Metro Digest || Woman reports rape

Woman reports rape

YOUNGSTOWN

Police are trying to determine who raped a mentally challenged woman walking to a friend’s house on the South Side. According to police, the 19-year-old woman said she was walking in the area of Mistletoe Avenue and Hillman Street on Sunday afternoon headed to a friend’s house on Hillman Street when a man grabbed her. The woman said the man covered her mouth and dragged her into an abandoned house where she was sexually assaulted. Reports say the man warned the girl not to say anything then walked away after the sexual assault. The woman went back to her home and told her guardian what happened.

Hearing for Brown

NEW CASTLE, Pa.

A hearing to determine whether Jordan Brown will be tried as a juvenile or adult in the shotgun killing of his father’s fianc e is set for 9:30 a.m. Friday in Lawrence County Common Pleas Court Judge Dominick Motto’s courtroom here. Jordan, now 13, was 11 when he was accused in February 2009 of slaying Kenzie Houk, 26 ,and her unborn child as she lay in bed at the New Galilee house where she and her two young daughters lived with Jordan and his father. After an initial hearing, Motto ruled Jordan should be tried as an adult. An appeals court overruled that decision, stating Jordan’s refusal to admit guilt could not be held against him in making the decision, and ordered the court to have another hearing on the matter. If convicted as an adult, Jordan would face life in prison without parole, while a juvenile conviction would mean he could only be held until age 21.

Beating, robbery

NEW CASTLE, Pa.

State police are investigating the Sunday afternoon beating and robbery of a 48-year-old Ellwood City man, during which one of the robbers fired a gun. The victim told police he was walking on Hollow Road in Wayne Township with a 27-year-old New Castle man at 4:50 p.m. when several known robbers in three separate vehicles confronted them, one of them firing a .45-caliber pistol once from one of the vehicles, almost striking both men. Three other assailants then tackled the 48-year-old, kicking and punching him numerous times in the head, face and chest and robbing him of about $140, prescription medication and a cellphone. The 48-year-old victim was treated for a concussion and cuts at Jameson Memorial Hospital. The 27-year-old fled and was not injured, police said, adding that criminal charges are pending.

Special election

WARREN

Bazetta Township voters are being asked whether to approve one police renewal levy and one roads replacement levy in today’s special election. The 1.8-mill police levy would raise $254,800 per year for five years, just as it does now. The 0.6-mill, five-year roads replacement levy would raise $98,994 per year. It currently raises $50,375 annually. Polls in Bazetta Township will be open 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Multiple charges

youngstown

A 19-year-old Youngstown man was arrested Monday on weapons and robbery charges. Youngstown City Police officers responded to a report of gunshots being fired into the air near McGuffey Road and Landsdowne Boulevard. After observing a red vehicle exiting from behind McGuffey Plaza, officers initiated a traffic stop. The driver, James A. Carter, exited the car and was ordered by gun point onto the rear of the car. A female passenger stated to police that he had used a weapon to force her to give him $100. Police searched the vehicle and found a .32-caliber revolver loaded with four live rounds, and two spent shell casings under the passengers seat. The victim stated that the suspect placed the weapon in that location when he saw police. Carter was arrested on charges of carrying a concealed weapon, discharging a firearm within city limits and aggravated robbery.