Health of biker charged in Warren murders failing

By Ed Runyan

runyan@vindy.com

WARREN

Two of the three men who survived a deadly June 18 gunfight among rival motorcycle clubs at Shorty’s Place bar in Warren Township appear to be recovering from their injuries.

The man charged with two counts of murder, however, is not doing as well, police said.

David H. Bailes Jr., 45, of Leavittsburg, may never see the inside of a courtroom to answer to the murder charges based on information on Bailes’ health being provided by his family, Warren police said.

Bailes is president of the Forever Two Wheels motorcycle club of Warren. Police charged him in the deaths of Robert A. Marto, 54, of Cortland, and Jason C. Moore, 41, of Bristolville.

Marto and Moore, both members of the Brothers Regime, were killed. Andrew G. Claypool, 50, of Girard, and Walter M. Hughes, 41, of Warren were injured during the fight. Bailes was injured and was taken to a Cleveland hospital. Marto was president of the Brothers Regime.

Capt. Rob Massucci of the Warren Police Department said it appears about 10 members of each club were at the bar that afternoon when Bailes and members of the Brothers Regime were seen arguing in the front doorway. About 30 gunshots rang out soon afterward, police said.

Massucci said witnesses say the dispute appears to have been related to the desire of FTW members to receive the “official blessing” of other Warren-area clubs. Such acknowledgement helps increase the reputation of a newer club like FTW, Massucci said.

The Brothers Regime, which is more established and better known than FTW, had refused to give that “blessing,” Massucci said, which was viewed as a sign of disrespect.

Furthermore, the two clubs had been in conflict in the recent years, with FTW member Charles V. Moorhead, 37, of Warren, being sentenced to three years in prison for shooting three Brothers Regime members at the Powerhouse bar on Aug. 30, 2012.

Massucci said it’s too soon to tell whether any additional charges will be filed in the gunfight. The answer to that question may come after the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation completes analysis of weapons and other ballistics evidence that was recovered.

Massucci said the seriousness of the Shorty’s gunfight and manpower shortage in the Warren Township Police Department caused Warren police to offer the help of several of its investigators and to take the lead in the case, despite it occurring in Warren Township. Such assistance is not uncommon because Warren participates in the Trumbull County Homicide Task Force, Massucci said.