Man pleads innocent to murder

A defense attorney complained about his client's jail conditions.
By PETER H. MILLIKEN
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- A suspect in the murder of an elderly Weathersfield man remains held without bond in Trumbull County Jail after pleading innocent to charges related to the slaying, as well as unrelated robbery charges.
Alan Matthew Francis, 42, appeared Thursday before Trumbull County Common Pleas Judge John M. Stuard to answer an indictment, which charges him with the aggravated murder of John P. Crocker, 76, of Emerson Avenue, who was shot and bludgeoned and had his throat slashed Nov. 21 in his residence.
Francis, who is also charged with aggravated robbery and aggravated burglary in the slaying, faces a possible death sentence if convicted in the murder. Francis gave police a Girard address, but police said he lives in Niles.
In addition, Francis is charged with robbery in an attempted purse-snatching Nov. 17 at Damon's Restaurant on Youngstown-Warren Road in Niles. He is also charged with aggravated robbery in Nov. 22 armed heists at Society Cleaners on Robbins Avenue and Papa John's Pizza on Vienna Avenue and a Nov. 23 armed robbery at Fuel Mart on West Park Avenue -- all in Niles.
Because he has a felony conviction that bars him from gun possession, Francis was also charged with having a weapon under disability.
Pleas entered
Atty. Anthony V. Consoldane of the public defender's office entered innocent pleas on behalf of Francis. Appearing with Consoldane was Atty. James F. Lewis, also a public defender.
Assistant county Prosecutor Christopher D. Becker asked Judge Stuard to order that Francis remain in jail without bond. But Consoldane argued that the charges are merely unproven allegations and that Francis has a constitutional right to bond. He said the prosecutor's affidavit in support of the charges "was more like a publicity release than an affidavit."
Consoldane complained that Francis was being held in a cell with a foul odor, forced to sleep on a bare, cold metal bed attached to an outside wall with no mattress on it. Water on the cell floor isn't mopped up, Consoldane added. "I wouldn't keep a dog in a place like they're putting him," he told the judge.
Becker replied that the jail is inspected annually and that Sheriff Thomas Altiere is responsible for jail operations.
Judge Stuard asked the two deputies to find out if there's any basis for Consoldane's complaint and said, if there's water on the floor, it's unacceptable. If problems persist, Judge Stuard urged the defense to file a motion to correct them with his court.
Consoldane acknowledged that his client has attempted suicide but said Francis is now taking medications and feeling much better.
Asked about Consoldane's complaints later, Altiere said all of the jail's beds are metal and attached to walls. Francis has no mattress because he's on suicide watch after trying to kill himself in the jail, Altiere explained. If there's water on the floor, it will be mopped up, he added.
A pretrial hearing is set for 1 p.m. Dec. 21 before Judge Stuard.
milliken@vindy.com