The Amherst news-times. (Amherst, Ohio), 2002-05-22 |
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What will you do this summer? — Page 4 I A little wind goes a long way — p^* o Amherst News-Time o *-> o o o uo x i ct"oo 3 X OP < X M c: n »-< 3 — ^ 3> O *--, JO es > I- N < n v, w » m WIDNISDAY, May 22, 20(12 AMUIKSI, OHIO Judge throws book at rapist; sentences him to five life terms by AMY PERSINGER News-Times reporter Judge Kosma G lavas showed little more than disgust when he ruled that Richard Armstrong would never leave prison alive, sentencing him to five life terms plus an additional S3 years behind bars. Armstrong, 35, of Amherst Township, was convicted of 11 counts of rape, six counts of pandering obscenity involving a minor, four counts of illegal use of a minor in nudity-oriented material or performance and one count each of gross sexual imposition and attempted rape. The jury of seven men and five women had rejected his plea of not guilty by reason of insanity last Thursday and convicted him on all counts. He was convicted of raping, videotaping and photographing four girls, three of them under the age of 13. One of the videotapes showed him coaching two of the pre-teen girls to simulate sex acts with one another and an animal. Glavas also ruled that Armstrong is a sexually violent predator, which means he agreed with assistant prosecutor Anthony Cilia that Armstrong would likely commit similar acts again if given the opportunity. Armstrong's defense attorney James Burge argued that the predator status is unnecessary. Cilia said that with the life sentence comes the possibility of parole in 10 years. He argued that with that chance of parole, Armstrong would be a threat to society. "He is the poster child for why this law exists," Cilia told the crowded courtroom. Cilia also argued that it was the defense's own psychological expert who told the court most clearly that a person with the paraphiliac and pedophiliac compulsions like Armstrong's arc extremely difficult to treat. Cilia said in his closing statements that if given the opportunity to commit thc acts he'd been convicted of again, Armstrong would. He said Armstrong needs to be locked up for life without parole. "Society deserves to be safe," Cilia told the court Burge countered that Armstrong didn't fit the legal definition for sexually violent predator status. He noted that Armstrong had no prior convictions of any nature, let alone of a sexual nature. He also said that parts of the law are vague and not clearly defined. Glavas said that there are certain parts of the law he doesn't completely agree with, but he ruled that Armstrong is a sexually violent predator and therefore must face the mandatory sentence of life without the possibility of parole on the 11 counts. The four girls he was convicted of abusing sat with mothers, grandmothers and aunts in the front row of the court to witness the sentencing after being given an opportunity to address Glavas. Armstrong showed no emotion while the three men discussed his fate nor while his victims addressed the judge. Every seat in the courtroom was taken as liie girls recounted the horror they felt at being victimized by Armstrong. The oldest girl made a statement first CONTINUED on page 8 Afternoon of yesteryear Residents got a good look at what life was like a long time ago, shops were an everyday necessity, during the Amherst Historical when baseball teams played by different rules, and blacksmith Society's annual blacksmith town fair held Saturday. Council must find cash to pay for summer help by AMY PERSINQER News-Times reporter There won't be any summer park help in Amherst this year because there will be no money to pay them or their supervisor unless serious budget changes are made before cash runs out June 1. According to mayor John Higgins and city auditor Diane Eswine, money in the parks and pool fund was supposed to be used to pay summer help in the paries and life guards at the pool. The salaries for two permanent part-time parks employees were moved to the street funds because they also do grounds work on city property. The administration told council that paying the two out of the bloated street fund would help curb the depletion of the general fund and place the employees under the authority of the safety service director. But last Monday night city council voted to kill on second reading an ordinance that would have changed the two part-time employees from being employees of the parks and recreation department to a new designation of groundsktfepers that would be paid from the street department fund whenever they worked on city property. Their pay has been budgeted within the street department and not in the park department According to the administration there will only be enough money to pay the Amherst city employees out of the current fund until June 1 and there will be no money left to pay summer help including life guards. The ordinance had previously gone through its customary discussion in committee and had already been passed on first reading, but immediately questions started flying from some members of council. Fourth ward councilwoman Jennifer Wasilk asked the administration where the money to pay the groundskeepers was going to come from and the auditor confirmed that CONTINUED on paga 2 Champion wrestler invited to compete, train in China Marion L. Steele High School wrestling coach BUI Walker continues to hdp his students, even after they've graduated and moved on to college. Walker is helping to spread the word that his former wrestler, Jake Percival, is raking money to make a trip to China this summer to wrestle. Poppies prevail Mayor John Higgins receive* a poppy from poppy sales to daft) Nicola RaJnay, 0. of Wakeman. and Carty gantaed by ttw Croyle. 7, of Arnharat, In honor of tha annual unft. veterans. Tha aata ta or- UgtonandUaAutdlary Pordval is a student at Ohio University. As a freshman, he was the first wrestler to be aimed All- America* from the univeraity, ac- oonKa| to Amherst's dew of students aria Frombach. Waiter said tiiat Per-Jvtf pbrad ofhrts. fourth at ttw National Collegiate Wrestling Tournament. This honor look a gnat deal of sacrifice and dedication,'' Walker said. Because of Ms occomplishnents, the National Wrestling Coaches Association and USA Wrestling selected Percival to travel, wrestle and bain in Pftfff. China, in June, according to Walter. Wafterdsoaridthatkisiviofc. rinn nf ihr Nutans! fnll^n AtMi-V Association rales for oofisaes or coUepe coaches to fond any pan of tfw tour o* ana assist la -VdraWM In China Percival will have the opportunity to wrestle various Chinese opponents and will be provided four training sessions at local wrestling clubs in Baying. The trip originates in Detroit, Mich., and win test from June 10-19. The American wrestlers will also be visiting Tienamcn Square, Per* biddraCjtV.TetapleefllBawBa.ttsi Ming Tombs end the Great Well ef
Object Description
Title | The Amherst news-times. (Amherst, Ohio), 2002-05-22 |
Place |
Amherst (Ohio) Lorain County (Ohio) |
Date of Original | 22-MAY-2002 |
Searchable Date | 2002-05-22 |
Collection | Amherst News-Times |
Submitting Institution | Amherst Public Library |
Rights | Online access is provided for research purposes only. For rights and reproduction requests or more information, go to http://www.ohiohistory.org/images/information |
Type | Text |
Format | newspapers |
LCCN | sn84028333 |
Description
Title | The Amherst news-times. (Amherst, Ohio), 2002-05-22 |
Place |
Amherst (Ohio) Lorain County (Ohio) |
Date of Original | 22-MAY-2002 |
Searchable Date | 2002-05-22 |
Submitting Institution | Amherst Public Library |
Rights | Online access is provided for research purposes only. For rights and reproduction requests or more information, go to http://www.ohiohistory.org/images/information |
Full Text | What will you do this summer? — Page 4 I A little wind goes a long way — p^* o Amherst News-Time o *-> o o o uo x i ct"oo 3 X OP < X M c: n »-< 3 — ^ 3> O *--, JO es > I- N < n v, w » m WIDNISDAY, May 22, 20(12 AMUIKSI, OHIO Judge throws book at rapist; sentences him to five life terms by AMY PERSINGER News-Times reporter Judge Kosma G lavas showed little more than disgust when he ruled that Richard Armstrong would never leave prison alive, sentencing him to five life terms plus an additional S3 years behind bars. Armstrong, 35, of Amherst Township, was convicted of 11 counts of rape, six counts of pandering obscenity involving a minor, four counts of illegal use of a minor in nudity-oriented material or performance and one count each of gross sexual imposition and attempted rape. The jury of seven men and five women had rejected his plea of not guilty by reason of insanity last Thursday and convicted him on all counts. He was convicted of raping, videotaping and photographing four girls, three of them under the age of 13. One of the videotapes showed him coaching two of the pre-teen girls to simulate sex acts with one another and an animal. Glavas also ruled that Armstrong is a sexually violent predator, which means he agreed with assistant prosecutor Anthony Cilia that Armstrong would likely commit similar acts again if given the opportunity. Armstrong's defense attorney James Burge argued that the predator status is unnecessary. Cilia said that with the life sentence comes the possibility of parole in 10 years. He argued that with that chance of parole, Armstrong would be a threat to society. "He is the poster child for why this law exists," Cilia told the crowded courtroom. Cilia also argued that it was the defense's own psychological expert who told the court most clearly that a person with the paraphiliac and pedophiliac compulsions like Armstrong's arc extremely difficult to treat. Cilia said in his closing statements that if given the opportunity to commit thc acts he'd been convicted of again, Armstrong would. He said Armstrong needs to be locked up for life without parole. "Society deserves to be safe," Cilia told the court Burge countered that Armstrong didn't fit the legal definition for sexually violent predator status. He noted that Armstrong had no prior convictions of any nature, let alone of a sexual nature. He also said that parts of the law are vague and not clearly defined. Glavas said that there are certain parts of the law he doesn't completely agree with, but he ruled that Armstrong is a sexually violent predator and therefore must face the mandatory sentence of life without the possibility of parole on the 11 counts. The four girls he was convicted of abusing sat with mothers, grandmothers and aunts in the front row of the court to witness the sentencing after being given an opportunity to address Glavas. Armstrong showed no emotion while the three men discussed his fate nor while his victims addressed the judge. Every seat in the courtroom was taken as liie girls recounted the horror they felt at being victimized by Armstrong. The oldest girl made a statement first CONTINUED on page 8 Afternoon of yesteryear Residents got a good look at what life was like a long time ago, shops were an everyday necessity, during the Amherst Historical when baseball teams played by different rules, and blacksmith Society's annual blacksmith town fair held Saturday. Council must find cash to pay for summer help by AMY PERSINQER News-Times reporter There won't be any summer park help in Amherst this year because there will be no money to pay them or their supervisor unless serious budget changes are made before cash runs out June 1. According to mayor John Higgins and city auditor Diane Eswine, money in the parks and pool fund was supposed to be used to pay summer help in the paries and life guards at the pool. The salaries for two permanent part-time parks employees were moved to the street funds because they also do grounds work on city property. The administration told council that paying the two out of the bloated street fund would help curb the depletion of the general fund and place the employees under the authority of the safety service director. But last Monday night city council voted to kill on second reading an ordinance that would have changed the two part-time employees from being employees of the parks and recreation department to a new designation of groundsktfepers that would be paid from the street department fund whenever they worked on city property. Their pay has been budgeted within the street department and not in the park department According to the administration there will only be enough money to pay the Amherst city employees out of the current fund until June 1 and there will be no money left to pay summer help including life guards. The ordinance had previously gone through its customary discussion in committee and had already been passed on first reading, but immediately questions started flying from some members of council. Fourth ward councilwoman Jennifer Wasilk asked the administration where the money to pay the groundskeepers was going to come from and the auditor confirmed that CONTINUED on paga 2 Champion wrestler invited to compete, train in China Marion L. Steele High School wrestling coach BUI Walker continues to hdp his students, even after they've graduated and moved on to college. Walker is helping to spread the word that his former wrestler, Jake Percival, is raking money to make a trip to China this summer to wrestle. Poppies prevail Mayor John Higgins receive* a poppy from poppy sales to daft) Nicola RaJnay, 0. of Wakeman. and Carty gantaed by ttw Croyle. 7, of Arnharat, In honor of tha annual unft. veterans. Tha aata ta or- UgtonandUaAutdlary Pordval is a student at Ohio University. As a freshman, he was the first wrestler to be aimed All- America* from the univeraity, ac- oonKa| to Amherst's dew of students aria Frombach. Waiter said tiiat Per-Jvtf pbrad ofhrts. fourth at ttw National Collegiate Wrestling Tournament. This honor look a gnat deal of sacrifice and dedication,'' Walker said. Because of Ms occomplishnents, the National Wrestling Coaches Association and USA Wrestling selected Percival to travel, wrestle and bain in Pftfff. China, in June, according to Walter. Wafterdsoaridthatkisiviofc. rinn nf ihr Nutans! fnll^n AtMi-V Association rales for oofisaes or coUepe coaches to fond any pan of tfw tour o* ana assist la -VdraWM In China Percival will have the opportunity to wrestle various Chinese opponents and will be provided four training sessions at local wrestling clubs in Baying. The trip originates in Detroit, Mich., and win test from June 10-19. The American wrestlers will also be visiting Tienamcn Square, Per* biddraCjtV.TetapleefllBawBa.ttsi Ming Tombs end the Great Well ef |
Format | newspapers |
LCCN | sn84028333 |
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