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Investigators served three warrants in fire investigation
By Joe Gorman
YOUNGSTOWN
Investigators served three warrants last week as they investigate a man after a witness in a rape case against him died just hours before his trial.
Court papers Monday revealed that warrants were served at the West Calla Road home of Robert Seman in Green Township, and a vehicle and some of Seman’s property at the Mahoning County jail also were searched.
Prosecutors asked that the search warrants remain sealed because they said if any of the information is made public, it could harm their investigation. Judge Shirley J. Christian of common pleas court agreed and ordered the return of the warrant and the affidavits to remain sealed.
Seman has been in jail since his bond was revoked March 30, shortly after a fire killed Corinne Gump, 10, and her grandparents, William and Judith Schmidt, inside the Schmidts’ 3631 Powers Way home on the South Side.
Seman was to go on trial March 30 in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court. He is charged with raping the girl and could face life in prison if convicted. Prosecutors asked for his bond to be revoked because they told Judge Maureen Sweeney a woman told them that Seman had offered her money the weekend before the trial began to tell prosecutors the girl changed her story. Judge Sweeney agreed to the bond revocation.
Investigators have refused to confirm or deny reports Seman concealed the burns on his body until they were discovered April 1 at the jail and he was treated for them. They have said the investigation is ongoing and releasing any information may hamper their case.
No official cause for the fire has been listed. Investigators with the state fire marshal’s office and Capt. Alvin Ware of the city fire department’s Fire Investigation Unit have only said the blaze started in the basement. Several pieces of material have been shipped away for testing.
Ware said Monday there is nothing new to report on the case.
The rape case against Seman has been continued, and a new date has not been set, nor has a date been set for a bond hearing.