3 accused in fight plead not guilty


By John W. Goodwin Jr.

jgoodwin@vindy.com

YOUNGSTOWN

Three women charged with attempted murder and felonious assault after a day of violence with another group of women will be back in court next week.

Shalena Clark, 38, her daughter Rayshawnda Clark, 20, and Darlesha Jones, 19, who is related to the Clarks, appeared for arraignment Tuesday before Magistrate Daniel Dascenzo of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court.

Shalena Clark, who is free on a $50,000 bond, pleaded not guilty to the two counts of attempted murder against her. The court continued her bond and ordered her to appear Tuesday before Judge James Evans of common pleas court.

Rayshawnda Clark, who still is in the county jail, faces charges of attempted murder, three counts of felonious assault and two counts of criminal damaging. She also pleaded not guilty to the charges pending against her.

The court continued her $100,000 bond. She also is slated to appear Tuesday before Judge Evans.

Jones pleaded not guilty to a single charge of complicity to felonious assault and also has been ordered to appear in court Tuesday. She is in jail on a $25,000 bond, and the court continued that bond.

A witness recounted a day filled with violence between the three women and another group of three women that led to the attempted-murder charges.

Rayshawnda Clark reportedly used a large wrench to break out the windows of a Ford Explorer belonging to another woman July 24, a Sunday. The witness said Rayshawnda Clark also cut her with a pair of scissors.

The witness, in a statement during a previous court hearing, said the violence continued later that same day with the Clark women allegedly hurling rocks at an Avondale Avenue home on the South Side while the three victims in the case slept inside.

The witness said the day culminated at the Brooklyn Avenue home, also on the South Side, where the Clarks and Jones live. The witness said she and her mother went to the home to speak with the women about the ongoing feud, but a fight broke out.

The witness said one of her friends was beaten with pots and pans then sprayed with oven cleaner. The witness said Shalena Clark pulled out a small silver gun and pointed it at the head of her friend and pulled the trigger, but the gun did not fire.

The witness added that Rayshawnda Clark took the gun and pointed it at a general crowd of people and pulled the trigger, but again the weapon did not fire.