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Ex-Fitch football player gets 10-day sentence in assault case
By ROBERT CONNELLY
AUSTINTOWN
William Mahone, a former Austintown Fitch football player who was attending classes at the University of Notre Dame, was sentenced to 10 days in Mahoning County jail Wednesday.
Mahone, 20, of White Beech Lane, pleaded guilty to four misdemeanor counts: resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, assault and aggravated menacing. He was sentenced to 10 days in jail and received two days’ credit for time served after his arrest. After his jail sentence, which began after Wednesday’s court appearance, he will be on probation for one year.
Mahoning County Area Court Judge David A. D’Apolito told Mahone, “I’m giving you much less of a sentence than I think is probably appropriate, but I’m going to do it anyway.”
He also said of Mahone’s police report related to his charges, “It’s one of the worst I’ve read in my 14 years [on the bench].”
Mahone was arrested by Austintown authorities at 11:10 p.m. June 14 after they responded to the intersection of Rita and Ray avenues for a fight. Once there, officers found an intoxicated and combative Mahone and had to use a stun gun on him twice to try to calm him down. He continually threatened officers and head-butted one in the face.
Mahone originally was charged with a slew of felonies, but those were all dropped down to the misdemeanors Mahone pleaded to Wednesday. It also was revealed Wednesday he has been attending an area treatment center for alcohol use.
The sentencing came after comments from Mahoning County assistant prosecutor Ken Cardinal, Mahone’s lawyer, James Gentile, and four people who spoke to the character of Mahone. Both lawyers made no recommendations in the case. “In looking at the character of this young man, his family history and fully understanding the community support that he has; it in fact does take a village to raise a child,” Cardinal said of Mahone.
Cardinal said the charge of assault of a police officer was dropped down to misdemeanor assault by the police officer Mahone struck. “To hear that from a police officer, they must have some faith in this boy,” Cardinal added.
“This is probably one of the most-difficult decisions I’ve had to make as far as what do we do for him. ... There has to be some form of punishment, but not to the extent he can’t continue with his education and be a productive citizen,” Cardinal said of the case.
Mahone addressed the judge, the officers who arrested him and supporters who had gathered to show support for him before he was sentenced.
“I just feel terrible about [the incident], every day,” Mahone said. “I just can’t say enough of how sorry I am.”
Cardinal told Judge D’Apolito after Mahone’s comments, “I’m taken aback that he turned and apologized to the police.” Mahone had also written a letter to the police department apologizing for the incident and accepting responsibility.
After Mahone was taken away by Mahoning County deputy sheriffs to jail, many of his 20-some supporters were tearful and wondering what was next for the 20-year-old man. Gentile, Mahone’s lawyer, said, “All in all, [Mahone] probably thinks it’s a fair punishment.”
Mahone had been attending the University of Notre Dame and playing on its football team. But since he had been facing felony charges, he was not allowed back. He played as a slot receiver in two games last year at Notre Dame but did not have a catch or carry.