Man’s mouth taped after court outburst

March 13, 2008 at 5:55p.m.

YOUNGSTOWN — A disruptive aggravated murder suspect was subdued by sheriff’s deputies, and his mouth was duct-taped shut after obscenities were shouted at a judge.

Michael W. Lee, 20, of Cordova Avenue, is scheduled to go on trial on Monday for aggravated murder.

But he was sentenced Thursday to 30 days in jail for contempt of court when he became disruptive during his final pre-trial hearing.

Judge R. Scott Krichbaum of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court imposed the time on Lee, who was already being detained in Mahoning County jail awaiting his trial.

Lee is one of three men indicted last December on aggravated murder, aggravated robbery and kidnapping charges with gun specifications in the Nov. 18 shooting death of James E. Dow, 28, of South Lakeview Avenue. Dow was found dead in the basement of 145 Thornton Ave., his feet bound with tape. Police said the motive was robbery and drug-related.

Read more in Friday’s Vindicator and at vindy.com