WARREN Killer's fate to be decided

A Cleveland psychologist is scheduled to testify during the mitigation hearing.
By PEGGY SINKOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- Defense attorneys will try to persuade jurors to spare a convicted killer's life when they tell them details about their client's family history and mental state.
Attys. Anthony Consoldane and James Lewis of the Ohio Public Defender's Commission said they want jurors to understand that Ronald Shaffer, 19, of Newton Falls is not "a monster but a troubled young man."
The jury that convicted Shaffer of two counts of aggravated murder, two counts of kidnapping and a count each of attempted aggravated murder, aggravated robbery and aggravated burglary Tuesday will now decide if Shaffer should face the death penalty.
Background of case: Shaffer was convicted of the June 23 murders of Garry D. Bell, 40, of 3066 state Route 5, Leavittsburg, and Charles Mathey III, 40, of Milton Boulevard, Newton Falls. He also was convicted of the attempted murder of David Harper, 38, Prospect Street, Newton Township, who survived the shooting.
Defense attorneys said Shaffer did not intend to kill anyone and that he only went to the Harper home to rob him of drugs and money.
The mitigation phase of Shaffer's trial is scheduled to begin today in the courtroom of Judge John Stuard.
The jury can recommend that Shaffer be sentenced to death or life in prison without the possibility of parole or parole eligibility after 25 or 30 years. After the jury makes its recommendation, it will be up to the judge to impose the sentence.
"He has a very low IQ," Consoldane said. "I believe it is in the low 80s. He also had a hard time growing up because his father was in prison for most of his youth."
Consoldane noted that Shaffer's father is deceased.
To testify: Consoldane said that Sandra McPherson, a Cleveland psychologist, has spent several hours talking to Shaffer and she is scheduled to testify.
"She will be able to the tell the jurors a lot about Shaffer's mental state," Consoldane said.
He noted that he also will ask some of Shaffer's relatives and friends to speak during the hearing.
"I'm not sure if Ron will talk yet," Consoldane said. "He has the option of giving a statement to the jury, and I told him he should but he hasn't let me know if he is going to or not."