Police searched Seman's home, vehicle and inmate property

YOUNGSTOWN — Investigators served three search warrants last week in their investigation of a man who had a witness die the day he was set to go trial for rape.

According to affidavits filed with the court after the warrants were served, investigators searched a vehicle, a property room at the county jail belonging to inmate Robert Seman and Seman’s home on West Calla Road in Green.

Seman, 46, was to go on trial March 30 in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court for the rape of a 10-year-old girl and faced life in prison if convicted. Corinne Gump, the victim in the rape case, and her grandparents, William and Judith Schmidt, were killed in a fire that broke out at their 3631 Powers Way home just hours before court was to begin.

Investigators Friday would neither confirm or deny reports that Seman was treated for burns April 1 that he was able to conceal for two days while he was an inmate at the jail.

Prosecutors asked in the affidavit with the returned warrant that the warrants remain sealed as well as the contents of what was seized, citing the ongoing investigation.

That request was granted by Judge Shirley J. Christian, who issued the warrants.