WARREN Man gets 60 days in homicide case

Family members of the victim said they were disappointed with the defendant's sentence.
By PEGGY SINKOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- A 28-year-old city man found guilty by a judge of negligent homicide has been sentenced to 60 days in jail and fined $500.
Municipal Judge Thomas Gysegem said during Thursday's sentencing hearing that he will review Kevin Poff's sentence in 12 days. The judge said he also wants Poff to undergo a drug test at the jail.
"I will review the results of the drug test during a hearing May 1," Gysegem told Poff during sentencing Thursday. The judge indicated that during the upcoming hearing, he may decide to suspend the rest of Poff's jail sentence.
"I'm not very happy with the sentence," said Atty. Maridee Costanzo, who represents Poff. "I would have liked to see a straight probation on this case. It puts a chilling effect on people that are put in a horrific situation of having to defend themselves or their loved ones."
Poff, who was shaking at the hearing, said he was "OK" with the sentence. He also said he was "very sorry."
What happened: Poff entered a no-contest plea to a reduced charge of negligent homicide Feb. 22. At that time, the judge found Poff guilty of fatally shooting Dennis Brozman, 43, on Jan. 30. Poff originally was charged with voluntary manslaughter, which carries a three- to 10-year prison term.
"This is a great loss to us and Dennis is sadly missed," said Maureen Varvil, Brozman's sister. She said her brother, who was a mechanical engineer at Delphi Packard, was a hard worker and a "good provider" to his two daughters, ages 2 and 4.
"We are disappointed that the defendant did not get more jail time," Varvil said.
Police said Brozman broke into Poff's Victoria Street S.W. home Jan. 30. Brozman's estranged wife was at Poff's home at the time. Police said Poff and Brozman began fighting. Poff hit Brozman with a gun and the gun discharged, striking Brozman.
Another matter: Judge Gysegem said he was concerned about statements Poff made to police shortly after Brozman died. Poff told police that he found what he believed to be drugs on Brozman and that he attempted to hide the alleged drugs, the judge said.
"You tampered with evidence of a crime scene," Gysegem said. Poff was not charged with tampering with evidence. The judge did not state what type of alleged drugs Poff said he found on Brozman.
Gysegem also noted that reports from the Trumbull County coroner's office show that Brozman was under the influence of alcohol and drugs when he died.