Former Warren defense attorney finally arraigned
WARREN — Former Warren defense attorney Maridee Costanzo has finally been arraigned after twice refusing to leave her jail cell.
Costanzo, 64, pleaded not guilty in Warren Municipal Court to a misdemeanor charge of drug abuse, stemming from a July 19 paramedic call to her Genesee Avenue home to treat an overdose victim.
Police noted four prior calls for overdoses at the address in the past three months.
A public defender was assigned to Costanzo on Monday, court records show.
Costanzo was arrested Aug. 10 after failing to appear in court. She then refused to leave her jail cell twice for scheduled video arraignments.
She remains in jail on a $1,500 bond, according to Trumbull County jail records.
Costanzo lost her law license after she was convicted in a plot to kill her husband and served eight years in federal prison.