Background: The Youngstown Municipal Courthouse in Youngstown, Ohio (Google Maps). Inset: James Blackwell (Mahoning County Sheriff's Office).
A man in Ohio is accused of threatening to kill a woman and her child, and then pleading to be given a relatively low bond once he was arrested because he is an expectant father.
James Blackwell, 25, faces charges including two counts of kidnapping and two counts of aggravated menacing, Youngstown Municipal Court records show. The charges were filed against him on Wednesday.
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On Monday, just before 5 p.m., a woman was driving in the area of Pasadena Avenue and South Avenue in Youngstown, Ohio, when she reportedly spotted Blackwell, and he saw her too. "Where is my money?" he yelled, according to local CBS affiliate WKBN, and she drove away.
But Blackwell was apparently not deterred and allegedly followed the woman — who was in the car with her child — for several blocks until she stopped. Blackwell then got out of his vehicle, approached the woman and threatened to kill both the mother and child, the local outlet reported.
When the woman complained about his threats, Blackwell allegedly dragged her out of her car and choked her until she passed out. He then stabbed two of her tires, flattening them, and forced her and her child into his vehicle, authorities said. The woman managed to escape and call 911, and Blackwell was later arrested while driving his car.
Court records also show Blackwell currently faces gun and drug charges from this past July. He was released on a $15,000 bond in that case. As Blackwell appeared in court for this week's charges, he asked for a low bond, explaining to the judge that he is about to become a father, per WKBN.
The defendant was given a $120,000 bond. His next court date is on Dec. 1.
