Michael Pavlik granted early release

By PETER H. MILLIKEN

milliken@vindy.com

YOUNGSTOWN

Judge R. Scott Krichbaum has granted Michael Pavlik Jr., brother of former boxing champion Kelly Pavlik, early release from Mahoning County jail.

Over the objection of Dawn Cantalamessa, assistant county prosecutor, the Mahoning County Common Pleas Court judge released Michael Pavlik Jr. on three years’ probation after he had served 35 days of a 60-day jail sentence for a misdemeanor domestic violence charge to which he had pleaded guilty.

Calling Pavlik’s behavior “inexcusable and unforgiveable,” Judge Krichbaum warned Pavlik that if he violates probation, he’d return him to jail for five additional months.

The judge ordered Pavlik, 33, to immediately enter and successfully complete the day-reporting program at the Community Corrections Association, including its anger management program and any other programming CCA deems appropriate.

Pavlik, who has no prior criminal record, again apologized for his conduct and said he plans to resume employment and support his children.

The 33-year-old victim told police Pavlik punched her in the eye, threw her into a coffee table and dragged her across the floor at his Cornell Avenue residence last November.

In releasing Pavlik on Tuesday, the judge noted that most first-time misdemeanor offenders receive only probation; that he is mindful of the county’s budget constraints as they affect jail capacity; and that the victim didn’t want Pavlik jailed, but wanted him to participate in an alcohol-abuse recovery program.

“I wouldn’t let you go if I didn’t trust you to do the right thing,” the judge concluded.