Murder indictment

Murder indictment

YOUNGSTOWN — Jeffrey J. Stover, 46, of Concord Avenue, has been indicted on a murder charge in the death of a 55-year-old man who was staying with him. His indictment says Stover could be sentenced to 15 years to life in prison if convicted. A Mahoning County grand jury handed up the indictment Thursday. Thomas A. Behnke of South Raccoon Road, Austintown, had been staying with Stover for about six weeks while he was separated from his wife, police said.

Behnke entered St. Elizabeth Health Center in critical condition May 25 after he and Stover got into an argument at the Concord Avenue address at around 2 p.m. Police said Stover stabbed him in the leg and chest. Behnke died the next day. Judge Elizabeth Kobly of Youngstown Municipal Court set Stover’s bond at $500,000 when he was arraigned on murder charges May 29.

Harry Potter fans

YOUNGSTOWN — If you are a Harry Potter fan, excited about the new movie and book, and would like to be interviewed for a story about the upcoming Harry Potter events in the area, call Alison Kemp, Vindicator staff writer, at (330) 747-1471 Ext. 1305 or e-mail her at akemp@vindy.com.

Child endangering

NILES — A Niles couple is charged with child endangering after leaving three young children home alone, police say. Jack Tenney, 31, and his wife, Laura, 23, both of 26 E. Federal St., have pretrial hearings scheduled for July 23. The were arraigned Thursday in municipal court and released on $1,000 surety bonds each.

Jack Tenney pleaded no contest and was found guilty Wednesday in municipal court of domestic violence. He was fined $250 plus court costs and given a 180-day suspended jail sentence.

Police were called to their home Wednesday night by a concerned neighbor who told them the three children, ages 3 and under, were left alone. Police found the children sleeping, but there was a bathtub half full of water. Police reported that Jack Tenney left the house to pick up his wife, who works as an exotic dancer at a Coitsville nightspot. Trumbull County Children Services took custody of the children.

$7 million loan

NEW CASTLE, Pa. — One Lawrence County commissioner says he is ready to put his stamp on a $7 million loan the Lawrence County Industrial Authority is coordinating for a project in Beaver County. Commissioner Ed Fosnaught asked that the matter be put on Tuesday’s agenda. Commissioners initially rejected the idea because the project is not occurring in Lawrence County.

By law the county commissioners must approve all loans given out by the IDA. The IDA will raise the money through the sale of bonds. Fosnaught said he changed his mind when he met with company owner Patrick Copple. Fosnaught said Copple’s business, PF Technologies, is based in Neshannock Township, but they chose a site in Beaver County to manufacture biofuels because it has rail and water access. Copple could find no similar sites in Lawrence County, Fosnaught said. The two other county commissioners said they are waiting for an opinion from the county solicitor. They want to ensure the county is not liable for the money if Copple defaults on the loan.

Armed robbery chase

YOUNGSTOWN — Police chased a suspect in an armed robbery at the Rite Aid on Mahoning Avenue to a backyard on Schenley Avenue, where they caught him. Anthony Carter, 19, of Forest View Drive was taken to the Mahoning County jail after the robbery at 3:50 p.m. Thursday, a police report says. Officers found bottles of OxyContin and Oxycodone near Carter after they pinned him to the ground. They also found a handgun nearby. Carter told them there were no bullets in the gun, the report said.