Man arraigned in courthouse assault on Atty. Rucci, city cop

YOUNGSTOWN — A 27-year-old Youngstown man is in Mahoning County jail in lieu of a $10,000 bond, accused of attacking an attorney and punching a police officer downtown.

Keith Slade, 27, of East Dewey Avenue, was arraigned today before Judge Robert Douglas of Youngstown Municipal Court on charges of assault and assault of a police officer.

According to police reports, Slade walked up to Atty. Sebastian Rucci, who is embroiled in a legal battle over the Go Go Cabaret in Austintown, and punched him in the face several times outside the federal courthouse on Market Street at 3:58 p.m. Wednesday. Rucci’s face was bloodied, the report says.

Prosecutorssaid during Slade’s arraignment that Rucci briefly passed out from the attack.

Rucci was taken to St. Elizabeth Health Center for observation.

Witnesses said Slade walked away after the attack like nothing serious happened, and was arrested, but not before punching a Youngstown police officer in the face. The officer suffered a chipped tooth.

For the complete story, read Friday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com.