A man in Ohio has jumped to his death after being found guilty of attempted murder.

Jason Binkiewiz, 42, escaped from a guard and jumped over a third floor balcony of a courthouse in Steubenville, Ohio, on Friday.

The man was being escorted out of the courtroom after being sentenced to 13 years for shooting a man in the face in 2015, when he broke free and ran towards the banister.

Jefferson County Sheriff Fred Abdalla said: "As soon as Binkiewicz started running, Deputy Price he was on him quick enough when he reached out - he had his shirt.

"It wasn't good enough, and if he held on to the shirt, most likely Deputy Price would have gone over with him", he added.

Binkiewiz, who was convicted of attempted murder and felony assault, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Prosecutor Jane Hanlin said there was no indication the man was going to jump and called it a "heart-breaking day".