First all-female appeals panel hears first case today in Youngstown

YOUNGSTOWN

It was a first for Mahoning County.

The first all-female three-judge panel of the 7th District Court of Appeals heard oral arguments Wednesday morning.

Judge Carol Ann Robb, whose six-year term on the four-judge appeals court began Monday, and Judges Mary DeGenaro and Cheryl L. Waite heard the case of a man appealing his conviction for threatening domestic violence. They will rule in writing at a later date. The appellate court’s fourth judge is Gene Donofrio.

Judge Robb, of New Waterford, is a former Columbiana County Municipal Court judge.

She was elected Nov. 4 to replace Judge Joseph J. Vukovich, who did not seek re-election to the appeals court.

The appeals court was founded in the 1880s.

Read more about the court and the cases heard today in Thursday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.