Jury selection begins in Sutherland trial

YOUNGSTOWN — Jury selection is underway today in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court for a man accused in a June shooting that left the victim paralyzed.

Robert Sutherland, 42, of Helena Avenue, faces charges of felonious assault and aggravated and aggravated assault for the shooting June 2 of Eric VanCobb, 35, who was shot outside a home in the 900 block of West Indianola Avenue after a drug deal that had gone sour, police said.

Judge Shirley J. Christian is hearing the case.

During a preliminary hearing in municipal court in June, Sutherland’s attorney raised the question of self defense because Sutherland was afraid of being robbed during the deal.

A co-defendant, Daniel Boask, 25, pleaded guilty earlier to a charge of obstructing justice in the case. He will be sentenced by Judge Christian on Oct. 28.