Man who pointed gun at cop arraigned

By Joe Gorman

jgorman@vindy.com

YOUNGSTOWN

A municipal court judge Friday ordered a competency evaluation on a man who is accused of pointing a gun at a city police officer.

Willie Bright III, 31, of Park Hill Avenue, was arraigned Friday before Judge Robert Milich on charges of felonious assault, carrying a concealed weapon and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Judge Milich set bond at $150,000 for Bright, who protested the bond was too high.

“Your honor, I don’t have that type of money,” Bright said.

Bright was arrested about 8:45 a.m. Wednesday at his home after an officer fired four rounds at him but missed. Police say Wright called 911 and said he needed a police officer at his home but hung up before he could say why an officer was needed.

Two cars were dispatched for what is referred to as an “unknown trouble” call, and when the officers arrived, Bright was on his front porch. He stood up and pointed a revolver at one of them, and the officer fired. Bright retreated to his house and was coaxed out about 15 minutes later by negotiators. By that time, his house had been surrounded by police, and his street also was blocked off.

The officer who fired the shots has been placed on paid administrative leave, which is standard practice whenever an officer fires his weapon at a person. His name has not yet been released. He is expected to return to work early next week. The department’s Internal Affairs Division is investigating.

Assistant City Prosecutor Kathy Thompson told Judge Milich that Bright has past convictions for felony and misdemeanor domestic violence, aggravated criminal trespass and contempt of court. She also said he has had several domestic-violence arrests that did not lead to charges being filed in court.

Judge Milich asked Robert Ritchie, the attorney at the jail who was advising inmates on their arraignments, if Bright understood the proceedings, and Ritchie said he did not think Bright did. Ritchie told Judge Milich that Bright told him he was a paranoid schizophrenic and that Bright did not understand the arraignment procedure when Ritchie explained it to him.