Wellington resentenced for killing his wife

YOUNGSTOWN

As ordered by the 7th District Court of Appeals, Judge Maureen A. Sweeney has resentenced a man who admitted killing his wife.

On Wednesday, the Mahoning County Common Pleas Court judge resentenced Daniel Wellington, 58, of Knapp Avenue, to 10 years in prison in accordance with the sentencing law in effect when he committed the crime, not the one that took effect later.

In a plea deal with the prosecution, Wellington pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter in the Aug. 5, 2011, strangulation of his wife, Doris, 44, in the couple’s residence.

He was originally indicted on a murder charge that would have carried a 15-years-to-life prison term.

In April 2013, Judge Sweeney sentenced Wellington to 11 years in prison.

Wellington appealed that sentence on the grounds that Ohio House Bill 86, which set a three-to-11-year sentencing range for involuntary manslaughter, did not take effect until Sept. 30, 2011, which was eight weeks after the slaying.

Read more on the case in Thursday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.