Beware of crime's spread in rural area, judge warns

Testimony showed the victim was beaten to death for $20.
By D.A. WILKINSON
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
LISBON -- A judge used the sentencing in a murder case to issue a warning about growing drug-related violence in Columbiana County.
Judge C. Ashley Pike of common pleas court said Friday, "In summary, we, the citizens of Columbiana County, have a big problem."
The judge made his comment while sentencing Shane A. Mitchell, 19, of Fifth Street, Salem. A jury found Mitchell guilty on Monday of murder, robbery and tampering with evidence in the beating death of Bradley L. VanHorn of Salem in December 2004 in the parking lot of First Christian Church.
Judge Pike sentenced Mitchell to the mandatory 15 years to life on the murder charge, six years for the robbery charge and three years in prison for tampering with evidence. The terms will be served consecutively.
He could have been sentenced to up to 10 years in prison on the robbery charge and five years on the tampering charge.
Before being sentenced, Mitchell said he was sorry for the loss to VanHorn's parents.
Co-defendant Richard P. Forrester, 20, of Lisbon, already had pleaded guilty to murder and is serving a sentence of 15 years to life. He testified against Mitchell.
According to testimony, Mitchell recruited Forrester to help rob VanHorn by pretending to buy VanHorn cocaine.
Thomas VanHorn, the victim's father, spoke before Mitchell was sentenced. He said he remembers every day that his son was beaten to death for $20.
He added that his son was so badly beaten that his coffin had to be closed during the funeral.
VanHorn's mother, Gwen Davis, said her son was killed by "two punks who wanted a few bucks."
Public warning
Judge Pike said the case, "is a tragic scenario of alcohol, drugs and an excruciating death."
"The depravity of mind illustrated by the conduct of this defendant and his co-defendant is almost impossible to grasp," Judge Pike said.
"Tragically, the evidence gives a picture of a subculture that has too long existed in this county and is undoubtedly growing. We are no longer a rural county seemingly immune from the negative, more urban influences about which we have read or heard."
It may be the first time locally that a common pleas judge here has issued a public warning at a sentencing.
"I think that says something," said county Prosecutor Robert Herron. "It's the same message I've been trying to get out."
Herron has been urging community groups to get involved in the fight against drugs. Heroin use in the county is skyrocketing, and factions from Michigan and New Jersey are competing to corner the illegal drug market, Herron has said.
Judge Pike continued, "This is a case of organized criminal activity in accordance with a developing plan of robbery, which resulted in the cruel beating death of another, all premised on a promise of cocaine -- and after that death, [the] conduct of this defendant to cover up his participation."
wilkinson@vindy.com