After almost a year awaiting trial, woman asks for interpreter

By Joe Gorman | May 25, 2016 at 12:00a.m.

YOUNGSTOWN

Evgenia Hull has been in the Mahoning County jail, as is her husband, Thomas Hull, awaiting trial on charges of attempted aggravated murder for a shooting in May 2015 on the North Side.

Despite numerous pretrial hearings, at least nine of them heard, according to court readings, and giving a statement to police in English, the native of Russia asked for an interpreter Monday just as a suppression hearing in her case was about to start in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court.

Her attorney, Tom Zena, supported her request, saying he was fearful if it was not granted, she could have grounds for appeal at a later date if she is convicted or accepts a plea bargain.

Judge Maureen Sweeney granted her request.

Court Administrator Robert Regula said the court was able to find a Russian interpreter in Cleveland on a roster of interpreters the state Supreme Court has on file.

Regula said the new date for the hearing is June 6.

The Hulls are accused of taking part in the May 13, 2015, shooting of Larry Robinson, 50, at Madison Avenue and Elm Street.

Reports said Robinson was shot as he was driving an SUV. Reports said a woman jumped out of a van that was chasing Robinson, fired several shots into the SUV, then jumped into the van, and the van drove away.

Police said the woman was the shooter, and a man drove the van.

The Hulls were arrested two days later by U.S. marshals in Pittsburgh and were held there for almost a month before they were extradited to Ohio. Police said the shooting was the result of a lover’s triangle between the Hulls and Robinson.

When Evgenia Hull asked if she could have an interpreter in time for the hearing, the answer was a terse “No,” from Judge Sweeney.

When the hearing was concluded, Thomas Hull, who was arguing with his wife’s attorney beforehand, shouted, “I love you,” twice to his wife as she was led away by sheriff’s deputies.

Thomas Hull also faces an attempted aggravated murder charge, and his hearing also is set for June 6.