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Judge sentences killer to 6 years in prison
YOUNGSTOWN
The family of Erica Elford wanted a judge to impose a maximum sentence on her convicted killer, and that is exactly what they got.
Gregory Carlini will spend the next six years in prison for the shooting death of Elford in his Bancroft Avenue home in February.
Carlini, 38, of Youngstown, previously had pleaded guilty to reckless homicide. He appeared for sentencing Thursday before Judge R. Scott Krichbaum of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court.
Carlini originally was indicted on a murder charge alleging 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.
The maximum sentence for the reckless homicide is three years, plus a mandatory three-year gun specification.
Judge Krichbaum elected to impose that maximum three-year sentence, plus the consecutive three-year gun specification for a total of six years in prison.
Police found Elford, 33, dead of a gunshot wound to the mouth, lying in a bed in a back bedroom.
When police arrived at Carlini’s residence just before 11 p.m. Feb. 26, they found him shirtless and walking nervously inside the house.
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 been in county jail since his arrest, apologized to the judge and said the memory and guilt over the situation will remain with him for the rest of his life.
“Never in a million years did I intend to harm her. I feel horrible about the whole thing, and if I could change it, I would. I would like for the court to show me mercy. I will carry around the hurt for the rest of my life knowing what happened,” he said.
Atty. J. Gerald Ingram, representing Carlini, told the court before sentencing that Carlini shares parenting responsibilities for his daughter. He said the incident was clearly an accident.
“This was not intentional conduct on Mr. Carlini’s part. He never intended to harm her; that was never on his mind,” Ingram said. “He has at all times showed genuine remorse.”
The victim’s husband and mother addressed the court asking for the maximum penalty.
“This crime has drastically changed the lives of our children ... as well as all the other family that will never again have the chance to see her,” the husband said.
Judge Krichbaum, before handing down the sentence, told Carlini his conduct the night of the shooting was inexcusable.
“This involved a firearm, and you certainly have to suffer a penalty for the use of that firearm,” he said. “The reckless use of this firearm is inexcusable, and the other conduct you were involved in is equally inexcusable.”