METRO DIGEST || Man seeking wounded vet plates going to trial

Going to trial

WARREN

A Kinsman man accused of falsifying records in order to get license plates designated for wounded war veterans changed his mind about entering a plea to the charges.

According to The Vindicator’s broadcast partner, 21 WFMJ-TV, several representatives from veterans organizations were in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court on Thursday, expecting to see Keith Chandler, 34, plead guilty.

Instead, Chandler decided to go to trial on seven counts of tampering with records and one count of forgery. Authorities say Chandler misled the Bureau of Motor Vehicles in order to obtain Purple Heart license plates. Chandler is expected to go to trial next month.

The U.S. awards the Purple Heart to those wounded or killed while serving in the military.

Attempted firebombing

YOUNGSTOWN

A city woman told police she and her four children were sleeping at their South Side home when someone threw a firebomb through the bedroom window, according to a report from The Vindicator’s broadcast partner, 21 WFMJ-TV.

The 40-year-old resident, who lives in the 3500 block of DeSoto Avenue, told police she was sleeping in the living room early Wednesday when she was awakened by the sound of breaking glass.

On the floor of the back bedroom, the woman found a broken 40-ounce beer bottle that had been filled with gasoline. There was a burned-out white rag stuffed into the neck of the bottle.

Investigators say the flame burned out before starting a fire.

Neither the woman nor any of her children, age 3, 5,11 and 16, were injured.

The woman told police she didn’t see anyone and had no suspects in mind. The investigation continues.