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Judge sees extremes in suspension cases
By Joe Gorman
YOUNGSTOWN
Judge Elizabeth Kobly wants to make sure Dior Robinson can drive someday, so she’s forcing him to get a driver’s license.
However, she said doesn’t trust the motive behind Billy Hall’s desire to get a license, since he pleaded no contest to driving under suspension charges from 2009 and two from 2012, giving him a total of nine open suspensions and at least $5,000 in reinstatement fees.
Both men were before Judge Kobly on Monday in municipal court.
The judge continued sentencing for Robinson, 20, on charges of having no operator’s license and leaving the scene of an accident until October, so he can complete his test for his license. He already has a permit.
“If we don’t stop the bleeding now and make you get a driver’s license, you’re never going to get one,” Judge Kobly told him.
The 44-year-old Hall, on the other hand, has not had a driver’s license since 1999, and Judge Kobly said she was suspicious because at least one of those charges he was in court for Monday is more than 6 years old, yet he has not made an effort to get a license until now.
Hall’s lawyer, Albert Palombero, at first tried to get the hearing continued because his client needs to file for bankruptcy. Judge Kobly said she would not continue the matter, and she chastised Hall for repeatedly driving without a license. He faces a maximum sentence of 18 months in jail.
“I’m sorry for what I did,” Hall said. “I really, truly mean that.” The judge said she agreed he was sorry.
“I’m sure you do [feel bad] because you finally have a judge who will give you a year and a half in jail,” Judge Kobly said.
She sentenced Hall to seven months in jail but is giving him a week to report to get his affairs in order. He received a citation March 17, 2009, on Cooper Street and additional citations May 30, 2012 at Steel Street and Oneta Avenue and July 6, 2012, at Belle Vista and Oakwood avenues. In both cases he also was charged with violating the city’s loud music ordinance and also making false statements to law enforcement. He was warned if he is caught driving again before he has a license or if he fails to report to jail, he will serve the entire 18 months in jail.
Robinson’s charges stem from a hit-and-run accident Feb. 11 on West Midlothian Boulevard. He was charged in March.
Judge Kobly asked Robinson why he never got his license, and he said he never got around to it. The judge said when she was young, getting a driver’s license was a milestone and something to look forward, and she wondered why that has changed.
“When I was your age I couldn’t wait to get a driver’s license,” Judge Kobly said.
Robinson is free on bail pending his sentencing.