TRUMBULL COUNTY Trial begins in Howland killing

A defense attorney said he expects a jury to be seated in about two weeks.
By PEGGY SINKOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- Jury selection will begin today in the capital murder trial of a 29-year-old Youngstown man.
Court officials said prospective jurors in Nathaniel Jackson's trial have been asked to report to Judge John Stuard's Trumbull County Common Pleas courtroom today.
Jackson, of South Pearl Street, Youngstown, and Donna Roberts, 57, of Howland are accused of killing Robert Fingerhut. Roberts was Fingerhut's common-law wife. Both have pleaded innocent. Roberts' trial is scheduled for February.
Once the jurors enter the courtroom they will hear a list of names of those involved in the case and of the possible witnesses that may testify. Any juror who knows anyone involved will be asked to tell the judge.
"This is just the very beginning," said Atty. Anthony Consoldane, who represents Jackson. "It's going to take us about two weeks to seat a jury because we will also have individual questioning to try and determine the person's feelings on the death penalty."
Consoldane said he expects a jury to be seated the week of Oct. 21.
Prosecution's case
According to an 11-page affidavit filed with the court by the prosecutor's office, Roberts and Jackson planned for several months to kill Fingerhut, 57. Police said the two corresponded, mostly by letter, while Jackson was in prison.
Court documents state Jackson was released from Lorain Correctional Institution on Dec. 9, 2001, after serving one year on a conviction out of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court on two counts of receiving stolen property.
Police said they found hundreds of handwritten letters Roberts and Jackson wrote to each other.
The letters, found in Roberts' home and car, show Roberts and Jackson were lovers more than two years.
Denies planning
Jackson has denied planning anything with Roberts.
He refers to her as a nice lady who helps people.
Jackson told detectives Jeff Hoolihan of Warren and Paul Monroe of Howland in a videotaped statement that on Dec. 11 he and Robert Fingerhut were arguing at Fingerhut's Fonderlac Street S.E. home in Howland when Fingerhut pulled a gun.
He said he and Fingerhut began fighting and the gun went off, wounding him in the finger. He said the two continued to fight and Fingerhut was shot, according to his statement.
Jackson said Fingerhut was breathing heavily and he left.
Trumbull County 911 records show that Roberts called 911 around 12:25 a.m. Dec. 12 to say she found her husband dead.
Fingerhut was shot at least three times, including once in the back of the head, according to the affidavit.
sinkovich@vindy.com