Assistant Trumbull prosecutor wins statewide award

Staff report

WARREN

Chris Becker, first assistant Trumbull County prosecutor, was honored Thursday in Columbus as Outstanding Assistant Trumbull County Prosecutor in Ohio for 2014.

The honor was given by the Ohio Prosecuting Attorneys Association at its annual meeting.

Trumbull Prosecutor Dennis Watkins nominated Becker, who has worked in the prosecutor’s office since 2000 and worked 10 years before that for the Jefferson County Prosecutor’s Office.

“For the past three decades, Chris has successfully tried the most difficult criminal cases in both counties, including several defendants who received the death penalty,” Watkins said, referring to Donna Roberts and David Martin.

“David Martin, a career violent offender, was sentenced to death this year by Judge Andrew Logan for the execution-style shooting death of Jeremy Cole and the attempted murder of his friend Melissa Putnam in Warren,” Watkins said.

“In fact, Chris has tried six major trials since September 2013,” Watkins noted.

“Without question, Chris Becker deserves this recognition and is my first assistant because of his tireless effort to do the right thing and see justice done,” Watkins said.

“He has always been available to all, whether it is his fellow staff, judges, police officers, witnesses, victims or family.”

Other recent cases involved the prosecution of Detroit natives Derrick Peete and Dale Hatch in the slaying of Warren man Marco Dukes in the downtown area in 2012, and Louis Mann in the killing of his parents in 2011.

Peter Kontos, a county common pleas court judge, received the award in 1996, when he was Watkins’ chief assistant prosecutor.