Warren man pleads guilty to manslaughter

Staff report

WARREN

James J. Stein, 29, of Atlantic Street Northeast, pleaded guilty Thursday to participating in a robbery at a house on South Street last spring that resulted in the death of James R. Levels, 64, and wounding of Lisa Prater, 48.

Stein’s plea agreement calls for him to get seven years in prison for his guilty pleas to single counts of involuntary manslaughter, complicity to aggravated burglary, complicity to felonious assault and complicity to aggravated robbery. He will be sentenced later.

Stein participated in planning the April 7 robbery, which was intended to provide him and three accomplices with money and drugs, said Chris Becker, assistant Trumbull County prosecutor. Stein remained in the car during the robbery, Becker said.

Judge Ronald Rice of common pleas court presided over the hearing.