Man gets maximum for assault, abduction

The Trumbull County man will be eligible for a parole hearing in 10 years.
YOUNGSTOWN -- John J. Hohvart of Mineral Ridge will spend the next 13 years behind bars for convictions on charges of felonious assault and abduction in the beating of his former girlfriend last fall.
Judge James C. Evans of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court sentenced Hohvart, 34, of Niles-Carver Road, to the maximum sentence of eight years for felonious assault and five years for abduction. He ruled Tuesday the sentences would be served consecutively.
Judge Evans said Hohvart still showed no remorse, and that he would likely repeat the crimes again. Therefore, the judge concluded, maximum consecutive sentences were called for.
That had been the recommendation of Dawn Krueger, an assistant county prosecutor. She said Hohvart could apply for a parole hearing after serving 10 years.
Victim's statement
Before sentencing, the victim read a statement to the court in which she called Hohvart "a monster" who had destroyed her trust and who had hurt her emotionally and physically.
"Thanks to you, John, I will never be the same," the 24-year-old Salem woman said. She said she has nightmares borne from the attack; she has had reconstructive surgery; she continues to suffer nagging pain in her jaw; and her dental bills alone are more than $10,000.
Hohvart's lawyer, Ted Macejko Jr., had asked the judge for concurrent rather than consecutive sentences. He added his client showed no remorse because Hohvart steadfastly maintains he never hurt the victim and that she was beaten up before they got together.
He said he would represent the Trumbull County man if Hohvart wishes to appeal the verdict or the sentence.
Hohvart apologized to his family for the grief and embarrassment he had caused them, particularly his four children. He said he was sorry the victim was beaten, but again said he did not harm her.
A five-woman, seven-man jury convicted Hohvart on the two charges April 5, deliberating about two hours. They determined that Hohvart severely beat the victim, a passenger in Hohvart's vehicle, during the early-morning hours of Oct. 3, 2004, while he drove around various roads in Austintown.
The victim claimed Hohvart got angry with her when she said she was ending their relationship.