WARREN Man gets 16 years in stabbing death

The sentence disappointed the victim's mother.
By PEGGY SINKOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- A 23-year-old former police academy student who pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and kidnapping charges has been sentenced to 16 years in prison.
Judge Andrew Logan sentenced Gentry Freeman during a brief hearing Tuesday in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court.
Freeman, of Allenwood Southeast, Howland, had been indicted on charges of aggravated murder and kidnapping, but prosecutors agreed to reduce the charges in exchange for his guilty plea.
Charles Morrow, an assistant Trumbull County prosecutor, said Freeman stabbed Denise Angelo, 35, more than 40 times and left her body in a wooded area off North Road Southeast on April 26, 2002.
"The defendant had denied having a knife, but during a polygraph examination he admitted he was in possession of a knife," Morrow said. The lie-detector test was given to Freeman Nov. 26.
Freeman offered no comments before sentencing.
"I'm pleased with the way this worked out," said Atty. Sarah Kovoor, Freeman's attorney. "He has no juvenile history and this is his first involvement with law enforcement."
The victim's mother, Myrtle Sisler, however, begged the judge to keep Freeman in prison for the rest of his life.
I don't think it's fair he should ever get out," Sisler said. "I feel he is guilty, and in my heart I feel he should have life in prison with no parole. We can't let it happen again. Don't let this happen again."
What happened
Angelo was stabbed in the face, neck, chest and abdomen, and some wounds were inflicted after she was dead, according to an affidavit filed with the court by the prosecutor's office.
Freeman told police he assaulted Angelo, but denied stabbing her, the affidavit states.
Freeman said he was driving on Atlantic Street around 3 a.m. April 22 or April 23. He said Angelo got in his car while he was stopped at a traffic light and asked for a ride to the Park Inn in Niles.
When the two got near North Road Elementary School on North Road, Freeman told Angelo to get out of his car. He said she yelled at him and he left, the affidavit states.
Freeman also told police he came back to the area, saw Angelo, and she continued to yell at him. He said he punched her several times, she became unconscious and he left the area, the affidavit states.
Police said Freeman told them he called 911 on April 26 to report that someone dumped something in the area where Angelo's body was located.
When police did not arrive, Freeman called back to say he saw a body in the ditch.
sinkovich@vindy.com