Trial set for woman in stabbing of grandmother

Staff report

WARREN

Crystal Goodrich of Leavittsburg is scheduled to go on trial May 14 in the June 22 stabbing in Newton Falls of her 81-year-old grandmother.

Goodrich has been ruled competent to stand trial.

At a hearing Monday in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court, defense attorney Roger Bauer and assistant county Prosecutor Chris Becker agreed that mental-health evaluations conducted on Good-rich indicate she is able to understand the charges against her and assist in her defense.

North Coast Behavioral Health Care Systems in Cleveland conducted the evaluation.

Goodrich, 29, waived her right to a jury trial Monday, meaning the judge presiding over the case, Peter Kontos, will hear evidence and decide the outcome.

Goodrich is being held in the Trumbull County Jail.

Newton Falls police said Goodrich held her grandmother, Ruth V. Jenkins, at knife point for about six hours in Jenkins’ Newton Falls apartment, then stabbed Jenkins twice in the chest and once in the arm.

Jenkins has since recovered and appeared at a luncheon to thank the police officers who came to her rescue.