Defense lawyer withdraws from deadly arson case

March 12, 2008 at 11:30a.m.

YOUNGSTOWN — Atty. Martin E. Yavorcik has asked for and received permission to withdraw as co-counsel for Michael A. Davis, the 18-year-old charged with setting the Jan. 23 East Side house fire that killed six people.

During a pre-trial hearing, Yavorcik told Judge R. Scott Krichbaum this morning that he wanted to withdraw from the Davis case because of his independent candidacy for Mahoning County prosecutor.

“The focus of this case has to be the facts, and not the lawyers trying the case,” Yavorcik told the common pleas judge. “I just don’t think it’s fair to Mr. Davis,” Yavorcik added.

Read more in Thursday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com