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Homeless man guilty of trespassing released from jail
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Thomas Boddie
YOUNGSTOWN
The homeless man allegedly beaten by teens and then arrested for criminal trespassing has been released from jail one day before Thanksgiving.
Thomas Boddie, 58, appeared Wednesday before municipal Judge Robert Douglas for sentencing on a misdemeanor charge of criminal trespassing. Boddie appeared wearing the county-issued orange jumpsuit and nursing a bandaged cut above his right eye.
Boddie pleaded no contest to the charge and was found guilty last week but told the judge that he did not remember entering the plea. The judge told Boddie he was going forward with the charge entered in the official record.
Boddie had been in the Mahoning County jail for 10 days before his appearance in court for sentencing. Judge Douglas sentenced Boddie to 10 days in jail but gave the man credit for the 10 days he already had served in jail. The judge suspended any fines associated with the charge.
The criminal-trespassing charge stems from an incident at McDonald’s Restaurant on Fifth Avenue earlier this month where Boddie is said to have been causing a disturbance and refused to leave the property. He had been warned to stay away from the property on two previous occasions.
Police said that once he was taken into custody, Boddie continued to be difficult with officers — even spitting at officers before being booked into the jail.
Boddie also made news when he reportedly was beaten and hit with rocks by a group juveniles in the Idora neighborhood on the city’s South Side. No charges have been filed against the juveniles. Boddie received medical attention at a local hospital.
The alleged beating was not the first time this year officers found Boddie beaten and in need of medical attention.
According to police reports, Boddie was found Oct. 16 passed out on the sidewalk near West Federal Street. Officers reported that he had a cut near his left ear with dried blood around the wound.
Boddie reportedly told officers he had been at a house near Covington Street when he was punched, kicked and pistol-whipped before walking downtown and passing out. He was taken to St. Elizabeth Health Center and treated for his injuries. No arrests were made in that incident.