HARTZELL MURDER Florida witness seeks share of reward in capture of cop killer

The Florida man in line for the reward says he tried to meet with the mayor.
By PATRICIA MEADE
VINDICATOR CRIME REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- A recommendation on how to split the cash reward offered for the capture of cop killer Martin L. Koliser Jr. was sent to the mayor "within the last week," a police spokesman says.
Lt. Robin Lees said Tuesday that it is up to Mayor George M. McKelvey, not the police, to divulge the amount of the reward, how the money will be split and to dispense the funds. Lees would say only that the reward committee has recommended that the money be divided on a percentage basis among several people.
McKelvey did not respond to messages seeking comment.
The reward committee -- Police Chief Robert E. Bush Jr.; Capt. Robert Kane, chief of detectives; and Detective William Blanchard, fiscal officer-- was established to review leads that poured in after Patrolman Michael T. Hartzell was shot to death April 29, 2003. The reward money was pledged by the city, businesses and private citizens, the chief has said.
Koliser, who turns 31 on April 11, is on Death Row.
"I can't say if we reached $40,000," Lees said Tuesday, referring to the amount reported nearly a year ago. He said the mayor would know how much pledged money actually showed up.
Koliser's capture in Florida came roughly 30 hours after he ambushed Hartzell as the officer sat in his cruiser at the red light at West Federal Street and Vindicator Square.
What's expected
Bush has said it's likely that the largest portion of the reward will go to John Rizzotto, a Cadillac salesman in Clearwater, Fla. Rizzotto set up Koliser for capture and testified at trial.
The chief had expected the reward to be handed out in mid-February. He later revised that to say the reward would likely coincide with the one-year anniversary of Hartzell's death.
Rizzotto, reached on his cell phone Tuesday in Florida, said he was in Youngstown last month and introduced himself to Detective Sgt. Rick Alli, Crime Stoppers coordinator, who advised him to contact the mayor about the reward.
Rizzotto said he tried to meet with Bush and McKelvey.
"The chief wasn't in. I went to the mayor's office; he was in but didn't want to talk to me," Rizzotto said. "I was treated rudely last month. I just want somebody to tell me what's going on -- that's all I ask."
Rizzotto said it's his understanding that taxi drivers who witnessed Koliser shoot Hartzell are going to get some of the reward.
Alli has said many people offered tips that identified Koliser and aided in the capture but that Rizzotto will receive the lion's share of the money.
Koliser called Rizzotto about six hours after shooting Hartzell, and they arranged to meet at a restaurant in Florida.
Lisa Ferguson, the sister of Koliser's friend, is engaged to Rizzotto. It was Ferguson who put police in touch with Rizzotto from her Austintown apartment.
Rizzotto rented a room for Koliser at the Knight's Inn in Palm Harbor, Fla. Koliser surrendered after police surrounded the hotel.
Rizzotto said the reward was not his reason for taking part in the case, noting he wasn't aware of it until afterward.
"I was told I was getting the lion's share," Rizzotto said Tuesday. "Who else put their life on the line?"
He said Ferguson arrived this week in Florida for a visit.
meade@vindy.com