STEUBENVILLE — Jefferson County Common Pleas Judge Joseph Bruzzese is out of surgery and “doing fine” at UPMC in Pittsburgh, according to City Manager Jim Mavromatis.

Bruzzese was shot in an ambush-style attack outside the Jefferson County Courthouse on his way into his office Monday morning.

County officials said the courthouse, which was closed today as the investigation progresses, will remain closed Tuesday.

Mavromatis said the family of the shooter, who was shot and killed by a probation officer who happened upon the exchange of gunfire between the shooter and the judge, has been notified.

The name of the shooter is expected to be released to reporters later today.


An at-times emotional Sheriff Fred Abdalla spoke with reporters at about 11:15 a.m. and said authorities are still trying to establish a motive.

The shooter exchanged gunfire with Bruzzese near the Court Street entrance to the courthouse, Abdalla said, and was shot and killed by a common pleas court probation officer who was walking in Dollar Alley between buildings from Fourth Street to Court Street when the shooter turned on him.

Mavromatis said the suspect apparently backed into another car in an attempt to escape.

Bruzzese was walking from Fourth Street through the narrow alley toward the courthouse when he was “ambushed,” Mavromatis said.

“Whoever thought this could happen here,” Abdalla said. He noted local authorities are familiar with the suspect.


He said the shooter and Bruzzese appeared to have exchanged about five shots each, according to courthouse video.

He said officers are checking court records to see what involvement the suspect had with Bruzzese.

The FBI has joined the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Steubenville police and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department in the investigation.

Abdalla said he is aware of threats being made in retaliation for killing of the shooting suspect.

“Police in the region have been notified,” he said. “I hope nothing like that happens. If it does, we are prepared to handle it.”


Mavromatis cautioned people not to accept inaccurate information being shared on Facebook.

The crime scene remained surrounded by police tape hours after the shooting.

Mavromatis said, “This isn’t TV. We don’t do it in 30 minutes. There is evidence all over the place.”

A man who was in the car with the shooter was grazed by a bullet and was taken to Trinity Medical Center West. He told law enforcement interviewers he had been unaware of what was happening. Abdalla said that man and the shooting suspect had been drinking last night when the suspect said he had to be in court early today.

Courthouse video shows the vehicle involved in the shooting parked in the Huntington Bank parking lot across Court Street from the courthouse at 7:12 a.m. The video shows the vehicle leave and then return. Authorities are working to enhance the courthouse video as part of the investigation.

Abdalla became emotional and said, “The judge was shot in front of the courthouse and it effects me. It is an attempted murder on a judge.”

Later today, he said, “Every judge should be armed today in America. Prosecutors need to be armed. It was a cold-blooded attempted murder on a judge.”

Abdalla noted Bruzzese is an avid sportsman and hunter, which helped fight off the attack.

“If any judge could do it, it is him,” he commented. “There are so many nuts running around seeking retaliation.”

Abdalla said, the quick action of the probation officer made the difference.

“If the probation officer was not there, the shooter would have kept shooting until the judge was dead,” Abdalla said.

County Commissioner Thomas Graham said the county would have counselors available from Coleman Professional Services for employees who need counseling when the courthouse reopens Wednesday.

Graham said the commissioners will be talking about security issues during the board’s meeting on Thursday.

“We’ll talk with the sheriff and get his input on what we need,” Graham said.

The courthouse has cameras inside and outside the building, a metal detector at the only open public entrance and three deputies on the inside.

Graham noted county officials are vulnerable on the outside of the building.

“Nothing can guarantee you against a random act of violence. My concern now is for the safety of workers and my thoughts and prayers go out to the judge and his family,” Graham said.

The local legal community has been shaken by the shooting.

Attorney Eric Reszke commented, “It was an assassination attempt like something you’d see in South America. They crossed the line on this. Attorneys, judges and police officers never were targets in this manner. That has changed today.

“Nobody should have to wake up and see this. The courthouse is one place where arguments are supposed to be settled, with violence never being involved,” he continued. “That has changed forever.”

Bruzzese has been an attorney since 1976, when he graduated from Ohio Northern University. He was the county court judge at Wintersville for many years before being elected to replace longtime common pleas judge Domenick Olivito in 1995. Bruzzese won re-election to his latest term in 2014.

Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine said the Steubenville Police Department requested the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation to investigate the shooting. BCI has assigned its special investigations, crime scene and cyber units to the investigation, DeWine said.

“Fran and I are praying for Judge Bruzzese and his family at this difficult time,” DeWine said in a statement.

U.S. Rep. Bill Johnson, R-Marietta, said, “I was very saddened and alarmed to hear that Judge Bruzzese was ambushed and shot outside the Jefferson County Courthouse earlier this morning. I’ve worked with him on issues surrounding the Jefferson Metropolitan Housing Authority, and I know he is committed to the people he serves.

“From the shootings at the congressional baseball practice, to today’s tragic shooting, public officials are increasingly under assault. Public service shouldn’t be a dangerous occupation, but it all too often is. I’ll be praying for Judge Bruzzese’s recovery.”

Ohio State Bar Association President Randall Comer said, “We were shocked and saddened by the news that Judge Joseph Bruzzese Jr. was shot and injured outside of the Jefferson County Courthouse. As we await news of Judge Bruzzese’s condition, our thoughts and prayers are with his family and the medical professionals attending to his injuries.”

Ohio Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor said, “The attempt on Judge Bruzzese’s life in a cowardly ambush reminds us all of the very real potential for violence against judges. Violence against judges represents an attack on the Rule of Law, the foundation of our country. I urge all court employees, especially judges, to take extra precautions both in your personal and professional activities. The entire judiciary stands with judge Bruzzese and his family as they remain in our prayers.”

Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, said, “Connie and I are thinking of Judge Bruzzese and his family and we pray for his recovery. I join all Ohioans in expressing my gratitude for local law enforcement who responded. My office will support local authorities and the state as they investigate this senseless act.”

Lieutenant Gov. Mary Taylor said in tweet, “My prayers are with Jefferson County Judge Joseph Bruzese and his family. Thankful for the quick actions by Steubenville law enforcement.”

Link

Five bucks says two things-

1- The suspect was a subject in some way, sort or fashion in the Judge's Court.
2- The person in the car with the shooter knew damn well what was going on.

I don't know what "common pleas" court is in Ohio. But, to me as long as I have been doing this, I would not be a bit surprised if it isn't some sort of family court. That is what it smells like. Even hardened convicted, or soon to be convicted criminals, won't try to take out a Judge except in rare occasions. But, someone in family court is much more likely. Unless this was a hit from someone else which is even more rare.

Just a SWAG.

"The courts of common pleas are the trial courts of general jurisdiction in the state." Link

It's the general trial court, like a District Court in Texas or Superior Court in Whackyland.

It doesn't say the size of the court, whether there are one or two judges or a couple of hundred.

Father of someone convicted previously in the judges court. Looks like revenge for a previous case.

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2017...-suspect-killed.html


Jefferson County Judge Joseph Bruzzese Jr., 65, was shot while walking toward a courthouse in Ohio Monday morning. (WTOV via AP)
The man who shot and wounded an Ohio county judge outside a courthouse Monday morning before being shot dead by police was the father of a Steubenville High School football player who was convicted of rape in 2013, authorities said Monday.

Jefferson County Judge Joseph Bruzzese Jr., 65, was "ambushed" while walking toward the county courthouse in Steubenville Monday morning, court officials said.

FILE - In this March 17, 2013, file photo, Ma'Lik Richmond walks toward the victim and her family to apologize after he and co-defendant Trent Mays were found delinquent on rape and other charges after their trial in juvenile court in Steubenville, Ohio. Richmond will be part of the Youngstown State football team this year but wonâ™t be allowed to play in any games, the school said Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2017, in responding to criticism surrounding his participation. Richmond served about 10 months in a juvenile lockup after being convicted with another Steubenville High School football player of raping a 16-year-old girl during an alcohol-fueled party in 2012. The case brought international attention to the eastern Ohio city of 18,000 and led to allegations of a cover-up to protect the football team. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic, Pool, File)Expand / Collapse
Ma'Lik Richmond, a Steubenville High School football player convicted of raping a teenage girl in 2012. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
The gunman was identified as Nathaniel "Nate" Richmond, the father of Ma'Lik Richmond, a Steubenville High School football player who served nearly 10 months of a year-long sentence in juvenile detention after being convicted, along with another high school football player, of raping a 16-year-old girl in 2012.

There's more to it.

quote:

The gunman was identified by authorities as Nathaniel “Nate” Richmond. His son Ma’lik, who was 16 at the time, served about 10 months in a juvenile facility after being convicted with another Steubenville High School football player of raping a 16-year-old girl during an all-night party in 2012.

The case attracted international attention because the charges were brought after students talked about the incident in a YouTube video and texted naked photos of the girl, from a nearby West Virginia town, to each other. Investigators were seeking a motive and had not found a connection to the rape case, Jefferson County Prosecutor Jane Hanlin said.

Attorney General Mike DeWine said the state crime lab will also help investigate the shooting.

One of Bruzzese’s colleagues believes the attack must have been intentional. Judge Joseph Corabi said he and the county’s two other judges park in reserved spots next to the courthouse and walk a few feet to a side entrance to the building.

Link

Daddy on the left

Judge ruined daddy's shot at being the LeVar Ball of the gridiron?

"Richmond had fired at least five times at Bruzzese but the judge, who was armed, fired back. At least one of his bullets hit Richmond, according to officials."

If Bruzzese hadn't been armed he might well have been killed.

Apparently there was a probation officer in the alley who shot and killed Richmond. From what I can tell, both the judge and the probation officer were shooting. However the news account is not fully clear.

quote:

Originally posted by c1steve:
Apparently there was a probation officer in the alley who shot and killed Richmond. From what I can tell, both the judge and the probation officer were shooting. However the news account is not fully clear.

That's how I read it. The judge returned fire and had help from the probation officer.

Updates:

quote:

Records show an Ohio judge shot and wounded outside his courthouse was overseeing a wrongful-death lawsuit filed by the man suspected of shooting him.

Authorities say suspect Nathaniel Richmond was fatally shot by the judge's bailiff during the Monday altercation. The judge also fired shots.

Jefferson County Judge Joseph Bruzzese (bruh-ZEEZ') Jr. underwent emergency surgery after the shooting and is expected to survive.

Richmond was the father of a Steubenville High School football player convicted of rape in 2013. Court records show Richmond filed the lawsuit against the Jefferson County Metropolitan Housing Authority in April. Bruzzese was overseeing the case. A hearing on a motion by the housing authority to dismiss punitive damages claims was set for Aug. 28.

---

4:45 p.m.

A prosecutor says the man who shot and wounded an Ohio judge was the father of a Steubenville High School football player convicted of rape in 2013.

Jefferson County Prosecutor Jane Hanlin on Monday identified the shooter as Nathaniel Richmond, the father of Ma'Lik Richmond.

Ma'Lik Richmond served about 10 months in a juvenile lockup after being convicted with another Steubenville High School football player of raping a 16-year-old girl during an alcohol-fueled party in 2012.

Hanlin says authorities aren't aware of a connection between the rape case and the shooting.

Jefferson County Judge Joseph Bruzzese (bruh-ZEEZ') Jr. underwent emergency surgery after the morning shooting but is expected to survive.

A visiting judge from Hamilton County and not Bruzzese handled the vast majority of the Steubenville rape case.

---

Link

The Hammer and Raylan ride again.

quote:

Records show an Ohio judge shot and wounded outside his courthouse was overseeing a wrongful-death lawsuit filed by the man suspected of shooting him.

Can you put that in simple words for us non lawyers? What was likely going on? I guess it is like the recent Michelle Carter case or Venus Williams?

quote:

Originally posted by ZSMICHAEL:

quote:

Records show an Ohio judge shot and wounded outside his courthouse was overseeing a wrongful-death lawsuit filed by the man suspected of shooting him.

Can you put that in simple words for us non lawyers? What was likely going on? I guess it is like the recent Michelle Carter case or Venus Williams?

Was the guy playing the ghetto lottery? Hoping for a big win?

quote:

Originally posted by ZSMICHAEL:

quote:

Records show an Ohio judge shot and wounded outside his courthouse was overseeing a wrongful-death lawsuit filed by the man suspected of shooting him.

Can you put that in simple words for us non lawyers? What was likely going on? I guess it is like the recent Michelle Carter case or Venus Williams?

The judge is hearing a case for wrongful death filed by his assailent. No telling from the news whose death it was. There is no info what the status of the case was, whether just getting started, in discovery, pre-trial, or during trial, although if it were a current trial that likely would have been known and mentioned. It's a news story.... what can you do?

Complain about the lousy reporting.

Reminds me of an old skit on SNL where the sports reporter read the scores without announcing the names of the teams.

I at times read stories two and three times to figure out what is happening, and half the time I remain confused. My mother was a News Editor many years ago, so I guess this is even worse for me.

quote:

Originally posted by Fenris:
Complain about the lousy reporting.

"
Abdalla became emotional and said, “The judge was shot in front of the courthouse and it effects me. It is an attempted murder on a judge.”


The grammar too, yes those were effects moving along about 1,000 fps.

Well, we know the story was written by the press, so its both incomplete and inaccurate. Some of the questions asked or answered above. The article said there are 3 judges in that county. Looks like back during the rape trial they asked for and received a visiting judge from across the state. The now deadified shooter was involved in some sort of wrongful death action. We assume against the local housing authority. The wounded judge was scheduled to have a hearing about it next week.

That part of Ohio is hill country. Nearer to Pittsburgh than to civilization. Terrible poverty in Appalachia. But even in poverty, it looks like they handled things just fine. The dead guys kid apparently was a upcoming football star until he scored an unwilling TD. Football is one of the few ways out of poverty out there. But given the current lawsuit, the shooter might have just been drunk or unhappy or both. Doesn't matter now, he's dead.

quote:

Originally posted by Fenris:
Complain about the lousy reporting.

Lousy, indeed.