Boy, 6, testifies that his ‘Papa’ badly injured his arm

Staff report

WARREN

In a scene rarely witnessed in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court, a boy, 6, took the witness stand Tuesday in the trial of his grandfather, Michael R. Tenney, accused of breaking the boy’s arm a year ago while babysitting.

Gabe Wildman, assistant county prosecutor, said the case against Tenney, 63, of Woodrow Avenue in Champion, “is about accountability” for his actions Jan. 15, 2017, when he “snapped his grandson’s elbow like a twig” after drinking eight to nine beers and getting angry at him.

Tenney is charged with felonious assault and child endangering in the case.

The boy was the first witness, and he testified that “Papa” used two hands and “yanked” on his arm.

Wildman later asked the boy if he misses not seeing his grandfather anymore.

“Not much,” he said.

“Why?” Wildman asked.

“Because he broke my arm,” the boy said.

Sarah Kovoor, one of Tenney’s defense attorneys, said during opening arguments that the boy’s mother is “biased,” “controlling” and “irrational” and guided her son in his statements to police. The trial resumes today in the courtroom of Judge Ronald Rice. Tenney has remained in the Trumbull County jail since March.