BOARDMAN Man appears before judge in murder case

Bond has been set at $1 million.
By JOHN W. GOODWIN JR.
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
BOARDMAN -- A shackled 52-year-old Joseph Nazarini appeared before Judge Joseph Houser today, sullen and confused over the legal process taking place.
Nazarini wore an orange jumpsuit with Mahoning County Jail written across the back. He has been in the jail since his arrest Friday.
Nazarini, of 235 Oakley Ave., is charged with aggravated murder in the death of his wife, Denise Nazarini, 52.
Judge Houser explained the legal process to Nazarini twice. Nazarini was given a copy of the charge against him, but no plea was accepted because it is a felony. A preliminary hearing was scheduled for Feb. 17.
Judge Houser set bail at $1 million.
Nazarini asked the court to provide legal counsel. Judge Houser said legal counsel would be provided because of the serious nature of the charge, but Nazarini might be required to cover some of the cost after a final determination of his assets is made.
According to police, Nazarini stabbed his wife at about 8 a.m. Thursday. He then sat with the body all day Thursday and called police to turn himself in Friday morning.
Police said the body of Denise Nazarini was found in a bedroom. She had suffered multiple stab wounds and appeared to have been dead for about 24 hours, police said.
As Nazarini was led away from the Boardman Area Court courtroom, several unidentified spectators with tear-filled eyes also made their way to the doors.
The murder was the township's first since June 2002, when a man was run over while trying to stop another man from stealing his wife's purse.