Suppression hearing in Robert Seman case underway

YOUNGSTOWN — Testimony is under way in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court in a suppression hearing in the capital murder case of Robert Seman.

Attorneys for Seman, 46, are seeking to exclude statements he made to police during the investigation of the death of Corinne Gump, 10, and her grandparents after a March 30, 2015, fire at their Powers Way home the day Seman was to go on trial for on charges he rape the girl.

Gump and her grandparents, William and Judith Schmidt, died in the fire which was later ruled an arson. Jury selection in the case is set for Sept. 9. Other motions will also be heard today.