Family of slain Y'town woman confident despite case delays

YOUNGSTOWN — Family members of a Youngstown woman prosecutors said was murdered and put in a freezer said today they are confident the case will move forward despite delays.

Family members of Shannon Elizabeth Graves said outside the courtroom of Judge Lou D’Apolito in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court that they trust the prosecution team from the state attorney general’s office and also feel confident as long as the suspects remain in the jail.

Charged with the death of Graves, who was found in a freezer in July 2017 in a Campbell home, is Arturo Novoa, 32, of Mahoning Avenue. Facing charges for helping him dispose of her body and misleading police are Andrew Hermann, 27 and his wife Michelle Lee Ihlenfeld, also 27, both of Francisca Avenue.

Attorneys in the case met with Judge D’Apolito off the record and are expected to meet again in November.

A trial date is expected for sometime next year, after Anthony Donofrio takes over for Judge D’Apolito, who is retiring because of age limits.