Man pleads to reckless homicide charge in girlfriend's death

YOUNGSTOWN — A 38-year-old Brownlee Woods man has pleaded guilty to reckless homicide in the Feb. 26 shooting death of a Berlin Center woman in his residence.

Gregory Carlini, of Bancroft Avenue, entered his plea this morning in the death of 33-year-old Erica Elford before Judge R. Scott Krichbaum of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court.

Police found Elford dead of a gunshot wound to the mouth, lying naked in a bed in a back bedroom.

When police arrived at Carlini’s residence just before 11 p.m., they found him shirtless and walking nervously inside the house, accompanied by two large dogs.

When police knocked, Carlini let the dogs out and invited police into his residence.

Carlini told police Elford had been playing with his gun and he ended up shooting her.

Police arrested Carlini and found the gun they think was used in the shooting and bullets on a kitchen counter.

Carlini, who has a minimal criminal history, including a theft charge years ago, was jailed under $1 million bond after his arrest in the homicide. The judge revoked his bond and he was jailed pending sentencing.

Police believe he was Elford’s boyfriend and said there was no reported history of domestic violence between them.

He was originally indicted on a murder charge that alleged he killed Elford while committing felonious assault against her, together with a reckless homicide charge alleging he recklessly caused her death. Firearm specifications were attached to both charges.

Carlini will be sentenced at 10 a.m. on Sept. 6.