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Youngstown mom of 4 gets probation in death of abusive boyfriend
By Joe Gorman
YOUNGSTOWN
In a quiet voice Tuesday, Autumn Hines told a judge in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court all she wanted was for her boyfriend to stop hitting her when she picked up the knife and swung it as he was on the porch of their Maplewood Court home last year.
The boyfriend, Rashad Bailey, 23, was stabbed in the chest and died later. Hines was charged with murder and later pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter for the death of Bailey, who reports said beat Hines several times resulting in police calls but no charges because Hines never pressed them.
Hines received probation Tuesday from Judge Lou D’Apolito, upholding recommendations from both prosecutors and a presentence investigation that detailed Bailey’s abuse toward the 20-year-old mother of four.
Her lawyer, Lynn Maro, told the judge Hines had been put into foster care at age 2 by Cuyahoga County because both of her parents were in prison, and she was abused repeatedly in the home she was in.
Maro also had a psychologist, Dr. Richard Bromberg, testify for 45 minutes about Battered Women’s Syndrome and how Hines’ actions were driven not only by the abuse she suffered at the hands of Bailey, but the hands of the other people in her life who abused her before Bailey did.
One of the saddest things about the case, Maro said, is that Hines was abused by Bailey several times in front of other people. who never lifted a finger to help her.
“No one ever intervened when Rashad was beating her, so there was really a sense of helplessness,” Maro said.
One thing Judge D’Apolito said he was concerned about was the probability of Hines committing another crime. Dr. Bromberg said his testing showed that Hines is at low risk for criminal behavior, but he did say she needs extensive counseling, some medication and also treatment for substance abuse.
Judge D’Apolito also said he has wondered why Hines had a knife when Bailey was walking away, although Maro said that Bailey was stabbed in the chest at an angle that showed he had turned around and was coming back into the home.
“I did not want to kill him,” Hines said in a soft voice. “I just wanted to do it so he wouldn’t do it again.”
“Do what?” the judge asked.
“Hit me again,” Hines answered.
The argument broke out after Hines had given Bailey her food card early May 18 to get formula for her children. Instead, Bailey stayed out all day and night and returned with another person, but no formula or food.
Hines apologized and said she thinks of the stabbing every day.
“It was a terrible mistake,” Hines said. “I think about it every day of my life.”
Judge D’Apolito also ordered that Hines be drug tested and also undergo a mental health evaluation to determine what would be the best type of treatment for her. He said if she fails the terms of her probation, she could go to prison. He said he is most concerned with her four children and wants to make sure they do not repeat the cycle that befell Hines.
“That is your job,” Judge D’Apolito said.