Youngstown courtroom melee caught on video during sentencing of convicted killer
Deputies were called to a Mahoning County courtroom on Thursday after two men lunged at the man convicted of murdering their mother.
Deputies were called to a Mahoning County courtroom on Thursday after two men lunged at the man convicted of murdering their mother.
Sixty-two-year-old Dale Williams, Sr. was in Judge Maureen Sweeney's court to be sentenced for gunning down a Boardman woman on Market Street nearly two years ago.
Williams pleaded guilty earlier to aggravated murder the shooting death of 46-year-old Elizabeth Pledger-Stewart.
Just as the victim's daughter was about to make a victim impact statement before the court, her brother lunged at Williams and was followed by another brother who was tased by deputies as he leaped over a courtroom railing.
Both men were arrested.
The sentencing has been postponed. Williams was taken to a hospital to be checked out.
Background
Witnesses told Youngstown Police they saw Williams chase Pledger-Stewart on June 15, 2017.
Williams crashed his van into the back of Pledger-Stewart's car on Market Street near Indianola Avenue. As she got out of the vehicle, she was repeatedly shot in broad daylight.
Sources told 21 News Williams emptied his gun.
Youngstown Police officers pulled up as the shooting was taking place. Wilson surrendered to police.
The night before she was murdered, Pledger-Stewart filed a report with the Boardman Police Department saying Williams was upset and vowed to catch her in the streets.
Williams could face a sentence of 23 years to life in prison.