Prisoner Jumps To His Death After Sentencing At Court

STEUBENVILLE, Ohio (AP) - Authorities say a man took his own life at an eastern Ohio courthouse moments after he was sentenced to 13 years in prison.

Jefferson County prosecutor Jane Hanlin says 42-year-old Jason Binkiewicz was being led out of the courtroom by a deputy Friday when he got away and threw himself over the building's third floor banister. He was then pronounced dead.

Jefferson County Sheriff Fred Abdalla says the deputy grabbed the handcuffed man's clothing as he jumped, but could have gone over, too, if he held on.

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Binkiewicz was sentenced on attempted murder and felony assault charges after he was found guilty in July of shooting a man in the face.

Abdalla says the attorney general's office and Steubenville police will investigate Binkiewicz's death.

A message seeking comment was left Saturday with an attorney for Binkiewicz.

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