Defendant launches into tirade in courtroom

The defendant had carjacked a man outside a Youngstown hospital.

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

COLUMBUS —A victim of Billy Jack Fitzmorris’ crime rampage in April 2007 called him a ‘madman’ yesterday during his sentencing in federal court in here.

As if to prove the point, Fitzmorris, when it was his turn to speak, launched into a profane tirade, flipped the defense table and struggled with several deputy U.S. marshals.

He is the man who escaped from prison guards in Youngstown after stealing one of their guns and a uniform. He then hijacked a car and its driver, robbed banks in central Ohio, took a hostage in Hilliard and finally surrendered to police after they got him a pizza. Police said that he yelled: “What a ride! No one got hurt.”

U.S. District Judge Gregory L. Frost largely ignored the outburst as he sentenced Fitzmorris to 80 years in prison for escape, two bank robberies, gun crimes and taking hostages.

At one point during the judge’s explanation of the sentence, the defendant announced: “The first correction officer I get ahold of, I’m killing him.”

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Kelley responded by asking the judge to recommend that Fitzmorris be sent to the federal super-maximum prison in Florence, Colo. “The court will so recommend,” Frost said.

The judge ordered that the sentence be served after Fitzmorris completes a 35-year sentence imposed previously for drug trafficking.

Fitzmorris, 36, was in the Northeast Correctional Center in Youngstown awaiting that sentencing when his local crime rampage occurred on April 2, 2007.

Guards took Fitzmorris from the prison to St. Elizabeth Health Center in Youngstown, where he overpowered a guard in an examination room, stole his .38-caliber revolver and carjacked a driver outside. He drove to central Ohio, robbed banks in Powell and Upper Arlington and took a hostage at a Hilliard business before surrendering to police.

A federal jury convicted him of the crimes in September.

Christine Jones, a technician at the hospital who was among those held at gunpoint, was the only victim to speak in court yesterday. Her voice shook and she fought tears as she described the impact of the experience.

“I feel like I’m serving a prison sentence,” said Jones, who was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and hasn’t returned to work. “He committed the crimes, but I’m paying the price.”

Fitzmorris, a burly man with a braided goatee, stood and apologized to Jones, but quickly turned his attention to others, cursing at federal agents, prosecutors, the judge and a probation officer.

He complained that murderers receive lesser sentences than he.

Based on federal sentencing guidelines, Fitzmorris received a combined 30 years for the escape, bank robberies, hostage-taking and possession of a gun as a felon. Federal law also mandates that he serve two 25-year sentences for using a gun in each of the bank robberies.