No prison sentence for teen behind Cleveland’s Public Square attack

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael O’Malley is again calling out juvenile judges on social media. The most recent case pointed to by prosecutors occurred in an alley just off Public Square.

The brutal attack was caught on camera, but despite the evidence and the 15-year-old’s admission, he spent less than a month in the juvenile detention center.

The video shows a 15-year-old approaching a 57-year-old from behind and hitting him in the face. The Cuyahoga County District Attorney’s Office said the boy broke the man’s nose and required two surgeries. The man pulled out a gun after the attack but did not fire it.

Prosecutors said the teen admitted felonious assault. He spent 22 days in jail, but after he wrote a letter of apology to his victim, Judge Nicholas Celebrezze sentenced him to two years probation.

He’s not the only teenager who recently committed a crime in Public Square. Last November, two teenagers were shot at the Christmas tree lighting in Public Square. The shooter was a 15-year-old boy.

Romona Flenory grew up attending public events, but no longer feels safe.

“I wouldn’t dare come out,” said Cleveland resident Romona Flenory. “I wouldn’t allow my children to come out, my younger nieces and nephews. No, because you’re not sure what you’re getting yourself into.”

While the 15-year-old was awaiting sentencing in connection with the Christmas tree lighting shooting, he was arrested for assaulting detention officers.

Judge Anne McDonough sentenced him to three years in a juvenile detention center.

Cleveland residents are divided on the issue.

“I’m not in favor of harsh punishments if there’s a reason for it,” said Aziza Bomani-Bailey of Cleveland. “So figuring out whether that’s through counseling, for example, whether that’s through intrusions into their private life or into their community, like figuring out why this keeps happening as opposed to slapping someone on the wrist after they’ve committed a crime .”

“The mentality of kids these days is that the police won’t do anything, I can do whatever I want and I think there should be something where they are shown that you just can’t do whatever you want , because “You’re a teenager,” Flenory said. “Something has to happen. Something has to change. Because if nothing changes, especially in downtown Cleveland, God help us.”

19 Research found that violent crime increased by nearly 30% from 2022 to 2024, with 92 violent crimes committed at Public Square that year compared to 71 in 2022.

“Man, when you get them out here, they’re standing in the middle of the street, these hellcats, blocking the streets, pointing their guns and skating in the middle of the street, it’s unsafe,” said Landon Otis Sr. of Cleveland.

19 News has repeatedly requested interviews with juvenile court judges, but our requests have been denied.

A juvenile court spokesperson provided 19 News with the following statement.

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