Youngstown lawyers charged with extortion, obstruction request acquittal

YOUNGSTOWN

Two Youngstown lawyers charged with extortion and obstructing justice want the federal judge who declared a mistrial in their case last month to issue a judgment of acquittal for them on all counts without conducting a new trial.

Attys. Neal Atway, 47, of Youngstown, and Scott Cochran, 43, of Austintown, partners in a downtown Youngstown law office, said in motions before Chief U.S. District Judge Solomon Oliver Jr. they should be acquitted because the government’s evidence is insufficient to support the charges.

Judges Oliver has not ruled on their motions.

After presiding over the monthlong criminal trial of Atway and Cochran in Cleveland, Judge Oliver declared a mistrial as requested by the defense lawyers.

A court spokeswoman said she was only authorized to say the judge declared a mistrial based on communications received from the jury during deliberations.

Read more of the story in Thursday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.