Man sentenced in murder case

The victim's mother said Frank Sinkovich deserved a life sentence.
By BOB JACKSON
VINDICATOR COURTHOUSE REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- If Judge James C. Evans had his way, Frank Sinkovich Jr. would be on his way to Iraq instead of prison.
"I wish I could send you to Fallujah without a weapon," Judge Evans told Sinkovich. "But I can't."
Then, calling Sinkovich's actions "disgusting and heinous," Judge Evans sentenced the 25-year-old Bennington Avenue man to 23 years in prison.
Sinkovich is one of four people charged in connection with the May 2000 robbery and murder of 24-year-old Steven Skinner Jr. of Warren.
About the case
Sinkovich has admitted that he and the others -- Kateo Patterson, Clemons Higgins and Bobbie Beal -- conspired to lure Skinner to Youngstown, where they robbed him at gunpoint of about $15 and some marijuana, then forced him into the trunk of his own car.
They drove the car to an isolated area on the city's East Side, behind Sacred Heart Church, poured gasoline on it and set it on fire with Skinner inside.
Sinkovich pleaded guilty in September 2001 to involuntary manslaughter, kidnapping, aggravated robbery aggravated arson and conspiracy. Prosecutors dropped a charge of aggravated murder and recommended the 23-year sentence in exchange for his testimony against the others.
The sentence did not sit well with Skinner's mother, Delphine Skinner, who said Sinkovich deserved a life sentence.
"You are a selfish, lying murderer and I hope you rot in hell," Mrs. Skinner told Sinkovich before he was sentenced. Sinkovich did not look up during her comments, but his face turned red as he listened.
Deal offered to all four
Assistant Prosecutor Jay Macejko said he understands the deal was distasteful, but that it was necessary. He said the same offer was made to all four defendants in exchange for testimony against the others, and Sinkovich was the first to accept it.
"We had to have someone who was behind that church and could tell us what happened," Macejko said.
Sinkovich testified last year against Patterson, who was convicted of multiple felony counts including aggravated murder, and sentenced to 66 years to life in prison. Higgins pleaded guilty to reduced charges earlier this year and is awaiting sentencing.
Like Sinkovich, Higgins has agreed to testify against Beal when her case goes to trial. In exchange, prosecutors have recommended a 23-year sentence for him. Beal's case is set for trial next month on charges identical to Patterson's.
Defense attorney John B. Juhasz said Sinkovich regrets what happened, but Judge Evans said he saw no proof of that. Sinkovich offered no apologies to the Skinner family and made no comment to the judge before sentencing.
"I didn't seen any remorse," the judge said to Sinkovich. "If there was, then it might have been some magical thing emanating from the chair you were sitting in, but it certainly didn't come from you."
bjackson@vindy.com