Man loses appeal in Galaxy Seafood case

YOUNGSTOWN — A man who was convicted for his part in the attempted robbery of a North Side seafood restaurant in which the robber was shot and killed by an off-duty police officer working security lost an appeal of his conviction today.

Nathaniel Dumas, 40, had asked the 7th District Court of Appeals to reverse his 2012 convictions from Mahoning County Common Pleas Court on the grounds he was barred from the courtroom for disruptive behavior and denied access to the proceedings in person even though he apologized.

Dumas said in his appeal the move was a violation of his constitutional right to confront all witnesses against him.

The appeals court, however, ruled that case law has upheld the banning of defendants from court for disruptive behavior, even if they have apologized.

Dumas was one of two men convicted for their roles in the death of Warren V. Wright, 32, of Youngstown, at the Galaxy Seafood restaurant on Belmont Avenue on April 8, 2011. Wright tried to rob the restaurant but was shot and killed by former city police officer Michael Walker, who was working security.

Dumas was charged with murder because the prosecution said he was Wright’s accomplice in the attempted robbery that resulted in Wright’s death.

For the complete story, read Tuesday's Vindicator and Vindy.com