Attorneys withdraw in East Side murder, drug case

YOUNGSTOWN — One of four remaining defendants in a drug and murder case on the East Side will get new attorneys.

Judge John M. Durkin of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court granted a motion today by attorneys for Melvin Johnson Jr., 31, to withdraw from the case. The court will appoint new attorneys for him.

Johnson faces four counts of attempted murder, four counts of felonious assault and single counts of aggravated arson, arson, being a felon in possession of a firearm and engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity.

He was not indicted until May 2015 for his role in the drug dealing and four homicides in 2011 and 2012 on the East Side.

Attorneys Corey Grimm and Frank Cassese, who were representing Johnson, asked the judge for permission to withdraw from the case, saying there are “irreconcilable differences” between them and Johnson.

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