YOUNGSTOWN Witness to tell of aid to Koliser

Howley faces one to five years in prison or could be placed on probation.
By BOB JACKSON
VINDICATOR COURTHOUSE REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Prosecutors say Frank Howley Jr. watched Martin Koliser shoot a man outside a West Side bar in April, then gave Koliser his car to drive away.
That's what Howley will be expected to tell jurors when Koliser goes on trial in the attempted murder of 23-year-old Donell T. Rowe, said Jay Macejko, assistant Mahoning County prosecutor.
Koliser also is charged with aggravated murder and other felonies related to the death of Patrolman Michael T. Hartzell, who was shot in his cruiser some two hours after Rowe was shot.
Howley, 22, of Donald Avenue, pleaded guilty Monday in common pleas court to one count of obstructing justice. He and three other men are accused of hampering police efforts to locate Koliser after the April 29 shootings of Rowe and Hartzell.
Part of agreement
As part of the plea agreement, Howley will cooperate with authorities in building a case against Koliser and will be a prosecution witness during Koliser's trial, which is scheduled for July 28.
Howley faces one to five years in prison or could be placed on probation when he is sentenced Aug. 8 by Judge James C. Evans.
Macejko said Howley was talking with Koliser at the Casaloma Gardens, a Mahoning Avenue bar, when Rowe "interjected himself" into the conversation.
At one point, Koliser pulled a gun and shot Rowe in the chest, after which Howley gave Koliser his car, officials said.
Macejko said Koliser was still driving Howley's car when he and Hartzell were stopped at a traffic light on West Federal Street. Police say Koliser got out of the car, shot Hartzell and drove away.
Macejko said Howley's Lincoln Town Car, which Koliser was driving when Hartzell was shot, was later found abandoned. Koliser's car, a Chevrolet Corsica, was found in Howley's garage.
The other suspects -- Lemar Butler, Jonathan Kuzan and Forrest Rupp Jr. -- are expected to plead guilty this week. They are each charged with obstructing justice and being held in the county jail awaiting trial.
bjackson@vindy.com