Trial begins in Roosevelt Park robbery case

May 11, 2016 at 12:00a.m.

YOUNGSTOWN

Testimony began Tuesday in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court for the last of four people accused in the beating and robbery of a man in a Campbell park last March.

Jurors were selected Monday before Judge Maureen Sweeney and viewed the crime scene Tuesday morning before opening arguments began in the case against Rashan Bell, 20, of Broadway Avenue. He faces counts of aggravated robbery and robbery for the March 25, 2015, attack on a 73-year-old man who was walking in Roosevelt Park.

Assistant Prosecutor Michael Rich told prosecutors during opening arguments that the victim was walking in the park as part of his exercise routine when he was beset upon by Bell, who smashed him in the head with a solid object and then punched and kicked him several more times after he fell to the ground.

“This 73-year-old man lay there, bloody, bruised and battered,” Rich said. “To add insult to injury, the defendant went into his pocket and stole his wallet, then he took off.”

Rich said before the victim was attacked, Bell was running to catch up with him. The victim had headphones on and did not hear Bell, Rich said.

Rich said Bell got in a car with three other people. Two other witnesses were able to trace the car to the other three, which helped police catch Bell.

Defense counsel Mark Lavelle urged jurors to study the testimony of two of the people who were charged with Bell. Lavelle said those two are exchanging probation in exchange for their testimony while a third person who refused to testify against Bell was sentenced to prison.

“We’re left with these two – and nothing but these two – to say this is the guy,” Lavelle said.

Lavelle also said that while he sympathizes with victim, the victim cannot identify Bell as the person who attacked him.