State denies parole to man who killed Lordstown bartender

The prosecutor said Gary Betz doesn't deserve any more second chances.
By ED RUNYAN
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- A Columbiana County man convicted of killing a Lordstown bartender in 1976 has been denied parole but may be getting closer, a victims advocate fears.
Gary A. Betz, 51, of Homeworth, had a parole hearing last month at the Grafton Correction`al Institute, where he is housed. The date set for his next parole hearing is Jan. 1, 2007, according to the state Adult Parole Authority's Web site.
Miriam Fife, victims advocate for Trumbull County, says the short time frame for his next hearing could be an indication that Betz might be getting closer to parole.
"The parole board might be thinking of continuing it year to year, but it may be thinking about releasing him," Fife said.
In March 1977, Betz was sentenced to seven to 25 years in prison for aggravated robbery and life in prison for aggravated murder for killing Ronald Goche, who was 30 at the time of his death. Betz has served 28 years and one month.
Testimony at the trial indicated that Betz and Carl "Willie" Oyer, who was 20 at the time of the crime, spent the day before the murder drinking heavily, smoking marijuana and taking pills.
Oyer testified that Betz fired the fatal blast into Goche's face from a sawed-off shotgun. Goche died instantly. Betz said Goche, whom he'd known for six months, owed him $30, and he went to the Riviera Inn tavern to collect. He testified he brought the shotgun along to scare Goche.
Opposes parole
Trumbull County Prosecutor Dennis Watkins, who prosecuted the case, said he continues to oppose parole for Betz, because of the facts and circumstances of the case, including the fact that Goche had befriended Betz and been generous with him.
Watkins said Goche invited Betz to Goche's engagement party held at Goche's home some time before the murder. "According to the fianc & eacute;e, Ron felt sorry for him because he didn't have many friends," Watkins said.
The night of the murder, Goche had closed up the bar and taken the receipts to a back area in the building when Betz came in with the shotgun. Unknown to Betz at the time, a witness was sleeping in the back area and heard the conversation that followed.
According to Watkins, Goche asked Betz, "'Gary, why do you have a gun? Take what you want. Consider it a loan. You won't get in any trouble.'" At that point, Betz said, "'You're right I won't,'" and shot Goche in the face, killing him, and taking the money, Watkins said.
Violated parole
Watkins said Betz was on parole for burglary at the time of the murder, which means he was being given a second chance.
"If you are on parole and burglarize, rob and kill, you get no more chances," Watkins said. "We shouldn't risk parole by releasing him. We can't take a chance."
Watkins wrote to the Adult Parole Authority in 1992 and 1997 to oppose parole for Betz.
Watkins said one of three judges who handled the case was in favor of the death penalty, but the two other judges were not. "He was given the benefit of the doubt when he was given a life sentence rather than the death penalty," Watkins said.
No family members gave testimony or wrote letters opposing Betz's parole this time, Fife said, though family members have participated in the past.