Inmate assaults officers at Columbiana Co. jail

Staff report

LISBON

A man facing a second trial in a 2006 homicide has assaulted two correctional officers at the Columbiana County jail.

Chief Deputy Allen Haueter of the Columbiana County Sheriff’s Office said Monday that Andrew Irwin fought with two officers on July 13.

A report stated that about 11 a.m. that day, Irwin refused to follow a final lockdown order to get into his cell.

According to the report, Irwin then punched a corrections officer and spit in the face of a lieutenant.

Haueter said that Irwin often causes trouble.

He was charged in connection with the deadly stabbing of Emily Foreman, over drugs in Liverpool Township, on Aug. 23, 2006.

He was tried and convicted but received a new trial because he was represented by then Atty. George Kafantaris.

Seventh District Court of Appeals Judge Gene Donofrio wrote in a 42-page opinion that Kafantaris’ numerous errors throughout the trial, and a motion for a new trial, resulted in “both ineffective assistance of counsel and cumulative error wanting reversal.”

Court records show that Irwin called authorities and said a woman had attacked him.