WARREN — The Youngstown man convicted of shooting a man multiple times aired his grievances over what he claimed the handling of his trial at his sentencing hearing in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court.

Danny Lee Isom Jr., 41, accused the judge of racism and of showing favoritism toward the prosecuting attorney.

He was then sentenced Tuesday to 11 to 15 years in prison.

Isom Jr. was found guilty after a two-day felonious assault trial in connection to the Aug. 25 shooting of Eddie Pierce in the 1900 block of Hazelwood Avenue SE, Warren.

Before handing down a sentence, Judge Ronald Rice allowed Isom to speak. He used it as an opportunity to level several accusations regarding bias and racial bias.

“My Sixth Amendment constitutional rights were violated. I did not get a trial by a jury of my peers,” Isom said. “The census of Trumbull County shows that this country is made up of more than half minorities, yet and still I somehow end up with an all-white jury, I’m not understanding that.”

Rice refuted the accusations, telling Isom his assessment was incorrect and he received a “random selection of jurors just like everybody else,” while also claiming the black population was more near 12% compared to Isom’s tally. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, it’s estimated the white alone population in 2023 in Trumbull County is 87.8% while the black population is estimated at 8.9%.

Isom also accused Rice of showing bias “in the presence of the jury” toward his attorney in favor of the prosecuting attorney

“Everything my attorney objected to you overruled with disdain,” he said. “Everything the prosecutor objected to you sustained in the presence of the jury, so in my opinion, you showed a bias and prejudice to the jury that leans more toward conviction and you are in a position of power to where people will follow.”

Isom also said Rice violated laws, constitutional rights to secure convictions while also declaring the judge to be a “racist.”

Rice rejected the claims, telling Isom that was “his opinion,” and he can raise those issues in an appeal.

Pierce, said he’s still dealing with the aftermath of the shooting. It, he said, has taken a physical and emotional toll on his life.

“He (Isom) ruined my life. I take care of a lot of people, kids, grandkids, my daughters, and this has messed my life up,” Pierce said.

Pierce said he has had to relearn basic motor skills and still struggles with using his hands to get dressed and groom himself. He said he’s also noticed a shift in his personality since the shooting from the trauma.

Said Michael Burnett, county assistant prosecutor, “The number of shootings that we have in Warren is ridiculous. We have to do something about it. We need to put people who commit crimes like this in prison and throw away the key.”

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