TRUMBULL COUNTY Murder trial to begin

The defendant remains free on a $100,000 bond.
By PEGGY SINKOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- Jury selection is scheduled to begin this morning in the trial of a 22-year-old Mineral Ridge man accused of causing the death of his 32-year-old girlfriend.
Atty. Phil Vigorito, who represents Brian George of North Main Street, said he thought the trial would begin because he didn't think a plea bargain could be reached with the prosecutor's office.
Judge W. Wyatt McKay of Trumbull County Common Pleas Court will preside.
The charges: George is indicted on charges of murder, involuntary manslaughter and felonious assault. If convicted of all the charges, he could face 20 years to life in prison.
Weathersfield Police Capt. Joseph Consiglio said George is accused of killing Debbie Hanna of Ohltown-Girard Road on Jan. 6, 2001.
George, who has pleaded innocent, is free on a $100,000 bond.
Consiglio said George had been dating Hanna, but he didn't know how long the two had known each other. Consiglio noted that Hanna had three children and worked at a day-care center in Lordstown.
What's alleged: In an affidavit filed with the court by the prosecutor's office, Consiglio said that at 8:30 a.m. Jan. 6, Weathersfield police and fire officials were called to George's home because Hanna was not breathing.
Fire Chief Randy Pugh found Hanna in the basement bedroom. Officials noticed that there were fresh bite marks on her leg and arm and a bruise across her neck, the affidavit states.
George told Consiglio that he and Hanna were riding a four-wheeler with friends from 8:30 p.m. Jan. 5 until 3 a.m. Jan. 6. They were both drinking and had also smoked marijuana, according to the affidavit.
George told police that he went to sleep and that when he woke up Hanna was lying on him and he noticed that she was not breathing.
The Trumbull County coroner's office ruled Hanna's death a homicide and gave the cause of death as asphyxia.
sinkovich@vindy.com