MAHONING COUNTY Judge sentences man who gave car to Koliser

The Youngstown man could have received up to five years in prison.
By DAVID SKOLNICK
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- A 22-year-old Youngstown man who admitted he gave Martin L. Koliser Jr. his car after witnessing him shoot a man outside a West Side bar was sentenced to 18 months in a state prison.
Koliser is charged with the attempted murder of 23-year-old Donell T. Rowe, a shooting that Frank Howley Jr. of Donald Avenue said he witnessed. After the shooting, Howley said Koliser demanded his car, and he complied.
Police say that about two hours later, Koliser murdered Patrolman Michael T. Hartzell.
Howley says he will cooperate with authorities in Koliser's prosecution.
He could have received up to five years in prison after pleading guilty to obstruction of justice.
Early release possible
Judge James C. Evans of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court sentenced him Wednesday, and said if Howley cooperates with authorities and stays out of trouble in prison, he could be released early.
Howley is one of four of Koliser's friends charged with obstruction of justice related to the April murder of Hartzell and shooting of Rowe. Two others have pleaded guilty.
Of the four, county prosecutors say Howley is the least culpable, and they aren't opposed to his early release if he continues cooperating with them.
Before his sentencing, Howley apologized for "any inconvenience or any way I misled police. I apologize to people who were harmed or people I put in danger with the mistake I made."
Howley said after Koliser shot Rowe, he asked for Howley's car. Howley said he was in no position to deny the request.
Michael Gollings, his attorney, said Howley was "motivated by fear" after witnessing "a very senseless act. I'm not trying to excuse his actions, but he was a very frightened man."
The judge said to honor Gollings' request to not send Howley to prison would be a mistake.
"You sure run with the wrong crowd, my friend," Judge Evans told Howley.
skolnick@vindy.com