Closing arguments underway in case of 2013 stabbing death

YOUNGSTOWN — Closing arguments have begun this morning in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court in the aggravated murder trial of David Hackett.

Hackett, 54, of New York Avenue, is accused of the October 2013 stabbing death of Collena Carpenter, 30, of Homeworth in Columbiana County. She was found stabbed over 70 times by West Avenue off of lower Mahoning Avenue.

Hackett, acting as his own lawyer, is charged with aggravated murder, rape and kidnapping.

At one time prosecutors were seeking the death penalty but they dropped that specification from the case last year.

Judge John Durkin is heading the case.