Jason Hymes clutches a handkerchief as he looks over court papers. A Mahoning County jury on Thursday took less than an hour to return guilty verdicts of murder, felonious assault and domestic violence in the death of Hymes’ wife, Ryan. Staff photo / R. Michael Semple

YOUNGSTOWN — The father of a woman, killed by the hands of her husband, was escorted out of a Mahoning County courtroom Thursday after he shouted at the defendant.

The outburst — which led to the clearing of the Common Pleas courtroom of Judge Anthony D’Apolito — took place during closing arguments in the trial of Jason Hymes Sr., 47. A jury of six women and six men later returned four guilty verdicts against Hymes in his wife Ryan’s February death.

Her father’s emotional interruption took place as the jury was viewing for a second time a video of Hymes severely beating his wife outside Topsy’s Lounge, 1375 Logan Ave., on the night of Feb. 13.

The video taken from an exterior security camera showed the confrontation inside and outside Hymes’ pickup truck, which was parked near the entrance to the bar. Footage showed Hymes punching his wife twice and banging her head against the side of the vehicle.

Prosecutors had first played the video while presenting their case to jurors Wednesday.

The woman died Feb. 15 from brain injuries. Two doctors had testified earlier in the three-day trial that severe head trauma caused the injuries.

During closing, defense attorney James Wise pointed out that three officers were called to the Hymes’ home after the incident at the bar and did not arrest anyone or take anyone to the hospital.

“There was absolutely no evidence or testimony that Jason purposely had intent to cause the death of his wife,” Wise told jurors.

Ryan Hymes was taken to the hospital early the morning of Feb. 14, and detectives arrested Hymes on felonious assault charges after questioning him at the police station.

Assistant Prosecutor Jennifer McLaughlin told jurors that Ryan Hymes’ 13-year-old daughter heard an argument in the basement of the Alameda Avenue home and then saw her mother being punched once by the defendant. The youth left the home to call 911 shortly after midnight Feb. 14.

“This woman had no chance of escaping,” McLaughlin said.

Assistant Prosecutor Steve Yacovone, in answering Wise’s challenge that no wounds were found on his client’s hands, said the small size of Ryan Hymes had something to do with this.

“How much force would it take to hurt that tiny woman?” Yacovone asked.

Shortly afterward, Yacovone played the seven-minute video, which was interrupted by a man who openly challenged the defendant. Deputies in the courtroom were quick to respond in removing the man, later identified as Ryan Hymes’ father. Deputies then cleared the courtroom of spectators as jurors were read their final instructions.

Jurors took less than an hour to return guilty verdicts of murder, felonious assault and domestic violence.

Sentencing for Hymes is scheduled for 2:15 p.m. Thursday in D’Apolito’s court. The defendant is currently serving a two-year prison sentence for a gun conviction not related to the murder case.

gvogrin@tribtoday.com