Man testifies about sexual attack in jail

A 22-year-old man told a common pleas jury yesterday he was sexually assaulted by five inmates while he was in County Jail in January.

The five are charged with rape. They are on trial before Judge Perry B. Jackson. who is retired but working on assignment.

The man, who was in jail awaiting sentence as a probation violator when the incident occurred, said he had rejected homosexual advances from two of the accused on the morning of the attack.

Then they were joined by the other three. he said, who held him down as they took turns raping him.

He showed the jury scars on his neck that he said were the result of his being held during the assault. He described the actions of each of the accused to the jury.

The attacks occurred between 11 a.m. and noon on the fifth floor of the jail, he said.

After the attack, one of the defendants threatened to kill the victim if he told anyone, he said.

The man said he ran out of the cellblock four hours after the attack when a deputy sheriff entered to get another inmate.

He reported the assault to guards. who had him identify his attackers from pictures.

The defendants' names and addresses, according to court records, are: Michael Eaton. 20. of 9903 Pierpont Ave. NE; Ralph Wells, 23, of 1236 Bender Ave., East Cleveland; James L. Carr, 23, of 12204 Mount Overlook Rd. SE; George Britton. of 1134 E. 141st St., and Ervin Green. 25. of 3443 E. 140th St.