High security at courthouse for Trumbull arraignments

High security at courthouse for Trumbull arraignments

WARREN

Officers with the Trumbull County Sheriff’s Office stood in front of the county courthouse with high- powered rifles at the ready.

Other deputies closed off High Street to vehicle traffic as a sheriff’s office van delivered two inmates charged with murder to a special entrance at the side of the main courthouse door.

Extra deputies also manned the interior of the courthouse.

Lt. Pete Lucic, one of the officers guarding the front entrance, said the weaponry and extra security were called for because of “several credible threats” the sheriff’s office received regard- ing Monday afternoon’s arraignment hearing for Dale A. Hatch, 25, and Derrick D. Peete, 22, both of Detroit.

“We’re taking steps to keep any of the threats from taking place,” Lucic said, refusing to elaborate on the threats. No violence occurred.

Hatch and Peete are charged with aggravated murder, attempted aggravated murder, tampering with evidence, felonious assault and other charges in the Nov. 11 killing of Marco Dukes, 32, of Warren.

Dukes was killed by several gunshots to his head and torso during a 10:30 a.m. gunbattle in the rear yard of an apartment house on Elm Road. Police say 40 or more shots were fired in the exchange. Assault rifles were used, and a bullet hit the window of a nearby day care that was closed at the time.

Dukes’ cousin, Larry A. Smith, 29, was hit in the torso but survived, thanks to a passerby on her way to a downtown Veterans Day event who allowed Smith to get into the back of her car and gave him a ride to ValleyCare Trumbull Memorial Hospital.