Resentencing in paddling case

WARREN — Retired Fowler Township Police Chief James Martin has been resentenced in a case in which he paddled juveniles.

Judge Andrew Logan of Trumbull County Common Pleas Court sentenced Martin on Tuesday to 90 days in jail and fined him $500. It was all suspended.

He was also required to perform 120 hours of community service, which Martin has already done.

In March 2005, a jury acquitted Martin, 57, also a retired Howland police captain, of 11 counts of assault for operating a juvenile diversion program that involved paddling young males.

The jury found him guilty of 12 counts of using a sham legal process and six counts of dereliction of duty for various aspects of the diversion program he operated in 2002 and 2003.

In November 2006, the 11th District Court of Appeals overturned 17 of the 18 charges of which he was convicted. It let stand one count of dereliction of duty for which he was sentenced Tuesday.

Also, Judge Logan allowed defense attorney Dominic Vitantonio of Mayfield Village 60 days to seek a reduction in Martin’s court costs, which exceed $3,000. It’s not clear whether Vitantonio will seek the reduction.