4th suspect in shooting death in Toledo arrested in Arkansas

12/13/2002

The last of four Toledo men charged in the Dec. 1 shooting death of L.C. Pittman was arrested Wednesday in Arkansas, where he has relatives, authorities said yesterday.

Michael A. Peals, 22, whose last known address was on Lincoln Avenue, was arrested about 2:45 p.m. as he left his girlfriend's apartment in a low-income housing development in Marianna, Marianna police Chief James Tucker said. The suspect, his brother, Earnest Peals, and two other men were indicted by a Lucas County grand jury last week in Pittman's death.

Michael Peals initially gave authorities a false name, but later admitted his identity. He waived extradition during a hearing in Lee County Municipal Court and is being held in the Arkansas Department of Correction facility in Brickeys, the chief said.

Pittman, 38, of 508 North Hawley St., Apt. 11, was found on the sidewalk in the 900 block of Vance Street. He died of multiple gunshot wounds.

The four suspects thought Pittman was involved in a robbery that occurred about 45 minutes earlier at Earnest Peals' apartment, which is in the same building where Pittman lived. Pittman was forced into a vehicle and driven a few blocks to Vance. Another confrontation ensued on Vance, and Pittman was killed.

Earnest Peals, 25, of 508 North Hawley, and his brother were indicted on one count each of aggravated murder and kidnapping. The charges carry gun specifications. Earnest Peals was arraigned before Lucas County Common Pleas Court Judge William Skow yesterday. His bond was set at $100,000.

Two others charged in Pittman's death - Dario Williamson, 25, of 1339 Hamilton St., and Kevin T. Jordan, 23, of 817 Sheridan St. - were indicted on one count each of kidnapping. Judge Skow set bond at $20,000 each during arraignments yesterday.

The two men charged in the robbery, Will E. Ulis, 25, of 934 Vance, and Shannon L. Wilson, 21, of 616 Forest Ave., were not in custody last night.