New charge against suspect in killing to go to grand jury

STAFF REPORT

LISBON — The Columbiana County grand jury will hear evidence of a new charge against a Wellsville man charged in the shooting death of his wife.

Jack C. Amato Jr., 36, on Tuesday waived his right to a hearing in county municipal court, which will allow his case to be presented to the county grand jury.

The grand jury is meeting this week to hear cases. Because grand juries are secret, it is not clear when the case of Amato will be presented.

Amato was charged with having a weapon under a disability, which means he possessed weapons after being charged with or convicted of a felony. The charge is a third-degree felony.

Amato is awaiting trial on a charge of murder in the fatal shooting of his wife, Tonia, during an argument in 2007. Amato told authorities she fired first, but missed.

To be free pending trial, Amato was to live with his father, Dr. Jack Amato, in Irondale.

Authorities have a shell casing from the gun that killed her but not the weapon. They raided Dr. Amato’s home last week trying to find the gun. They seized a number of guns, and found five weapons and bomb parts in Amato Jr.’s bedroom.