WARREN Ex-cop receives jail time

The defense attorney said the sentence was 'very harsh' and he will try to get his client out of jail sooner.
By PEGGY SINKOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- Timothy Albu's brief career as a police officer will end with 120 days in the county jail.
Albu, 23, who pleaded guilty in April to misdemeanor charges of vehicular homicide and reckless assault, sobbed during the sentencing hearing in Judge Andrew Logan's Trumbull County Common Pleas courtroom.
"All I ever wanted to be was a police officer," Albu said, as tears ran down his face. "I'm so sorry."
Albu, who was a part-time police officer with the Howland Township police department, was accused of causing a fatal automobile crash Nov. 10 that claimed the life of Delbert Lambert, 47, of Niles. Albu had worked for the department for about a year, township officials said.
Police reports state that Albu was driving southbound on Ridge Road in response to a nonemergency call when his police car crossed the center line and struck a car driven by Chad W. Mitchell, 23, of Niles. Mitchell and one passenger, Cammie R. Kosak, 19, of Niles, were treated at St. Joseph Health Center in Warren. Lambert, the other passenger, died. Albu was not injured.
Deserved sentence?
"His sin was blind ambition," said defense lawyer Dave Betras of Youngstown before sentencing. "He wanted to be a cop since he was 6 years old. That night, he wanted to back up a fellow police officer. He wanted to prove that he's the best cop."
Atty. Ken Bailey, an assistant county prosecutor, said Albu was speeding on his way to the call. Police have said that Albu was driving 30 mph over the speed limit.
Bailey said Albu could have received up to a year in jail.
"I think this was a very harsh sentence," said Betras. "I think the fact he was a police officer is why he was dealt with so harshly. This is a very tragic situation. I have never known anyone to be as remorseful as he is. This is very sad."
Betras added that Albu will be able to leave the jail to work. He said Albu works at a local store.
"I will do what I can to try and get him out of jail sooner," Betras said.
Nancy Lambert, Delbert's wife, said she was pleased that Albu got jail time. She had asked the judge prior to sentencing to punish Albu.
"I do not hate this person. I know he is not a bad person, but he acted recklessly and should be punished," Lambert said. "Our lives were changed drastically. These police officers are suppose to be here to protect us."
sinkovich@vindy.com