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Shooting suspect breaks down in courtroom drama
The Ohio teenager charged in the shooting death of his uncle, after a squabble within the vehicle in which they were traveling, unleashed a verbal outburst throughout the courtroom and the Putnam County Courthouse Wednesday afternoon.
Markus S. Yeanay, 18, Columbus, Ohio, was in the midst of making his initial court appearance in front of Superior Court Judge Denny Bridges when he appeared to realize the dire implications of the charges against him and the situation before him in the aftermath of the shooting death of Mario Edwards, 33, also of Columbus.
Edwards was allegedly shot twice in the torso by the teenage suspect as they traveled westbound on Interstate 70 near Cloverdale Sunday night. The victim was dropped off at Putnam County Hospital, along with his mother, fellow passenger Brenda Knight, who had rented the 2016 Kia Sedona van they were using.
Edwards and Yeanay were riding together in the backseat of the vehicle and reportedly had been verbally and physically fighting since they left Ohio Sunday evening, bound for Missouri.
The fatal shooting occurred about 10 p.m. on a stretch of interstate in Putnam County. Edwards died at the hospital a short time later.
What seemed to trigger Wednesday's outburst was Prosecutor Tim Bookwalter's request for $100,000 cash-only bond for Yeanay.
The suspect was formally charged in court Wednesday with voluntary manslaughter, a Level 1 felony punishable by 10-30 years in prison; possession of cocaine, a Level 6 felony punishable by 6-30 months in prison; and carrying a handgun without a license, a Class A misdemeanor that carries a sentencing range of 0-365 days in jail.
When Judge Bridges approved the $100,000 bond request, Yeanay lowered his head and began wailing and sobbing before launching into a howling monologue that began with him shouting, "I was fighting for my life, I swear to God."
Despite Deputy Steve Fenwick, Sheriff Scott Stockton and Chief Deputy Phil Parker surrounding the still-seated Yeanay and placing their hands on his shoulders in an effort to quiet him, the defendant continued his harangue.
"Oh my god," he shrieked, "where am I going to get $100,000? I'm still in high school.
"It was not murder, I was fighting for my life," Yeanay reiterated as courthouse Deputy Brian Walden, Deputy Fenwick and Sheriff Stockton brought him to his feet and escorted him from the courtroom.
Longtime courthouse observers were stunned by the sudden verbal outburst.
"Usually when officers put their hands on them," attorney Trudy Selvia offered after calm had been restored, "that's generally their clue to be quiet."
Meanwhile, Debbie Hassler, a 28-year veteran of the court staff, called it the worst courtroom outburst she has ever seen.
"Don't do this, please," Yeanay continued to wail as he was taken out of the courtroom. "Please, you all, please, please, please, please, please."
Much the same could be heard in the hallways as the suspect was led out to be taken back to Putnam County Jail.
"Essentially it was the same stuff, over and over," a member of the Prosecutor's Office staff said later.
Judge Bridges entered not-guilty pleas on Yeanay's behalf before appointing attorney Scott Bieniek as his legal counsel and setting a pretrial conference for June 29.
Also making his initial appearance in court Wednesday in much calmer fashion was the driver of the van and brother of the victim, Stefon R. Woods, 21, Columbus, Ohio.
He was formally charged with assisting a criminal, a Level 5 felony with a sentencing range of 1-6 years in prison, and possession of cocaine, a Level 6 felony punishable by 6-30 months in prison.
Judge Bridges also entered not-guilty pleas on behalf of Woods, who had Austin Malayer appointed as his legal counsel.
Under questioning by Prosecutor Bookwalter, Woods admitted to two criminal convictions in Ohio -- a 2011 burglary charge and one count of carrying a concealed handgun -- for which he served 18 months in prison.
Judge Bridges followed the prosecutor's bond recommendation on Woods as well, setting it at $20,000 cash only.
The suspect asked about the possibility of posting 10 percent to be released.
"We don't do 10 percent for out-of-state (defendants)," Bridges replied, alluding to the notion such suspects would not return after posting a smaller bond.
A June 29 pretrial conference was also set in Woods' case.
Yeanay and Woods were arrested about 2 a.m. Monday after a Putnam County deputy spotted their vehicle near the Greencastle Walmart store on State Road 240 on the city's East Side.
Reports indicate Edwards suffered two gunshot wounds and another bullet shattered a side window of the van.
The probable cause affidavit notes that Yeanay said he threw the gun out of the broken window after firing between one shot (his story) and three or four (according to Knight's deposition).