MAHONING COUNTY Parole of killer is blocked

A hearing before the parole board will be in late July.
By BOB JACKSON
VINDICATOR COURTHOUSE REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Steven Masters' scheduled release from prison next week has been blocked pending a hearing before the full Ohio Parole Board.
Masters, 44, has served nearly 24 years of a life imprisonment sentence for killing his wife, Jodi, in February 1979.
The parole board had recommended that he be granted parole on or after June 14. That recommendation was based on a decision by two members of the board, who said Masters has consistently obeyed prison rules, has used his time for constructive purposes and had no criminal record before the murder.
Spokeswoman Andrea Dean said the parole board received a petition today from Jodi's parents, Bill and Joy Thomas of Canfield, asking for a hearing before the full parole board before a final decision is made.
Dean said Masters' parole was immediately put on hold and a hearing before the full board will be sometime in late July. She said the victim's family will be able to attend and speak in opposition to Masters' release.
Life in prison
In 1980, Masters, then 20, was sentenced to life in prison for the aggravated murder of his wife, who was 19 at the time. He also got six to 25 years for aggravated arson. Authorities believe Masters set fire to their Boardman home to cover up the murder.
Authorities believe Masters wanted to collect $170,000 in insurance on the couple's home and his wife's life. He is housed at the Orient Correctional Institution in Pickaway, Ohio.
bjackson@vindy.com