ohio-defense-firm-v1

'Who committed the murder?' attorney asks, pointing to another suspect besides his client

Thu, 13 Mar 2025 20:16:15 GMT

Recent Blogs

'Who committed the murder?' attorney asks, pointing to another suspect besides his client

Defense attorneys, though, claim Omenai didn’t pull the trigger and it may instead have been the man who set up the deal.

“The question is: Who had the gun, who was in the car and who committed the murder?” Noah Munyer, one of Omenai’s attorneys, said Tuesday during his opening statement in Omenai’s murder trial. “That’s the burden the state has.”

Omenai, 23, is one of two men charged in the Jan. 22, 2020, shooting death of Tiffany Rhea, 27, in Akron’s Goodyear Heights neighborhood. Rhea was shot and killed after a struggle with a man outside of a car while her 5-year-old son was strapped in a car seat inside of it.

Easter said Johnson denied any involvement, but later told detectives he had set up the deal but Omenai was the one who fired the shots. He said Omenai told him he shot at the couple but thought he had missed.

Easter said Omenai’s phone records showed him calling and texting Armstead and telling him where to go. She said Omenai performed web searches about the fatal shooting and tried to sell a 40-caliber weapon, the type used in the shooting.

Munyer, though, questioned the credibility of the prosecution’s key witnesses. He said Armstead lied to police “hundreds of times, earnestly, on every detail.”

Munyer said Johnson was facing a murder charge and the potential of decades in prison. He said Johnson could have been the gunman.

“You will have reasonable, logical doubt,” Munyer said. “We’re never going to know what happened.”

Armstead, who was the first witness, said he and Rhea were buying Percocet once or twice a week from Johnson. He said they trusted Johnson and never thought they or their son would be in danger.

“We thought it was safe,” Armstead said.

Armstead said he talked to and texted several times on the day of the shooting with Johnson, who asked to borrow money and for a ride. He said he told Johnson he didn’t have cash to spare but could give him a ride. He said Johnson said he could get the Percocet, and they expected to see him when they arrived at the location for the deal.

Instead, Armstead said, Omenai, whom he didn't know, got into the back of their car. Armstead pointed to Omenai in the courtroom.

Armstead said he looked at the pills Omenai was trying to sell them and saw that they were white instead of blue like they should be.

“I sensed something was off,” Armstead said.

On the way to the hospital, Armstead said, he was in shock.

“The first thing that popped into my head — I thought the whole thing was a setup,” he said.

Armstead said he lied to detectives out of fear of losing custody of his son, but then cooperated — even taking a detective back to the scene.

Munyer, who represents Omenai with Attorney Jeff Laybourne, though, pressed Armstead about the lies he told detectives.

“You have kind of a loose relationship with the truth,” Munyer said.

“I wanted to try to protect my son,” Armstead replied.

Munyer asked Armstead how jurors will be able to tell when he’s telling the truth and when he’s lying.

“I’m telling the truth right now,” Armstead said.

Munyer questioned Armstead about when he last communicated with Johnson.

“Not since the day he shot my son’s mom,” Armstead said.

Armstead then corrected himself, and said, “Not since he set up my son’s mom to be shot.”

Read More

Former STVM wrestling coach sentenced to probation for sexual contact with graduate

Thu, 13 Mar 2025 20:11:30 GMT

Recent Blogs

Former STVM wrestling coach sentenced to probation for sexual contact with graduate

A former St. Vincent-St. Mary High School wrestling coach and Olympian pleaded guilty Thursday to gross sexual imposition related to his sexual contact with a female graduate of the school.

Justin “Harry” Lester, who was originally charged with sexual battery, accepted a plea agreement rather than taking his case to trial in Summit County Common Pleas Court.

Judge Joy Malek Oldfield immediately sentenced Lester to three years of probation, the penalty agreed to by the attorneys.

The victim who accused Lester, who is now 20 and was older than 18 at the time of the sexual contact, spoke during the sentencing, accusing Lester of grooming and taking advantage of her.

“I forgive you — not for your benefit — but for my ability to move forward and live freely,” she told Lester.

Lester pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of gross sexual imposition, a fourth-degree felony. Prosecutors dismissed the other charges against him.

Munyer said he advised Lester to refrain from speaking because of the pending civil suit.

Oldfield told Lester will be required to abide by the terms of his probation; if he does not, he will face penalties that could include up to 18 months in prison. She also designated him a Tier 1 sex offender, which means he will be required to register his address annually for the next 15 years.

After the sentencing, Munyer said Lester is prohibited from working in schools or coaching.

“We appreciate the court accepting the recommendation of the parties,” Munyer said.

“Cases like this rarely end with everyone happy with the outcome. Mr. Lester is looking forward to moving on with his life.”

Read More

Hostage or criminal mastermind? Copley man faces jury trial in triple homicide

Thu, 13 Mar 2025 20:08:48 GMT

Recent Blogs

Hostage or criminal mastermind? Copley man faces jury trial in triple homicide

Elias Gudino, 59, of Copley, played a role in the kidnapping of four Youngstown men , three of whom were found bound, gagged, shot in the head and dumped off the road in Copley Township and Akron.

But Summit County jurors in Gudino's murder trial will determine what role he played — the mastermind behind the crime or the pawn of a drug cartel he once worked for, peddling drugs.

Defense attorney Noah Munyer argued his client was the fifth hostage. He was compelled to take part in the triple homicide that he knew nothing about until it happened. If he didn't, the drug cartel could kill his family.

"Is he the fifth hostage, or the mastermind behind it?" Munyer asked jurors, concluding his opening statement.

Assistant Summit County Prosecutor Zachary Neumann said Gudino was a husband seeking revenge. A roommate of the four Youngstown men started living with Gudino's wife, who recently left him.

"Is it a coincidence that the cartel had him go to the home of a man having a relationship with his wife?" Neumann asked the jury in his opening statement.

Gudino faces six counts of aggravated murder, two counts of attempted aggravated murder, three counts of murder, one count of attempted murder, four counts of kidnapping, one count of having weapons while under disability and one count of tampering with evidence, according to court documents. He also faces numerous 3-year gun specifications, which could carry additional prison time if found guilty.

Munyer said Gudino will take the stand toward the end of the trial, which Summit County Common Pleas Judge Mary Margaret Rowlands expects will take multiple weeks to complete.

Munyer, and his co-counsel John Greven, argued that Gudino was a forced participant in the crime because if he didn't help, his family would be killed.

Gudino initially worked with a drug cartel to earn quick and easy money, Munyer said. He started dealing in small amounts of drugs but eventually tried to sell 8 kilograms of cocaine for the cartel.

"He was caught redhanded with a big pile of cocaine," he said. Sentenced to 10 years in prison in 2009, Gudino was released early in 2017.

During that time, Munyer said, no one from the cartel contacted Gudino, a trend that continued as he built up his trucking and lawn mowing businesses. Then in 2023, a masked individual armed with a gun and two demands knocked on his front door.

He told Gudino he knew where his daughter lived and where his grandchildren went to school, Munyer said. Gudino should come with him and do what he said.

"The people he loves most in the world are in jeopardy for his sins," Munyer told the jury. "So, he gets in the truck, and they go to Youngstown."

In the next few hours, two masked individuals and Gudino kidnapped the four roofers, took them to Gudino's home in Copley, bound and gagged them and wrote "MS13" on their chests.

"That was an effort to throw the police off their scent," Munyer said. "I don't think that worked."

Read More

CyberCheck was a lauded crime-solving software, then attorneys questioned its credibility

Thu, 13 Mar 2025 20:04:05 GMT

Recent Blogs

CyberCheck was a lauded crime-solving software, then attorneys questioned its credibility

Despite recent legal victories, a controversial phone and internet-tracking software that uses artificial intelligence is unraveling behind the scenes in Summit County.

Ninth District Court of Appeals judges overturned the exclusion of the technology called CyberCheck in two murder cases in September. At the same time, questions posed by its opponents and former supporters of the software could limit or entirely halt its use.

Attorney Donald Malarcik has also repeatedly called into question the credibility of Adam Mosher, CEO of Global Intelligence Inc., the creator of CyberCheck.

Malarcik has accused Mosher of lying under oath and questioned the reliability of his software.

"The Court of Appeals has not sanctioned the use of CyberCheck in any way," Malarcik said after one appellate decision in September. "All of the problems associated with Mr. Mosher and his software are still present."

The Summit County Prosecutor's Office, which lauded the software under former Summit County Prosecutor Sherri Bevan Walsh, dropped CyberCheck as evidence across multiple murder cases starting in June after her successor, Elliot Kolkovich, took office.

Without the software, there's no way to replicate CyberCheck's findings," Malarcik said. "His software does not save the data points that he concludes link our client to the crime scene."

Malarcik filed motions to compel prosecutors to produce software they didn't have on hand. Eventually, two cases went before the Ninth District Court of Appeals where they were reversed in favor of prosecutors.

Read More

Texas man acquitted in Jackson truck stop rape case

Thu, 13 Mar 2025 19:51:40 GMT

Recent Blogs

Texas man acquitted in Jackson truck stop rape case

A Texas man has been found not guilty of raping a woman at a travel center in Jackson Township.

David Odhiambo, 39, of Forth Worth, was acquitted of both rape, a first-degree felony, and kidnapping, a second-degree felony, in Stark County Common Pleas Court.

A jury of eight women and four men deliberated about two hours Thursday morning following a trial that began Tuesday.

The allegations stemmed from a woman being trained by Odhiambo to drive a semitractor-trailer. Both Odhiambo and the accuser worked for a trucking firm in Texas, said Jacob Will, the defendant's attorney.

Odhiambo had faced up to 11 years in prison, Will said.

"He rejected some plea offers," the attorney said. "He was steadfast in his claim of innocence. Obviously, we're grateful for the jury service."

Michael Bickis, an assistant Stark County prosecutor, said rape cases "are difficult for all involved."

Will told jurors that "this story's not believable enough to remove that presumption of innocence."

Will noted it was not until 15 minutes had passed in the recording that sexual activity began. Conversation took place during those 15 minutes, he said.

"We certainly don't hear any screams or acts of physical violence," he said.

After the recording ends, the woman got out of the truck, Will said.

Will noted that the woman met with police two days later. The sexual assault exam revealed no bruising on her body, the attorney told jurors.

As for initially telling police he didn't have sex with the woman, Will said his client was in a foreign country and "scared about going to a foreign jail."

Read More

Currence sentenced for death of boyfriend’s 8-year-old daughter

Thu, 13 Mar 2025 19:46:56 GMT

Recent Blogs

Currence sentenced for death of boyfriend’s 8-year-old daughter

Jacob Will, Currence’s defense attorney, said it was a “tragic case” in which two families are now grieving — Paityn’s biological family and Currence’s family. He played the 911 call in which Currence can be heard crying and performing CPR as she waits for first responders to arrive on scene.

“That’s one of the most traumatic 911 calls I’ve ever experienced in my career, and I just play that because I need it to be known that this was not an intentional act. The plea agreement reflects as much. … I just want it to be clear that Jessica grieves with everyone else for the loss of Paityn,” he said.

Will asked the judge to impose a sentence of probation or residential incarceration.

Read More

Appeals court overturns Sydney Powell conviction, opens door for second murder trial

Thu, 13 Mar 2025 19:42:14 GMT

Recent Blogs

Appeals court overturns Sydney Powell conviction, opens door for second murder trial

Appellate judges overturned Sydney Powell's conviction in the murder of her mother, opening the door for a possible second trial in a case that garnered nationwide media attention.

Ninth District Appeals Court Judge Jennifer Hensal wrote the decision that was issued Thursday. Judges Donna Carr and Betty Sutton sided with Hensal.

In defending Powell, attorney Don Malarcik argued she was not guilty by reason of insanity. Hensal wrote the Summit County Common Pleas judge should have allowed Powell to present rebuttal testimony in arguing her case.

"The trial court denied Ms. Powell's motion based solely on the conclusion that there has been 'lots and lots and lots' of expert testimony in this matter," Hensal wrote. "Under these circumstances, however, Ms. Powell had an 'unconditional right' to present rebuttal testimony."

Hensal said it was up to Powell's attorneys to prove she was suffering from a severe mental illness during the murder, so had the right to rebuttal testimony.

Following the three-week trial, jurors had three choices: guilty, not guilty by reason of insanity or not guilty. They found her guilty of two counts of murder, felonious assault and tampering with evidence.

Summit County Common Pleas Judge Kelly McLaughlin sentenced Powell to life in prison with possible parole after 15 years.

Malarcik said Powell's family is "ecstatic and hopeful."

"People like Sydney who suffer from a serious mental disease do NOT belong in prison," Malarcik wrote. "I look forward to working with our newly elected prosecutor to ensure Brenda's death is no longer used for political purposes."

Read More

Murder charges dropped against Akron brothers after data-tracking firm can't supply records

Thu, 13 Mar 2025 19:38:39 GMT

Recent Blogs

Murder charges dropped against Akron brothers after data-tracking firm can't supply records

Two Akron brothers had their murder charges dismissed Monday after Global Intelligence Inc. — the parent company of an internet and cell phone data tracking software called CyberCheck — could not provide records in a joint request issued by prosecutors and defense attorneys.

"Without those items, the state cannot satisfy the Daubert standards," Summit County Assistant Prosecutor Rick Raley said Monday, referring to a hearing used to determine the credibility of testimony.

Without evidence to convict the brothers, Summit County Common Pleas Court Judge Kathryn Michael dismissed those charges without prejudice.

"These cases could be refiled" if new evidence comes to light, Michael noted.

Attorneys Noah Munyer and Jeff Laybourne represented Demonte Carr. Attorney Reid Yoder represented Demetrius Carr.

"We appreciate the prosecutor’s office following the evidence and dismissing the case against Mr. Carr," Munyer said. "Mr. Carr and his family are grateful to have this matter behind them."

Read More

Appellate court rules CyberCheck should not be ruled out in Javion Rankin murder case

Thu, 13 Mar 2025 19:35:27 GMT

Recent Blogs

Appellate court rules CyberCheck should not be ruled out in Javion Rankin murder case

Defense attorney Donald Malarcik has questioned the reliability of the software and the credibility of its creator.

"I would be shocked if prosecutors put Adam Mosher back on the stand," Malarcik said.

"Prosecutors dropped CyberCheck from every single pending case because they know it is worthless."

With the appellate matter resolved, the murder case will continue. Summit County Prosecutor Elliot Kolkovich told the Akron Beacon Journal that his office does not plan to use CyberCheck until it has verified its reliability.

The Summit County Prosecutor's Office recently dropped CyberCheck reports as evidence in over half a dozen murder cases, including in the Antonio Miller murder trial.

Read More

'Justice is served,' says attorney of Canton man acquitted of murder

Thu, 13 Mar 2025 19:06:56 GMT

Recent Blogs

Court may have to retry I-77 shooting case after Summit County jury can't reach verdicts

A Canton man wiped a tear from his one eye Thursday afternoon after hearing that a Summit County jury had found him not guilty of murder and other charges related to the November shooting of an Akron man.

The jury deliberated for about six hours before announcing they had a verdict about 3 p.m.

“We’re pleased with the verdict,” said Noah Munyer, who represented Buchanan with attorney Jacob Will. “We believe justice is served.”

Summit County Common Pleas Judge Tammy O’Brien, who handled the verdict reading for Judge Alison McCarty (who was out of town), said Buchanan will be released from custody for this case.

Munyer said Buchanan has a probation violation related to the murder case that will need to be addressed prior to his release.

Defense attorneys, though, said Buchanan, who was partially identified because he has one eye, wasn’t the shooter. They said there are lots of questions that remain unanswered, such as what the disagreement was between Hall and Thomas and the extent of their relationship.

“We think this case might be more about what we don’t know,” said Jacob Will, who is representing Buchanan with Attorney Noah Munyer.

Will, Munyer and Buchanan’s family members, were pleased with the result.

“He’s looking forward to returning to his family and to beginning the process of putting his life back together,” Munyer said.

Read More

Court may have to retry I-77 shooting case after Summit County jury can't reach verdicts

Thu, 13 Mar 2025 18:32:19 GMT

Recent Blogs

Court may have to retry I-77 shooting case after Summit County jury can't reach verdicts

A deadlock was declared Wednesday in the trial of two Akron men accused in the deadly I-77 shooting of 24-year-old Marquise Banks after jurors failed to reach verdicts on all but one of the counts presented.

They found 19-year-old Sirvonte Suggs guilty of having weapons under disability, which means he had a weapon when he was legally prohibited from having one.

Summit County prosecutors accused Suggs of shooting and killing Banks from a vehicle that pulled alongside Banks' Jeep on Aug. 3, 2023, on Interstate 77. The shooting caused the Jeep to careen across the median, striking another vehicle and injuring the driver. Ahmere Williams, 21, is accused of ordering Suggs to kill Banks.

Attorneys will meet at 1 p.m. on March 11 for a status conference to decide on a possible retrial in Summit County Common Pleas Court Judge Kelly McLaughlin's courtroom.

Suggs has five remaining counts. He's charged with aggravated murder, murder, felony murder, felonious assault, discharge of a firearm over a public roadway and firearm and drive-by shooting specifications, which could result in additional prison time if found guilty.

Williams is charged with aggravated murder, murder, felony murder, felonious assault and associated firearm specifications.

Both defendants were returned to the Summit County Jail on Wednesday with their bonds reinstated.

"I consider this a victory. It's not an acquittal, but it's better than a guilty verdict," said Noah Munyer, attorney for Williams. " Jurors said there was not enough evidence to convict."

Munyer's co-counsel attorney Jeff Laybourne said jurors were skeptical about a unanimous decision as early as Friday, one day after they broke for deliberations.

Laybourne described the investigation into his client as "flawed," something he and Munyer argued throughout the trial.

Read More

Akron defense attorney opposes death penalty; has perfect record in capital cases

Thu, 13 Mar 2025 18:13:36 GMT

Recent Blogs

Akron defense attorney opposes death penalty; has perfect record in capital cases

Akron attorney Don Malarcik has represented defendants in six death penalty cases in the past 15 years.

None was sentenced to death.

Malarcik, a staunch death penalty opponent, takes pride in his perfect record on what he considers his most important work.

“I have represented individuals I’m comfortable with never being free again,” Malarcik said in a recent interview. “I never represented someone I thought should die.”

Rather than asking, “Does he deserve to die?” Malarcik thinks the question should be, “Do we deserve to kill?” For him, the answer is no.

Malarcik and his partners, Brian Pierce and Joe Gorman, are well-known in Summit County for their criminal defense work.

In 2001, Malarcik attended Trial Lawyer’s College in Wyoming, a lawyer training program started by nationally known defense attorney Gerry Spence. Malarcik, an attorney for 23 years, now teaches there, including giving instruction on death penalty cases.

Malarcik and Pierce represented Eric Hendon last year, Summit County’s last death penalty case. Hendon was sentenced to life in prison without parole for the triple murder in Barberton.

When Hendon’s trial concluded in April, Malarcik and Pierce criticized the Summit County Prosecutor’s Office for continuing to pursue the death penalty when juries seem unwilling to recommend it. In the county’s last 10 capital cases since 2014, only one drew a death sentence. The rest resulted in life sentences.

“Our system in Summit County is broken,” Malarcik said. “We are hemorrhaging money — at an enormous emotional cost. An objective person who looks at what has happened in the last three years would come to the same conclusion.”

History

Though Malarcik has never lost a capital case at trial, he represented a death row inmate in his federal appeals.

Mark Brown was convicted of a double murder in Youngstown that he committed when he was 18. He was executed in 2007.

Malarcik visited Brown two days before he was executed and told him: “I failed you. I’m sorry.” He said Brown comforted him and assured him he had done all he could.

“The man the state killed and the man who committed this crime when he was 18 were two different people,” Malarcik said. “People change. They have the capacity to grow.”

Malarcik learned about handling death penalty cases in 2001 when he spent three weeks at Trial Lawyer’s College. He described the experience as life-changing and said it shifted how he related to clients, the court, and his family and friends.

Malarcik recalls instructor Cyndy Short, who has handled 100 capital cases and never had a client sentenced to death, telling the attorneys to be “completely unafraid” when handling a death penalty case. She said they must take jurors into a world they are unfamiliar with and show the origins of how the defendant got to where he or she ended up.

Since 2006, Malarcik traveled to Wyoming twice a year to teach at Trial Lawyer’s College. He will return again in November.

Process

Malarcik said he approaches death penalty cases differently from noncapital cases.

“Death is different,” he said. “There is only one right way to do a death penalty case — by putting the time in.”

Malarcik said he and Pierce spent dozens of hours with Tina Hendon Evans, Eric Hendon’s sister who testified during the sentencing phase of Hendon’s case about a childhood filled with abuse and neglect. He said they also spent time at the home of Hendon’s mother, who didn’t testify but talked to him and Pierce about the past and gave them family photographs.

Malarcik said he models how he wants jurors to treat each other and his client during a death penalty trial by being respectful to prosecutors, judges and witnesses even when he has a conflict with them. In a nondeath case, for example, he said he might be aggressive when questioning a police officer about the process used in collecting evidence at the crime scene. In a death case, he said this demeanor could be seen as “modeling vengeance.”

“You must get to the truth in a way that allows the jury to understand choices,” he said.

Malarcik applied this technique in the capital murder case of Jermaine McKinney from Trumbull County. McKinney’s co-defendant was his pregnant girlfriend. Malarcik said he might have attacked her in a noncapital case, but in McKinney’s case he questioned her about having her baby while in custody and missing the baby’s first steps. He said she was in tears when he concluded by saying he understood that she had to choose between her baby and testifying against McKinney.

“Jermaine’s life was saved,” Malarcik said of the outcome of the trial, which resulted in a life-in-prison sentence.

Cost

Malarcik said he thinks Summit County should take death off the table.

He pointed out that death sentences have declined statewide and in Summit County since Ohio’s law changed in 2005 to allow life in prison without parole as a sentencing option. Previously, prosecutors had to seek the death penalty against a defendant for life without parole to be considered.

Since Sherri Bevan Walsh became prosecutor in 2001, the county has had 37 capital punishment cases, with death sentences given in nine cases or 24 percent. Since 2014, however, death has only been given in one of 10 capital cases or 10 percent. The other nine defendants were sentenced to life in prison, with most having no parole possibility, according to a Beacon Journal analysis.

Malarcik said the additional resources required for capital cases could be put to better use, such as into law enforcement or child protective services.

“I don’t think they should be charging death,” he said. “I don’t believe they have made the best use of the resources in Summit County.”

Malarcik, however, defended the nearly $100,000 he and Pierce were paid on the Hendon case. (Hendon was indigent, so his defense was paid for by taxpayers.) He said this is a reflection of the amount of time they put into Hendon’s defense.

Malarcik said he loses money when trying a capital case because of other legal work he is unable to do.

Malarcik isn’t opposed to the idea of creating a public defender’s office for felony cases in Summit County, as long as the office receives funding and training comparable to the prosecutor’s office. He pointed to the federal court system as a positive example.

“If there is not equity, there will not be justice,” he said.

Malarcik’s work on death penalty cases has cost him friendships with police officers and prosecutors and caused strained relationships with judges. Despite this, he said he will continue handling the cases as long as Ohio allows capital punishment.

“I wouldn’t have it any other way,” he said. “This is the most important work anyone can do as a lawyer. You feel the weight of someone’s life in your hands.”

Read More

No drug cartel ties in triple slaying of Youngstown men, Homeland Security agent says

Thu, 13 Mar 2025 18:06:17 GMT

Recent Blogs

No drug cartel ties in triple slaying of Youngstown men, Homeland Security agent says

On cross-examination, Munyer argued there might be more to the investigation than what Gallegos can say in court that could tie drug cartels to the triple homicide that could have claimed two additional lives.

"When did the investigation (into the triple homicide) end," Munyer asked Gallegos.

"Pursuant to the Department of Homeland Security policies, I cannot answer that question," Gallegos replied.

Munyer then asked Gallegos if he investigated potential cartel involvement.

"I can't divulge my full investigation, but I could not find any involvement of the cartel as a motive for these proceedings," Gallegos said.

“Multiple people don’t get killed because they are dating someone else’s ex,” Munyer said, reading from an investigative report written about three days after the triple homicide. “This happens when you owe someone a lot of money.”

Read Mor e

Bar owner testifies in Mentor-on-the-Lake murder retrial

Thu, 13 Mar 2025 18:01:13 GMT

Recent Blogs

Bar owner testifies in Mentor-on-the-Lake murder retrial

Munyer went after Cacic’s credibility by pointing out inconsistencies in both statements regarding the case as well as other incidents. Cacic testified that he called police twice on the morning of the murder. The first was after blood was found outside of the 5612 Park St. home he owned (and rented to bartenders) near the bar. The second call was after the body was found.

Cacic said he called police telling them they had found a body. Munyer said transcripts show that Cacic never mentioned a body during that phone call.

There were security cameras inside the bar during the night of the murder, but they were not working. It is unclear how long the security equipment was out of order. Cacic said he never touches the camera.

Munyer said when a woman asked Cacic on a phone call that police were listening to would the cameras show what happened to her the night before, Munyer said Cacic told her, “the cameras don’t work there, I just tell people that so they don’t steal from me.”

Cacic responded that’s the first time he’s heard that.

Read More

2 men learn their fate after convictions of murder, arson for fatal Canton house fire.

Thu, 13 Mar 2025 17:55:08 GMT

Recent Blogs

2 men learn their fate after convictions of murder, arson for fatal Canton house fire.

As part of negotiated plea agreements, aggravated murder charges filed against both defendants were dropped. The deal requires Cunningham, 26, of Dennison, and Morris, 32, of southwest Canton, to testify truthfully and consistently in any further legal proceedings against codefendants related to the May 1 fire in the house that Campbell rented at 200 Lincoln Ave. NW.

The fire was not set with the intention of killing Campbell, said defense attorney Jacob Will, who represented Cunningham. Will said his client did not know Campbell was in the house when it was set on fire. He said Cunningham cooperated with law enforcement.

Will said Cunningham has a small child and a supportive family. His girlfriend, grandmother and great aunt attended the plea and sentencing.

Members of Campbell's family attended Thursday's court proceedings but did not speak.

Read More

At closing, Brett Hankison attorneys ask: Was Breonna Taylor still alive when he fired?

Thu, 13 Mar 2025 17:42:32 GMT

Recent Blogs

At closing, Brett Hankison attorneys ask: Was Breonna Taylor still alive when he fired?

During closings, Malarcik said Walker initially lied about who fired the shot when asked by police in body camera footage captured that night. In that clip, which jurors saw earlier in the trial, Walker told officers Taylor had been the one to fire the handgun.

Soon after, Walker took responsibility for the gunshot.

But Malarcik brings up this clip in his closing statements, calling Walker a “criminal.”

Walker initially was charged with attempted murder and assault in the March 13 incident but had those charges dropped .

“Do you believe Kenneth Walker when he said he didn't know it was the police (knocking on the door)?” Malarcik said. “The same man who said Breonna Taylor fired the gun and not himself?”

Read More

Warrensville Heights Man Claims Self-Defense, Is Acquitted Of Murder; Sentenced To 3 Years In Prison For Weapons Violations

Tue, 15 Oct 2024 20:22:21 GMT

Recent Blogs

Warrensville Heights Man Claims Self-Defense, Is Acquitted Of Murder; Sentenced To 3 Years In Prison For Weapons Violations

A Warrensville Heights man said he feared for his life when he shot and killed an unarmed Cleveland man in January outside of a Barberton apartment.

A Summit County jury believed Antonio Parra’s self-defense claim and acquitted him this week of murder and felonious assault. The same jury, however, found Parra guilty of two weapons charges.

Larry Vuillemin On Heart To Heart Communications

Tue, 15 Oct 2024 20:17:47 GMT

Recent Blogs

Larry Vuillemin On Heart To Heart Communications

A native Akronite, Larry Vuillemin graduated from St. Vincent High School in 1966. He attended Notre Dame University on a football scholarship, graduating in 1970 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree. He also attended The University of Akron School of Law, graduating in 1973 as Valedictorian.

A former Senior Trial Attorney with the Summit County Prosecutor‘s Office and Akron City Councilman, Larry is currently with the law firm of Malarcik, Pierce. Munyer, & Will, located in Akron, Ohio. He also served as an Adjunct professor at The University of Akron School of Law, teaching criminal law and procedure, and is a member of Scanlon Inn of Court, and the Akron and Ohio State Bar Associations. Larry has been certified as a Spiritual Director through the Ignation Spirituality Institute at John Carroll University. He has also completed the Myers Briggs Certification Process and training in the Enneagram Inventory.

Don Malarcik On Trial Lawyer’s College

Tue, 15 Oct 2024 20:15:34 GMT

Recent Blogs

Don Malarcik On Trial Lawyer’s College

Akron Man Arraigned On More Charges In Fatal Crash

Tue, 15 Oct 2024 20:11:06 GMT

Recent Blogs

Akron Man Arraigned On More Charges In Fatal Crash

An Akron man pleaded not guilty Monday to additional felony charges filed against him for a December crash that left a Chagrin Falls teen dead and two others injured.

John Bird, 50, is now charged with two counts of aggravated vehicular homicide, three counts of aggravated vehicular assault, one count of vehicular assault and two counts of operating a vehicle while under the influence (OMVI). All of the charges are felonies except for OMVI, which is a first-degree misdemeanor.

Who Had The Top 5 Cases In The Akron Area? Local Firms Compete. Malarcik, Pierce, Munyer & Will Save Defendant From Death Penalty

Tue, 15 Oct 2024 20:08:42 GMT

Recent Blogs

Who Had The Top 5 Cases In The Akron Area? Local Firms Compete. Malarcik, Pierce, Munyer & Will Save Defendant From Death Penalty

In January the Akron Bar Association and the Akron Legal News joined hands in a first-ever contest to identify the top five most significant cases handled by local legal professionals over the last 18 months.

Firms and in-house legal departments were asked to submit their top three cases or transactions that were resolved or took place between June 2015 and Dec. 31, 2016.

The cases and/or transactions were to be selected based on precedent, a major verdict, dollar amount or the impact on the community.

Ashley Zhao’s Parents Indicted On Murder Charges

Tue, 15 Oct 2024 19:55:56 GMT

Recent Blogs

Ashley Zhao’s Parents Indicted On Murder Charges

CANTON A county grand jury has indicted a Jackson Township couple on murder and other charges stemming from the death of their 5-year-old daughter who was falsely reported as missing in January.

The six-count indictment against Mingming Chen, 29, and Liang Zhao, 34, both of 7300 Sunset Strip Ave. NW, was released Tuesday by Stark County Prosecutor John Ferrero’s office.

Jackson Township police allege Chen punched her daughter, Ashley, several times in the head, and that when Zhao found the child on the floor, he tried to clean her up before unsuccessfully attempting CPR. Police say the couple concealed the body somewhere inside their restaurant, Ang’s Asian Cuisine restaurant at 4924 Portage St. NW, before falsely reporting the girl as missing.

Akron Defense Attorney Opposes Death Penalty; Has Perfect Record In Capital Cases

Tue, 15 Oct 2024 19:53:15 GMT

Recent Blogs

Akron Defense Attorney Opposes Death Penalty; Has Perfect Record In Capital Cases

Akron attorney Don Malarcik has represented defendants in six death penalty cases in the past 15 years.

None was sentenced to death.

Malarcik, a staunch death penalty opponent, takes pride in his perfect record on what he considers his most important work.

“I have represented individuals I’m comfortable with never being free again,” Malarcik said in a recent interview. “I never represented someone I thought should die.”

Surviving Victim Loses Appeal Of Release Of Records In Triple-Murder Case; Ninth District Says Issues Are Moot

Tue, 15 Oct 2024 19:44:53 GMT

Recent Blogs

Surviving Victim Loses Appeal Of Release Of Records In Triple-Murder Case; Ninth District Says Issues Are Moot

The surviving victim of a shooting rampage that left three others dead has lost her appeal of the release of her medical records and other personal information during a capital-murder trial last year.

The Ninth District Court of Appeals ruled Tuesday that the issues Ronda Blankenship raised in her appeal were moot because she provided the requested information to the court during the trial that has now concluded.

Eric Hendon was convicted of the New Year’s Eve 2013 triple murder and sentenced last May to life in prison without parole. Blankenship was stabbed and shot in the face, but survived. Her boyfriend and his two teenage children were killed.

Cuyahoga Falls Man Sentenced To Life In Prison For Raping, Beating 3-Year-Old Boy

Tue, 15 Oct 2024 19:43:27 GMT

Recent Blogs

Cuyahoga Falls Man Sentenced To Life In Prison For Raping, Beating 3-Year-Old Boy

CUYAHOGA FALLS, Ohio — A Cuyahoga Falls man has been sentenced to life in prison for raping and beating his fiancee’s 3-year-old son.

Zachary Meyerson, 26, will not be eligible for parole for 25 years after being convicted of rape, felonious assault and two counts of endangering children Thursday in Summit County Common Pleas Court.

Judge Alison McCarty sentenced him immediately after a jury returned its verdict, the Summit County Prosecutor’s Office said in a statement.

Lawyer: Death Of Roommate ‘Unfortunate Accident’

Tue, 15 Oct 2024 18:27:16 GMT

Recent Blogs

Lawyer: Death Of Roommate ‘Unfortunate Accident’

AKRON (AP) — An attorney for an Ohio college student charged in the fatal stabbing of his roommate at an off-campus apartment says the death wasn’t a murder but an “unfortunate accident.” University of Akron student Kendal Scheid pleaded not guilty to a murder charge this week in Akron Municipal Court in the death of Duncan Unternaher. Police say the roommate was stabbed in the chest Saturday during an alcohol-fueled argument and died Monday.

ohio-defense-firm-v1

'Who committed the murder?' attorney asks, pointing to another suspect besides his client

Recent Blogs

'Who committed the murder?' attorney asks, pointing to another suspect besides his client

Former STVM wrestling coach sentenced to probation for sexual contact with graduate

Recent Blogs

Former STVM wrestling coach sentenced to probation for sexual contact with graduate ﻿

Hostage or criminal mastermind? Copley man faces jury trial in triple homicide

Recent Blogs

Hostage or criminal mastermind? Copley man faces jury trial in triple homicide

CyberCheck was a lauded crime-solving software, then attorneys questioned its credibility

Recent Blogs

CyberCheck was a lauded crime-solving software, then attorneys questioned its credibility

Texas man acquitted in Jackson truck stop rape case

Recent Blogs

Texas man acquitted in Jackson truck stop rape case

Currence sentenced for death of boyfriend’s 8-year-old daughter

Recent Blogs

Currence sentenced for death of boyfriend’s 8-year-old daughter

Appeals court overturns Sydney Powell conviction, opens door for second murder trial

Recent Blogs

Appeals court overturns Sydney Powell conviction, opens door for second murder trial ﻿

Murder charges dropped against Akron brothers after data-tracking firm can't supply records

Recent Blogs

Murder charges dropped against Akron brothers after data-tracking firm can't supply records ﻿

Appellate court rules CyberCheck should not be ruled out in Javion Rankin murder case

Recent Blogs

Appellate court rules CyberCheck should not be ruled out in Javion Rankin murder case ﻿

'Justice is served,' says attorney of Canton man acquitted of murder

Recent Blogs

Court may have to retry I-77 shooting case after Summit County jury can't reach verdicts

Court may have to retry I-77 shooting case after Summit County jury can't reach verdicts

Recent Blogs

Court may have to retry I-77 shooting case after Summit County jury can't reach verdicts

Akron defense attorney opposes death penalty; has perfect record in capital cases

Recent Blogs

Akron defense attorney opposes death penalty; has perfect record in capital cases

No drug cartel ties in triple slaying of Youngstown men, Homeland Security agent says

Recent Blogs

No drug cartel ties in triple slaying of Youngstown men, Homeland Security agent says ﻿

Bar owner testifies in Mentor-on-the-Lake murder retrial

Recent Blogs

Bar owner testifies in Mentor-on-the-Lake murder retrial

2 men learn their fate after convictions of murder, arson for fatal Canton house fire.

Recent Blogs

2 men learn their fate after convictions of murder, arson for fatal Canton house fire. ﻿

At closing, Brett Hankison attorneys ask: Was Breonna Taylor still alive when he fired?

Recent Blogs

At closing, Brett Hankison attorneys ask: Was Breonna Taylor still alive when he fired?

Warrensville Heights Man Claims Self-Defense, Is Acquitted Of Murder; Sentenced To 3 Years In Prison For Weapons Violations

Recent Blogs

Warrensville Heights Man Claims Self-Defense, Is Acquitted Of Murder; Sentenced To 3 Years In Prison For Weapons Violations

Larry Vuillemin On Heart To Heart Communications

Recent Blogs

Larry Vuillemin On Heart To Heart Communications

Don Malarcik On Trial Lawyer’s College

Recent Blogs

Don Malarcik On Trial Lawyer’s College

Akron Man Arraigned On More Charges In Fatal Crash

Recent Blogs

Akron Man Arraigned On More Charges In Fatal Crash

Who Had The Top 5 Cases In The Akron Area? Local Firms Compete. Malarcik, Pierce, Munyer & Will Save Defendant From Death Penalty

Recent Blogs

Who Had The Top 5 Cases In The Akron Area? Local Firms Compete. Malarcik, Pierce, Munyer & Will Save Defendant From Death Penalty

Ashley Zhao’s Parents Indicted On Murder Charges

Recent Blogs

Ashley Zhao’s Parents Indicted On Murder Charges

Akron Defense Attorney Opposes Death Penalty; Has Perfect Record In Capital Cases

Recent Blogs

Akron Defense Attorney Opposes Death Penalty; Has Perfect Record In Capital Cases

Surviving Victim Loses Appeal Of Release Of Records In Triple-Murder Case; Ninth District Says Issues Are Moot

Recent Blogs

Surviving Victim Loses Appeal Of Release Of Records In Triple-Murder Case; Ninth District Says Issues Are Moot

Cuyahoga Falls Man Sentenced To Life In Prison For Raping, Beating 3-Year-Old Boy

Recent Blogs

Cuyahoga Falls Man Sentenced To Life In Prison For Raping, Beating 3-Year-Old Boy

Lawyer: Death Of Roommate ‘Unfortunate Accident’

Recent Blogs

Lawyer: Death Of Roommate ‘Unfortunate Accident’

Former STVM wrestling coach sentenced to probation for sexual contact with graduate

Appeals court overturns Sydney Powell conviction, opens door for second murder trial

Murder charges dropped against Akron brothers after data-tracking firm can't supply records

Appellate court rules CyberCheck should not be ruled out in Javion Rankin murder case

No drug cartel ties in triple slaying of Youngstown men, Homeland Security agent says

2 men learn their fate after convictions of murder, arson for fatal Canton house fire.