Man indicted in Cleveland Street homicide

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

A Mahoning County grand jury indicted the suspect in the death of a 41-year-old Cleveland Street woman Nov. 6 in her home on charges that could bring the death penalty if he is convicted.

Lance Hundley, 46, with addresses on Cleveland Street and Washington Street Northeast in Warren, was indicted Thursday on charges of aggravated murder, attempted murder, felonious assault and two counts of aggravated arson in the killing of Erika Huff, 41, and the beating of her mother.

Both were found by police answering an alarm call at Huff’s home about 3 a.m. Nov. 6. Reports said the officers spotted a fire, then saw Hundley try to leave the house, but he went back inside when he saw police.

Firefighters were called to the scene and found Huff dead and partially burned, but they saved her mother and Hundley. Police took Hundley into custody and charged him later that day. Huff’s mother is recuperating in St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital.

Huff’s mother came to the home when her daughter, who was confined to a wheelchair by multiple sclerosis, triggered a medical-alert alarm.

Grand jurors found Hundley is eligible for the death penalty because Huff died during the commission of two felonies – the attempted murder of her mother and the aggravated arson.

In another case, the grand jury indicted Frankie Hudson Jr., 22, on charges of aggravated murder, aggravated robbery and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Hudson is in the Trumbull Correctional Institution.

Hudson was originally indicted in August 2013 in the Dec. 14, 2010, killing of Christopher Weston, 44, who was working in a store on Overland Avenue during a robbery.

The case, however, was dismissed Thursday and then re-indicted later in the day because Hudson was a juvenile when the crime was committed.

Under state law, Hudson had to be indicted in juvenile court first unless he was indicted for Weston’s death when he was 21. He was 20 when he originally was indicted.

Prosecutors then re-indicted the case because Hudson is now 22, and instead of having to go through juvenile court, the case can go directly to common pleas court because Hudson is an adult.

Hudson is serving prison time on unrelated gang charges and was found not guilty of an unrelated murder earlier this year.

Others indicted and the charges against them are:

Jarel Gadson, 20, Alameda Avenue, possession of marijuana.

Lawrence Johnson, 51, Wirt Street, possession of heroin

Lavontae Knight, 19, West Florida Avenue, failure to comply with the order or signal of a police officer, possession of heroin, possession of cocaine with forfeiture specifications, possession of drugs, two counts of obstructing business, resisting arrest and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.

Marcus Wilkins, 27, Samuel Avenue, trafficking in cocaine with a forfeiture specification.

Dakota Gardner, 20, Warren, Pa., possession of cocaine with forfeiture specifications and illegal use or possession of drug paraphernalia.

Ashley M. Parrish, 26, Summit Avenue, Niles, possession of cocaine, possession of heroin, possessing drug-abuse instrument and illegal use or possession of drug paraphernalia.

Justin Clark, 26, Hilton Avenue, domestic violence and theft.

Michael J. Vranches, 59, Sequoya Drive, Poland, deception to obtain a dangerous drug.

Duben Nwadiogbu, 23, Michigan Avenue, assault.

David L. Algaier, 31, Goshen Road, Salem, possession of heroin, possessing drug-abuse instrument and illegal use or possession of drug paraphernalia.

Tora M. Barnette, 27, West Dennick Avenue, obstructing official business and operating a vehicle while intoxicated.

Michael Ghiates, 30, Wick Avenue, Hermitage, Pa., possession of heroin, possessing of drug-abuse instrument, illegal use or possession of drug paraphernalia and having physical control of vehicle while under the influence.

Raymond Spires, 59, Halleck Avenue, being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Timothy Brown, 44, Mabel Avenue, possession of cocaine and illegal use or possession of drug paraphernalia.

Dyllan Kushner, 18, Sanderson Street, Campbell, theft and criminal damaging.

Ceaissa Mahone, 19, North Portland Avenue, aggravated assault and endangering children,

David W. Stinson, 31, Parkgate Avenue, Austintown, burglary, possessing a drug-abuse instrument and carrying concealed weapons.

William P. Gutwald, 34, Mahoning Avenue, Austintown, breaking and entering and possessing criminal tools.

Heather R. Mitchell, 40, Cleveland, theft.

Dena Milanowski, 34, Grand Valley Drive, Boardman, theft and forgery.

Christopher E. Martin, 23, Pointview Avenue, tampering with evidence.