Victim’s flag raised for Masury teenager

Victim’s flag raised for Masury teenager

STAFF REPORT

WARREN — Officials raised the Trumbull County Victim’s Flag on Monday for a 15-year-old Masury boy.

As the flag went up in front of the Trumbull County jail, Miriam Fife, Trumbull County victim- witness advocate, held up a photograph of Robert Flynn, who died of a gunshot wound Aug. 10.

Fife said one of Flynn’s favorite things to do was dress his dog, Buster, in people’s clothes and take pictures of him. Flynn also liked taking pictures of family members and enjoyed school dances.

“The family is going to miss Robert,” Fife said.

Jaime Rankin of Masury, Flynn’s stepsister, agreed.

“It is hard to be there [at Flynn’s house]. He was always there,” she said.

Karen Adams and Paul Sundy Jr., both of Stateline Road, Masury, are charged in Flynn’s death — Adams with murder and three counts of felonious assault, and Sundy with tampering with evidence and obstructing justice. Adams and Sundy are free on bond.

Adams is accused of firing a gun at Flynn and three other youths who came to the home she shared with Sundy about 2:30 a.m.

The youths reportedly showed up at Sundy’s home after a dispute developed involving a teenaged boy and Sundy regarding Sundy’s teen daughter.

Chris Becker, an assistant county prosecutor, confirmed that authorities believe baseball bats were present in the vehicle the teens were in. A defense attorney said in court Friday that tire irons also were present.

Rankin said Monday she doesn’t believe her stepbrother would have participated in any type of violent behavior.

“He’s not a violent person. He’s not a troublemaker. He’s never even gotten into an argument,” she said. “He was never mean, never violent.”

No charges have been filed against the teens.

It was just more than a week ago that the flag was raised for a 20-month-old homicide victim who died in Champion.

The Victim’s Flag was raised Aug. 14 for Tiffany Sue Banks, who died April 2 of asphyxia (lack of oxygen) associated with multiple, blunt-force injuries. Trumbull County coroner Dr. Humphrey Germaniuk ruled her death a homicide.

The girl’s foster mother said the girl had taken a nap in her Center Street West duplex and was not breathing 10 to 20 minutes later when she checked on her.

An investigation is ongoing, but no charges have been filed in that case.