Fight Breaks Out At Sentencing Of Youngstown Killer, Courtroom Chaos Caught On Video

YOUNGSTOWN, OH — The scheduled sentencing of a man who confessed to murdering his ex-girlfriend was interrupted last week when a fight broke out in the courtroom after the victim’s two sons tried to jump their mom’s killer, according to authorities.

Police said that Anthony Dees, 30, and Jerome Stewart, 23, the two sons of victim Elizabeth Pledger-Stewart, allegedly broke through a line of security officers and lunged at Dale Williams — the convicted killer who admitted to murdering their mother in mid-June 2018.

Just prior to the brawl, one of the sons had reportedly been preparing to give his victim-impact statement.

Courtroom video of the incident depicts security officers grappling with the victim’s sons, and using a Taser to subdue one of them. Both sons were reportedly arrested and held on contempt charges, and additional charges are expected.

Dale Williams, who has come to be known as the "Youngstown Market Street Killer," was reportedly the ex-boyfriend of the victim.

Authorities said Williams spent 45 minutes in his car waiting for Pledger-Stewart to drive by him on Market Street. Upon spotting her, Williams allegedly rammed her vehicle, crashed it into a building, and then shot her multiple times as she begged for her life. Pledger-Stewart was 46. An officer reportedly arrested Williams at the scene.

Court records indicate that Williams pleaded guilty to a charge of aggravated murder in May 2019.

After the courtroom violence, according to WKBN, Mahoning County Sheriff Jerry Greene stated, “Our deputies there intervened. We had extra officers in the courtroom to begin with. I’m sure they knew that there were some tensions with this sentencing hearing. From everything I can see, the officers acted appropriately. In fact, did a pretty good job, in my opinion.”

Williams’ sentencing is reportedly going to be rescheduled.

Read more: WKBN, WFMJ, The Youngstown Vindicator, Heavy