Courtroom outburst during sentencing of two Youngstown women
1/2
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - Friday was sentencing day for two women who've been protesting their convictions. Friday morning, those protests continued in earnest in a Youngstown courtroom.
The routine sentencing was expected to last about ten minutes. Two hours later, Dorthea Weston was order by the judge to not cause any more disruptions, while Desiree Johnson made a scene and was escorted out of the courtroom by police.
"I don't understand why I'm going to jail. When me and my family is victims of these two officers," yelled Johnson at Judge Robert Milich. "You should be ashamed of yourself your honor, you should be ashamed of yourself."
The two women were being sentenced for several convictions, including the assault of two Youngstown police officers.
Both women have actively protested their convictions, claiming Lt. Kevin Mercer and Officer Patrick Mulligan used excessive force on them during a traffic stop. A Youngstown Police Department internal investigation found the women's claims to be unfounded.
Representing herself, Weston continuously told the judge "I don't understand. "I don't understand any of it," Weston said.
"You don't' know what a fine is?" asked the judge.
"I don't understand it. I know what it is. I don't understand it," repeated Weston.
Assistant Prosecutor Bassil Ally explained to the judge, "Her saying she doesn't understand, is just her not accepting it."
Johnson was next to go before the judge. He lost his temper when she also stated she did not understand.
"If you don't listen to me you're going to jail right now," Milich said. "You understand that part?"
Both officers went before the judge, asking him to give the women the highest possible sentence.
"They've gone to the media, they've tried to slander our names," said Mercer. "They have purposely tried to manipulate and lie to the system."
Johnson was sentenced to one year in jail, three years probation and will pay a fine. Weston will be sentenced at the end of August. She faces up to a year in prison.