Background: The Youngstown Municipal Courthouse in Youngstown, Ohio (Google Maps). Inset: James Blackwell (Mahoning County Sheriff”s Office).
An Ohio man has been charged with threatening to kill a woman and her child, then pleading for a low bond during his court appearance, citing his impending fatherhood as a reason.
James Blackwell, 25, is facing serious charges including two counts of kidnapping and two counts of aggravated menacing, according to the records from Youngstown Municipal Court. These charges were officially brought against him on Wednesday.
The incident unfolded on Monday around 5 p.m. when a woman driving near Pasadena Avenue and South Avenue in Youngstown, Ohio, reportedly encountered Blackwell. Upon seeing her, Blackwell allegedly shouted, “Where is my money?” as reported by the local CBS affiliate WKBN, prompting the woman to drive away.
Undeterred, Blackwell allegedly pursued the woman, who was accompanied by her child, for several blocks until she stopped the car. At that point, Blackwell reportedly exited his vehicle, confronted the woman, and threatened to kill both her and her child, according to the local news outlet.
When the woman objected to his threats, Blackwell is accused of forcibly removing her from her car and choking her until she lost consciousness. He then allegedly slashed two of her car’s tires, rendering them flat, and compelled both the woman and her child to get into his vehicle, authorities stated. The woman managed to escape and contact emergency services, leading to Blackwell’s arrest while driving his car.
Court documents reveal that Blackwell is already facing gun and drug charges from an incident in July, for which he was released on a $15,000 bond. During his court appearance for the latest charges, Blackwell requested a low bond, arguing to the judge that he is about to become a father, as reported by WKBN.
The defendant was given a $120,000 bond. His next court date is on Dec. 1.
