Judge orders psych evaluation for woman involved in Liberty hostage situation

WARREN — Judge Peter Kontos of Trumbull County Common Pleas Court has ordered an evaluation to determine whether Sandra Pavelko Smith, 48, of Youngstown is competent to stand trial on charges that she participated in a May 18 hostage situation in Liberty Township.

She is charged with multiple counts of felonious assault and kidnapping and single counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm and aggravated burglary.

Eventually, eight people were released from the home, in the 3100 block of Hadley Avenue.

Her attorney, John F. Shultz, sought the evaluation, saying Pavelko Smith’s current mental condition “as demonstrated by her behavior and present counseling with PsyCare Behavioral Healthcare and Counseling,” suggests she’s unable to assist in her defense.