Six convicted of roles in disturbance following rape sentencing

4/15/2013

On the day they were scheduled to go to trial, six people charged with causing a disturbance following a rape sentencing in Lucas County Common Pleas Court last fall were convicted today of reduced charges in the case.

The two defendants who were most involved – Anthony Mitchell, 39, and Sonia Nieto, 25 -- entered no contest pleas to felonies. Mitchell was found guilty of retaliation, and Nieto was found guilty of obstructing justice.

Four others – Markella Lawrence, 30; Angel Bowman, 25; Myesha Newton, 20, and Antonie Pernell, 36 -- pleaded no contest and were found guilty of misconduct at an emergency, a first-degree misdemeanor.

Judge Gary Cook allowed all six defendants to remain free on bond and scheduled sentencing for May 15.

The charges stemmed from the Nov. 28 sentencing of Anthony Mitchell, Jr. 16. Family members and other supporters were angered by the 21-year prison sentence the younger Mitchell received.