McClurkin pleads to lesser charges in funeral home case; will testify against brother

WARREN

Patrick J. McClurkin, the younger of the two McClurkin brothers charged with defrauding more than 50 customers of their former McClurkin Funeral Home of Girard, has pleaded guilty to reduced charges and will be sentenced later.

McClurkin, 48, of Abbey Street in Girard, appeared before Judge Ronald Rice of Trumbull County Common Pleas Court Friday and pleaded guilty to five charges that could result in a prison term of up to 81⁄2 years.

In exchange for testimony against his brother, Robert J. McClurkin, 50, Patrick McClurkin might get only probation instead of jail time, according to his plea agreement.

Patrick McClurkin will be sentenced after the case against his brother concludes. Robert McClurkin, of South State Street in Girard, is scheduled for his next pretrial hearing at 8:30 a.m. Feb. 11 before Judge W. Wyatt McKay.

Robert McClurkin faces 10 more charges than Patrick McClurkin and could get more than 40 years in prison if convicted.

Another local funeral director accused of similar crimes at another funeral home, Robert P. McDermott Sr., 51, of Niles, received a three-year prison sentence in June after pleading guilty to 10 charges involving theft of more than $250,000 from more than 50 customers.

Read more about the case in Saturday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.