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Staff file photo / R. Michael Semple
Fred E. Joseph Jr. is led by Trumbull County sheriff deputies back to jail after one of the court hearings at the Trumbull County courthouse. Joseph, having been sentenced to 30 years to life in the slaying of Niles officer John A. Utlak in 1982, will have a parole hearing in September.
The juvenile killer of a Niles police officer in 1982 has had his parole hearing moved up because of a new state law that is giving juvenile murderers more chances at freedom.
Fred E. Joseph Jr., convicted in 1983 and sentenced to 30 years to life in the slaying of Niles patrolman John A. Utlak, will face a parole hearing this September.
Members of the congregation of St. Michael Catholic Church in Canfield worship inside their church recently. More people have been returning to in-person worship at churches and parishes throughout the Mahoning Valley in recent weeks.
The grandson of the 94-year-old victim of convicted murderer Jacob LaRosa blames Ohio’s elected officials for giving the killer a chance for freedom in 19 years and then every five years after that.
“We owe this miscarriage of justice to a Republican governor and Legislature,” said Brian Kirk, who questioned how this new state law could happen in a place known for its tough-on-crime, common-sense approach to governing.
Submitted photo
Marie Belcastro enjoys a day on the water with her grandson Brian Kirk, who has become an advocate against a new Ohio law dictating sentencing for juvenile offenders. The 94-year-old woman was murdered in her Niles home in 2015.
The grandson of the 94-year-old victim of convicted murderer Jacob LaRosa blames Ohio’s elected officials for giving the killer a chance for freedom in 19 years and then every five years after that.
“We owe this miscarriage of justice to a Republican governor and Legislature,” said Brian Kirk, who questioned how this new state law could happen in a place known for its tough-on-crime, common-sense approach to governing.
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