WARREN Killer refuses to ask jury to spare his life

A psychologist said the convicted killer is remorseful.
By PEGGY SINKOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- A 19-year-old man convicted of killing two people has rejected the advice of his attorneys to plead with the jury to spare his life.
Ronald Shaffer of Newton Falls sat quietly during a hearing to determine his fate Thursday in the Trumbull County Common Pleas Courtroom of Judge John Stuard.
Shaffer also refused to allow his mother to speak on his behalf.
Sandra McPherson, a Cleveland psychologist, testified that Shaffer is "very remorseful" and feels he should take responsibility for his actions.
The jury that convicted Shaffer of two counts of aggravated murder, two counts of kidnapping and one count each of attempted aggravated murder, aggravated robbery and aggravated burglary is to decide if he should be sentenced to death.
The jury was expected to begin deliberating that phase today.
Victims: Shaffer was convicted Tuesday 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, and the attempted murder of David Harper, 38, Prospect Street, Newton Township, who survived the shooting.
The jury can recommend that Shaffer be sentenced to death, life in prison without the possibility of parole or parole eligibility after 25 or 30 years.
McPherson said Shaffer, who has a low IQ, had numerous run-ins with the law as a juvenile, but his only previous violent offense was a domestic violence charge when he was 13.
McPherson said Shaffer adjusted well every time he was in a structured setting such as the juvenile detention center and she believes he would adjust well to prison life.