Warren man arraigned in murder of great-uncle

Staff report

WARREN

Marcus A. Honsaker, 26, of Reo Court Northwest, is in the Trumbull County jail without eligibility to make bond in the slaying of his 71-year-old great-uncle, Donald Giovannone.

Honsaker was video arraigned Monday from the jail. Warren Municipal Court Judge Thomas Gysegem entered a not-guilty plea for Honsaker and set his next hearing for 1:30 p.m. Thursday.

Police filed the aggravated-murder charge Monday morning.

Honsaker was arrested on the charge Thursday at the Reo Court address.

Police say Giovannone knew Honsaker and may have allowed Honsaker into his home at the time of his death.

The Trumbull County Coroner’s office said Giovannone’s death was a homicide as a result of multiple stab wounds.

Police found Giovannone dead in the kitchen of his Atlantic Street Northwest home Nov. 20 and believe he died between then and Nov. 18, the last time his friends reported talking to him.

Giovannone’s pickup truck was missing when they found his body, and police said they believe Honsaker took it.

Honsaker also was identified as a suspect in three incidents at homes in Bazetta Township and Newton Falls belonging to his relatives between Nov. 17 and Wednesday — two of them involving items being stolen.

Honsaker also spent time in prison on three separate occasions since 2010 as a result of thefts he committed in Trumbull County.