MEDIA ADVISORY
24 SEPT. 2024
WARREN, OH—What: A press conference to address the sentencing of former police officer Michael Edwards Jr., who abused his authority as a police officer to rape, sexually assault, and harass vulnerable women in Warren, Ohio.
Edwards was convicted on Monday, September 23, of 15 of the 23 charges he was facing—two counts of rape, four counts of gross sexual imposition, two counts of extortion, three counts of sexual battery, two counts of theft in office, and two counts of dereliction of duty. His sentencing is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Thursday, September 26.
“Michael Edwards swore to the same oath as his fellow officers—to uphold the law and protect the citizens of Warren, Ohio,” said attorney Bobby DiCello, who represents one of Edwards’ survivors in civil proceedings. “Instead, Edwards hid behind his badge and used it to victimize and prey on vulnerable members of this community. We are grateful that a jury has brought him to justice for his criminal acts. We look forward to holding him accountable for the flagrant violation of our client’s civil rights and to bring a measure of healing to our client and the residents of this city.”
When: Thursday, September 26, immediately following the Edwards’ sentencing hearing at 1 p.m. ET
Where: Courthouse Square in front of the Trumbull County Courthouse, 161 High St., NW, Warren, OH 44481
Who: Bobby DiCello, attorney for one of the survivors
A livestream of the event will be provided here.
About Bobby DiCello
Bobby DiCello, a nationally renowned trial lawyer who has earned multimillion-dollar verdicts, devotes himself to gaining justice for people whose lives have been destroyed by the powerful and the reckless. He is currently representing the families of Jayland Walker and Michael Donnell Jones, who were killed by police officers from the City of Akron; the families of James Williams, Zachary Fornash, and Frank Tyson, who were killed by police officers from the City of Canton; Kieven Conver, who was mauled in a K9 attack by Canton police; Michael Skillern, who was attacked by officers while trying to help Conver in Canton; and, Jaemiir McElroy, who was kicked while on his knees and hospitalized by a police officer from the City of Canton.
A former prosecutor, Bobby champions systemic change and is a pioneer in trial science. His accomplishments in the courtroom have been recognized by outlets such as ABC News, for whom he provided ongoing, real-time analysis on the landmark civil rights trial in its series “The Death of George Floyd: Derek Chauvin on Trial.” Public Justice, a national legal advocacy organization, recognized Bobby with its prestigious Trial Lawyers of the Year award for his work on the landmark Black v. Hicks case. Mr. Arnold Black was a victim of appalling brutality and corruption in the City of East Cleveland, Ohio. Bobby tried Black’s case to a jury that awarded a record $50 million—a verdict sustained by the U.S. Supreme Court.
About DiCello Levitt
At DiCello Levitt, we’re dedicated to achieving justice for our clients through civil and human rights, class action, business-to-business, public client, whistleblower, personal injury, and mass tort litigation. Our lawyers are highly respected for their ability to litigate and win cases—whether by trial, settlement, or otherwise—for people who have suffered harm, global corporations that have sustained significant economic losses, and public clients seeking to protect their citizens’ rights and interests. Every day, we put our reputations—and our capital—on the line for our clients.
DiCello Levitt has achieved top recognition as 2023 Plaintiffs Firm of the Year and 2023 Trial Innovation Firm of the Year by The National Law Journal as well as our top-tier Chambers and Benchmark ratings. For more information about our firm, including recent trial victories and case resolutions, please visit www.dicellolevitt.com.