Sheffield Lake man’s trial set to begin in cop shooting

The trial of a Sheffield Lake man accused of shooting a cop is scheduled to begin Feb. 20. Martin L. Robinson, 40, is facing a single count of attempted aggravated murder, six counts of attempted murder, 11 counts of felonious assault and single counts each of tampering with evidence and inducing panic. Each of the 20 charges levied against Robinson also bear two firearm specifications. The litany of charges is the result of Robinson’s alleged involvement in a May 31 standoff when members of the Lorain County SWAT Team and the U.S. Marshal’s Office attempted to serve a warrant out of Cuyahoga County to Robinson’s Oliver Street home. Those warrants were on charges of carrying a concealed weapon, improperly handling firearms in a motor vehicle, OVI and violating a protection order in connection to an Oct. 31, 2017, arrest in Brook Park, according to Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court records. A Brook Park police report said Robinson was in a car that was pulled over for speeding and was found to be under the influence. After a search of the car, a pistol was found in the glove compartment along with a magazine. Officers said they’d been watching the Oliver Street home beginning at 10 a.m., May 31, and when they attempted to make contact with Robinson, he did not answer the door. When the officers breached the door, Robinson fired shots striking 17-year-veteran Amherst police officer Eugene (J.R.) Ptacek. He was assigned to the Lorain County SWAT Team which is made up of officers from departments across the county. Robinson was also struck by gunfire during the maelstrom and both men were transported to various hospitals after the incident. Ptacek was celebrated at a party Nov. 8 after spending about two months in the hospital and multiple surgeries. At that time, he said he hoped to return to the force in the spring. Robinson waited nearly six months for the indictment, as he was being held in the Cuyahoga County Jail while awaiting trial on his initial charges, which eventually were dropped. He is still facing identical charges in a separate Cuyahoga County case, according to court records. After he was secretly indicted in December 2018, Robinson has chosen to maintain his right to a speedy trial, which means prosecutors had 90 days from the time of his indictment to bring him to trial. Most defendants waive this time to give their defense attorneys time to prepare for the case and to try and negotiate a plea agreement if desired. Robinson’s trial is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. before Lorain County Common Pleas Court Judge D. Chris Cook. The morning will deal with pretrial motions and the jury is expected to be seated in the afternoon.

Robinson