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Murder suspect back in court
YOUNGSTOWN
A 20-year-old North Side man accused of murder almost found himself back in Mahoning County jail awaiting trial after prosecutors say he violated terms of his electronically monitored house arrest.
Keilan Clinkscale, of Coronado Avenue, appeared Wednesday before Judge John M. Durkin of common pleas court for a bond revocation hearing.
Clinkscale has been free on a $60,000 bond with the stipulation he remain at home under monitored house arrest.
Keilan Clinkscale along with Ryan J. McGee, 22, of Superior Street, Brandon T. Clinkscale, 24, of Selma Avenue, and Charles C. Richardson, 24, of Alameda Avenue, are each charged with murder, felonious assault and improperly discharging a firearm at or into a habitation in the death of 24-year-old Melkanoe L. Bowman in February 2009.
According to reports, Bowman was shot in the head in the 900 block of Delaware Avenue on the city’s North Side in what police said was a feud. Witnesses told police dozens of shots were fired outside the home.
A bullet from the shooting also hit a 6-year-old boy across the street in his left foot as he slept, resulting in the felonious-assault charge.
Prosecutors, in a motion to revoke bond filed in court this week, said Clinkscale signed up for electronically monitored house arrest through Community Corrections Association on May 12, then had multiple periods of time where he could not be found in December.
CCA reported Clinkscale out of range for periods of time ranging from 11 minutes to more than 90 minutes.
Jennifer McLaughlin, an assistant county prosecutor, told the court the December incidents were the first time Clinkscale had a problem with EMHA.
McLaughlin said it was imperative the prosecutor’s office file a motion to revoke Clinkscale’s bond because of the nature of the charges against him.
He was counted out of range six times on two days in December.
Atty. Anthony Meranto, representing Clinkscale, told the court his client does not routinely break the terms of his EMHA bond and has not broken any laws while out on bond.
“As far as doing things in the right fashion, Mr. Clinkscale does. If he goes to my office or if he leaves to go anywhere, he gets a letter [for permission]. We can’t explain these instances. ... We would ask the court to indulge us,” he said.
Judge Durkin noted there have been instances of equipment failure with EMHA but said that does not appear to be the case in this situation. He permitted Clinkscale to remain free on bond but issued a stern warning.
“Obviously, in the future, if it is proven that you are out of range and somewhere not authorized, the state will be knocking on my door, and if that is proven, I will revoke bond,” Judge Durkin said.