2 accused of being in 'riot' protest bond arrangements, return to jail in front of judge

Top row, from left, Markella Lawrence, Angel Bowman, Anthony Mitchell, bottom row, from left, Antoine Pernell, Myesha Newton, and Sonia Nieto have all face multiple charges.

Two people accused of being involved in a small-scale “riot” Wednesday in the Lucas County Courthouse made clear their unhappiness with being sent back to the Lucas County jail after their arraignments Thursday in Toledo Municipal Court.

Myesha Newton, 19, of 6365 Glenridge Dr. was one of six people arrested in the courthouse melee after Anthony Mitchell, 16, was sentenced Wednesday to 21 years in prison for a rape conviction.

After Judge Robert Christiansen ordered her bond set at $40,000 with no 10 percent cash option, Ms. Newton, who is charged with aggravated riot, resisting arrest, and menacing, questioned him.

“No 10?” she asked.

“No 10,” Judge Christiansen, who presided over all six arraignments, replied in a sing-song voice. He gave none of the defendants a cash bail option.

After the arraignment, she stomped into the hallway, escorted by a Lucas County Sheriff’s deputy, shouting profanities.

“No 10,” she yelled. “Oh, God.”

Ms. Newton and the five other defendants have been described as the Mitchell youth’s relatives.

Also outspoken about her bond was Markella Lawrence, 30, of 420 Elizabeth St., who stomped and shouted profanities as she was escorted into a hallway after her arraignment on aggravated riot, aggravated menacing, petty theft, and resisting arrest charges.

During the proceedings, Judge Christiansen asked Lawrence when she was released from prison.

“A long time ago, like, 2007,” she said.

“For you, that’s a long time ago?” the judge asked.

Others charged in the disturbance include Anthony Mitchell, 39, of 828 Magnolia St., who is accused of aggravated riot, retaliation against a public servant, resisting arrest, and aggravated menacing. His bond was set at $280,000 for the charges, plus three unrelated counts: a burglary and two assaults.

Judge Christansen noted the elder Mitchell has felony convictions and is a registered sex offender.

Mitchell told the judge he had been out of prison since 2010. He also smiled frequently and whispered and mouthed words to several women sitting in the courtroom’s gallery.

The elder Mitchell’s next court appearance was set for Dec. 6, as was that for Angel Bowman, 25, of 828 Magnolia No. 2, who is charged with aggravated riot, petty theft, resisting arrest, and menacing, and whose bond was set at $40,000.

Also due back in court Dec. 6 is Sonia Nieto, 24, of 2114 Elm St., charged with aggravated riot, assault on a police officer, and resisting arrest. Her bond was set at $55,000.

Lawrence and Ms. Newton, meanwhile, are scheduled to return to court today, as is Antoine Pernell, 35, of 812 Walbridge Ave., who is charged with aggravated riot and was held in lieu of $25,000 bond. He told the judge he has been out of prison since 2008.

During the Wednesday disturbance, which started in Common Pleas Judge Linda Jennings’ courtroom, the defendants reportedly became unruly.

In charging documents, police allege at least two people — the elder Mitchell and Lawrence — threatened to rape and kill the 23-year-old rape victim from that case. The elder Mitchell is also accused of threatening to blow up the courthouse.

Ms. Newton allegedly threatened to beat up Toledo police Detective Shelli Kilburn, who was in the courthouse at the time.

Ms. Nieto allegedly kicked and punched the detective and jumped on her back.

Ms. Bowman is accused of stealing Detective Kilburn’s keys during the melee and then refused to return them. The keys were found in a bush outside the courthouse.

Contact Taylor Dungjen at: tdungjen@theblade.com or 419-724-6054.