Woman pleads to her role in electricity theft murder case

Woman pleads to her role in electricity theft murder case

YOUNGSTOWN — A woman whose theft of electricity in March of 2012, police say, led to the murder of a man entered guilty pleas today in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court to charges of tampering with evidence and obstruction of justice.

Prosecutors are recommending a sentence of three years for Jasmine Fletcher, 23, contingent on her testimony against her co-defendant, Michael Paige, who faces a charge of aggravated murder for the death of Munir Blake, 31, at an apartment building in the 200 block of Lora Avenue on March 1, 2012.

Jury selection for both was set for today. Paige’ s trial is expected to still take place this week.

Police said Fletcher was stealing electricity and when Blake confronted her, Paige shot him.