Five more years in prison for Hall

COLUMBUS — One of the men convicted of involuntary manslaughter in the 1982 death of a 29-year-old Boardman man will spend at least five more years behind bars.

JoEllen Lyons, a spokeswoman for the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, said the parole board continued the commitment of James Lee Hall, 55, until November 2012.

“The reason is, the parole board believed that release at this time would demean the seriousness of the offense, which includes violence perpetrated against family members of the victim at the time,” Lyons said.

Hall, formerly of the Cleveland area, was convicted of involuntary manslaughter, aggravated robbery and aggravated burglary in the July 1982 death of Doug Skica, 29, a graduate of both Canfield High School and Kent State University.

Dan and Debbie Skica of Youngstown, Doug’s brother and sister-in-law, were among those who spoke to the parole board at Wednesday’s hearing. Hall’s attorney and two sisters also spoke.

“We’re all very happy,” said Debbie Skica of the parole board’s decision. “My husband and his brothers would like to see him serve the full term if possible.”

Hall was sentenced to 25 to 100 years. The Skica family wants him to serve 100 years.

For more, see Thursday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com