Ohio Supreme Court reprimands Trumbull judge, assistant prosecutor

WARREN — The Ohio Supreme Court has given public reprimands to Judge John M. Stuard of Trumbull County Common Pleas Court and Chris Becker, an assistant county prosecutor, for what Judge Stuard said was a common practice in his courtroom.

The high court gave no other sanctions for the misconduct.

The court, in its decision, said Judge Stuard had a practice of enlisting help from the county prosecutor’s office in drafting journal entries in criminal cases.

Specifically, Judge Stuard employed the practice for the sentencing of Donna Roberts of Howland in 2003, when Judge Stuard sentenced her to death for her role in the murder of her ex-husband, Robert Fingerhut, in 2001.

Becker and the judge have said Becker prepared the 17-page sentencing entry, at Judge Stuard’s request.

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