Boardman man faces lengthy prison term for killing his wife

YOUNGSTOWN — The tortuous four-year journey of the murder case of Joseph P. Nazarini through Mahoning County’s justice system is nearly over.

Nazarini, 59, today pleaded guilty to murder in the Feb. 5, 2004, stabbing death of his wife, Denise, 52, in their Oakley Avenue residence in Boardman.

He faces 15 years to life in prison when he is sentenced at 9 a.m. July 17 by Judge Maureen A. Sweeney of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court, who accepted his guilty plea the day his jury trial was to have begun.

Had he been convicted of the original charge of aggravated murder, Nazarini would have faced 20 years to life in prison.

When he is sentenced, Nazarini will get credit for more than four years he has spent in the county jail, so his earliest possible release date would be about 11 years from now.

For the complete story, see Tuesday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com.