Father Attacks Sons Killer IN Court

**OfficerResource.com** · 08-11-07, 05:47 PM

This happened in our Local court room!
http://www.wtov9.com/news/13832486/detail.html
CLICK ABOVE LINK TO SEE GRAPHIC VIDEO

STEUBENVILLE, Ohio -- The father of a shooting victim was detained after he attacked his son's killer in the courtroom Monday as dozens of people looked on.

Antonio Clifford, of Cincinnati, admitted in court that he robbed and shot 28-year-old Joshua Sweat, of Weirton, in a parking lot last year in downtown Steubenville.

After the plea, Mike Sweat, the victim's father, leaped and began to choke Clifford. Amid screams from both the victim's and the killer's families, it took dozens of law enforcement officers to control the crowd.

Moments later, everyone was ordered out of the courtroom and Sweat was detained. He was later released, county officials said.The outburst was in the wake of impact statements from the victim's mother and sister.

"I truly believe if you are ever set free to live in society, there will be another victim -- another family -- that is shattered," Ginger Sweat, the victim's mother, said to Clifford.

The defense and prosecution came to a plea agreement after deciding that, based on the evidence from the crime, Clifford did not initiate the robbery that took place.

Clifford, who faced the death penalty, was sentenced to 33 years to life in jail after he pleaded to aggravated murder, aggravated robbery and tampering with evidence.

The aggravated murder charge carried the most weight, with a 20-year sentence.

Assistant Jefferson County Prosecutor Jane Keenan previously said Sweat came from Weirton to the empty parking lot in downtown Steubenville to meet with the three men for a drug deal. Police said the men first robbed Sweat, then Clifford shot and killed him.

Clifford is one of three men who was charged in connection with the crime. Byron Johnson, of Steubenville, is currently serving a 15-year sentence after pleading guilty to murder.

Patrick Thurman, also of Steubenville, previously pleaded guilty to aggravated robbery and tampering with evidence.

Stay with NEWS9 and WTOV9.com for continuing coverage.

-Renee Cardelli, Natalie Pasquarella & Shelby Zarotney, NEWS9

**k-9max** · 08-11-07, 06:01 PM

Yeah, i seen this on the local news the other night.
the awesome part is, they didnt press any charges on this guy for thumping the shit out of the murderer.
I thought i seen you in there reca.
wasnt you the guy that just watched from the back of the room for a minute., lol

**10-42Adam** · 08-11-07, 06:59 PM

I don't blame the dad, if I were him I'd be mighty pissed, too. I'm glad no charges were pressed against him. May the murderer rot in hell...

**kjlaw** · 08-11-07, 07:10 PM

I can't say that I blame him and will be the first to admit that put in his place I would most likley react the same way.

**countybear** · 08-11-07, 07:52 PM

Compare the hollow and dramatized "outrage" from trumped-up activist groups against this man's rage and righteous indignation, and I think you will be able to see clearly where sincerity resides.

May almighty God grant an extra measure of grace on this family, and may those responsible for his son's death find justice to be an extention of our heavenly Father's rage as well.