Attorney collapse delays sheriff’s trial

Associated Press

TOLEDO

A defense attorney collapsed in court Friday during the trial of an Ohio sheriff charged with covering up the 2004 death of an inmate.

Court was adjourned early after attorney Jon Richardson collapsed while questioning an FBI agent in the U.S. District Court trial of Lucas County Sheriff James Telb and three co-defendants who are Telb’s current or former employees.

Richardson, who represents co-defendant Capt. Bob McBroom, was taken in a wheelchair from the courtroom and transported to an area hospital, The Blade reported.

Richardson was standing in front of the jury just before noon when he collapsed, and security officials cleared the courtroom. He was taken to a local hospital, and his condition was not immediately available.

The trial is scheduled to resume Tuesday.

Federal prosecutors say inmate Carlton Benton was beaten in the Lucas County jail, where he was being held on murder charges, and that Telb tried to cover it up.

Prosecutors have said sheriff’s deputy Sgt. John Gray choked the inmate with his forearm, and Benton suddenly went limp. They say another deputy had hit Benton before he died.

Telb and McBroom have pleaded not guilty to making a false statement and covering up a felony. Gray and Deputy Jay Schmeltz have pleaded not guilty to civil rights violations, falsification of documents and making false statements.

The sheriff could face up to three years in prison if convicted.