Suspect in East Side shooting death waives preliminary hearing in municipal court

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) — The suspect in a June shooting death on the East Side will now have his case heard by a Mahoning County grand jury.

Samuel Perez, 22, waived his preliminary hearing Wednesday in municipal court on a charge for the June 18 shooting death of Angel Sostre, also 22 .

Sostre was found shot to death about 5:30 a.m. behind an apartment on McBride Street.

Perez was arrested last week on an unrelated felony but authorities said he was questioned by detectives and he confessed to Sostre’s death.

His lawyer, Michael Yacovone, asked Magistrate Meghan Brundege to lower his client’s $1 million bond, which was set at his July 9 arraignment . Yacovone said Perez is a lifelong resident of the city, has strong family ties and does not have the means to come close to posting his bond.

Assistant City Prosecutor Gene Donofrio asked Magistrate Brundege to continue the bond, saying that Perez confessed.

Magistrate Brundege said she would continue the bond because of the seriousness of the crime and also because Perez has other pending felonies.

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