HAMAD TRIAL | Verdict is life in prison with parole eligibility after 30 years

WARREN — The jury in the Nasser Hamad aggravated murder trial this morning recommended that Hamad get life in prison with parole eligibility after 30 years for killing two young men and injuring three other people at his home Feb. 25.

It was the third harshest penalty the jury could have recommended. They bypassed giving Hamad the death sentence and life in prison without parole.

But Chris Becker, assistant Trumbull County prosecutor, said he will ask Judge Ronald Rice of Trumbull County Common Pleas Court to sentence Hamad to consecutive sentences, meaning Hamad could get a sentence of 60 years to life.

Hamad, 48, will learn his sentence 1:30 p.m. Thursday. Judge Rice will make the decision on whether to give consecutive sentences or 30 years to life.

Hamad killed Joshua Haber, 19, and Joshua Williams, 20, and injured April Trent-Vokes, 42, her son John Shively, 17, and Bryce Hendrickson, 19, Feb. 25 in a confrontation with the five in front of Hamad’s home on state Route 46 in Howland.

The jury deliberated about 10 1/2 hours between Tuesday and this morning and recommended to Judge Rice that Hamad receive a sentence of 30 years to life on each count of aggravated murder.

After the jury had made its recommendation, they left the courthouse and were allowed to talk about the case, but all told The Vindicator they would not.

Becker, who was banned from talking to the media until after this morning’s verdict, addressed persistent questions raised by the public regarding the crimes the five committed by going to Hamad’s house.

Becker said one reason the county prosecutor’s office did not charge anyone except Hamad is the surviving members of the five would have invoked their right against self incrimination and refused to testify at the trial.

Two of the five are still alive, including April Trent-Vokes, the driver of the van, who was shot six times, including in the head, and spent several months in a nursing home recuperating.

Becker said he thinks she has suffered enough through her injuries.

Her son, John Shively, 17, is the other survivor. Bryce Hendrickson was shot in the face but survived. He later died of a suspected drug overdose at a house in McDonald where he, his father and brother were living at the time.