, four have had their charges dismissed after performing community service, and two others have cases pending in alleged involvement in a drinking party above the garage at a Cortland councilwoman’s house.

On Friday, four had charges dismissed by Judge Thomas Campbell in Central District Court after performing 20 hours of community service and passing a drug test. Court records indicate charges were dropped despite there being probable cause for their arrest, court officials said.

The four are Steven T. Burns, 18; Nicholas L. Schuller III, 18; Ryland M. Hardman, 18; and Brittney K. Zemko, 19. All are from Cortland and all faced charges such as underage consumption and disorderly conduct.

Each one paid court costs of $67.

Four others previously pleaded no contest to the minor misdemeanor charge of disorderly conduct. Each was found guilty and paid a fine and $67 in court costs.

They are Jonathan M. Wazelle, 21; Matthew B. Kohuth II, 20; Grahm R. Governor, 19; and Kyle B. Munson, 19. Each paid a $50 fine except Munson, who paid $25, court officials said.

Another person charged, Kyle G. Smedi, 18, pleaded innocent. His next hearing set for Sept. 24.

David J. Petrosky, 18, son of the councilwoman, is away at college, and his hearing will be rescheduled for later, court officials said.

Police were called to the area off of Park Avenue and Lattin Street about 1 a.m. July 24 for a fight and observed people running as officers drove into view.

Officers apprehended one youth and began looking for others in the garage area at 137 Market St., about a block north, a Cortland Police Department report says.

The address is the home of Diedre Petrosky, councilwoman and one-time candidate for Cortland mayor.

Officers heard noises in the upstairs area of the garage. There, officers found 10 youths, all of them 21 or younger, and many beer cans, bottles of clear liquid and a cooler containing an unidentified alcoholic beverage. Officers also found speed limit and other types of street signs.

Others were arrested near the home. Five juveniles were also charged.

Sean O’Brien, the assistant Trumbull County prosecutor handling the case, could not be reached to comment on whether any other charges are likely as a result of the episode.

runyan@vindy.com