Robbery, Assault Trial Begins Today For Shaker Heights Man

The robbery trial for Derrick Bufford, 22, of Shaker Heights, and his codefendant -- Brandon Campbell, 21, of Cleveland -- begins today in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge Pamela Barker's courtroom.

They, along with 22-year-old James Simpson, are accused of robbing a couple near West 10th Street in Cleveland.

According to the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor's Office, this is what occurred:

The 28-year-old man was in the parking lot of his apartment building with his girlfriend, 23, of Olmsted Township, when he was grabbed from behind, according to prosecutors.

They then put the man in a choke hold, struck him in the face and stole his cell phone. When the woman refused to give them her cell phone and wallet, they also hit her in the face.

A short time later, the trio approached a 21-year-old male who was walking near East 9th Street and Euclid Avenue and they stole a gold chain from
around his neck.

The third victim chased the defendants around the block when one of them stopped, appeared to brandish a weapon and then chased after him.

All three suspects were arrested on July 8, 2011.

On Sept. 12, 2012, Simpson pleaded guilty to one count of robbery and was later sentenced to 9 months in prison.

Bufford and Campbell face charges of robbery and felonious assault.