Toledoan cleared in shooting, assault

2/22/2008

A Toledo man charged in a July 4 shooting that injured one man and a May 18 assault on a woman was exonerated of the charges yesterday after a two-day trial in Lucas County Common Pleas Court.

Perry Randles, 47, of 722 North Huron St. was found not guilty on four counts of felonious assault, two with gun specifications. A jury of nine women and three men deliberated for more than two hours before returning the verdicts.

Mr. Randles was accused of shooting Wilbur Hughes, Jr., who was 20 at the time, in the hip at 10:10 p.m. at 310 West Park St.

Mr. Randles also was accused of assaulting Martha Brown almost two months earlier with a metal pipe near Cherry Street and Central Avenue.

During the trial, defense attorney George Gerken said that the victims were initiating altercations with Mr. Randles' friends, and he was defending them. Mr. Gerken suggested it was because of past interactions that the victims pointed to Mr. Randles as their assailant.

Several people testified over the two days, including the victims, law enforcement officers, and Mr. Randles himself.

Judge Denise Ann Dartt released Mr. Randles after the verdicts were read.