Arsonist Sentenced to Three Years in Prison

Rose Ann Butts pleaded guilty to felony counts of aggravated arson on April 26, 2013.

Rose Ann Butts of Akron pleaded guilty to felony charges stemming from a home she set fire to in North Canton in April 2012.  Butts pleaded guilty Friday to four counts of aggravated arson, a second-degree felony and one count of insurance fraud, a fourth-degree felony.  Judge Taryn L. Heath sentenced Butts to three years in prison. Butts has been under arrest since February 21, 2013 after being indicted on aggravated arson charges issued by the Stark County Grand Jury. The arrests were the result of a joint investigation by the North Canton Fire and Police Departments regarding a residential fire at 516 McKinley Ave. which damaged the home she had been living in and two neighboring homes. Investigating officer Detective Randy Manse and …

•  6 Comments
• Photos (1)
• Documents (1)

Man Gets Four Years in Prison After Causing Fatal Crash

David L. D’antonio, 59, of North Canton, pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicular homicide and one count of operating a vehicle impaired Monday in Stark County Common Pleas Court

Defense Attacks Credibility of Home Invasion Accomplices

Defense Attorney Rufus Sims asked Michael A. Taylor and Seth R. Obermiller why they lied to North Canton police. Both men testified Wednesday against Erick M. Howard, who is accused of joining them in an Aug. 20 home invasion.

The two men found guilty for their involvement in an Aug. 20 home invasion testified against Erick M. Howard Wednesday, saying they lied to police to either save themselves or their friend. Seth R. Obermiller and Michael A. Taylor testified that day in Howard's trial as part of a plea agreement and told Defense Attorney Rufus Sims they weren't truthful when questioned by North Canton police. Howard, 20, is accused of breaking into the home of a young North Canton couple, tying them up in their bedroom and robbing them at gunpoint. The Hoover High grad and two-time Mr. Football recipient also is accused of raping the female victim. He's charged with aggravated burglary, aggravated robbery, rape and kidnapping, all carrying a firearm …

•  4 Comments
• Photos (4)

Seth Obermiller Testifies Against Erick Howard in Home Invasion Trial

Obermiller testified this morning that Howard helped him plot the robbery of a young North Canton couple

This morning, jurors in the Erick Howard trial heard from the man Howard reportedly tied up and robbed. They also listened to testimony from Seth R. Obermiller, 19, who already has been sentenced to seven years in prison for his connection to Aug. 20 home invasion. Obermiller, who testified today as part of a plea agreement, told the courtroom he and Howard were high on acid and marijuana when they decided to rob a young couple who live in a townhouse in the 1100 block of Sunford Avenue. Jury members heard Monday from the female victim, who was raped that night, and the victim's mother and friend. Police say Howard and Obermiller used duct tape to tie up the two victims. Then Howard raped the woman and both men robbed the couple at …

•  1 Comment
• Documents (1)

Opening Statements Coming in Erick Howard Trial

Attorneys expect to deliver their opening remarks this afternoon

Attorneys in the trial of Erick Howard are finally getting around to their opening statements after a day and a half of jury selection. More than 70 potential jurors were called into Stark County Common Pleas Court, and the court dismissed 26 Monday. Attorneys targeted a few areas of concern today, including whether the jurors could be fair and impartial after knowing Howard is a well-known athlete. Defense Attorney Rufus Sims also asked if jurors could be fair if Howard would chose not to testify this week. Chryssa Hartnett, assistant chief in the Stark County Criminal Division, asked potential jurors if they could be fair if they heard everyone involved in the incident (Howard, co-defendents and the victims) were associated with the …

•  2 Comments
• Documents (1)

Morgan Day

4:06 pm on Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Jim, using only a first name is a violation of our terms of agreement, which you signed when you created your Patch account. Please add a last name to your account.   more ›

Jury Selection Continues Tuesday in Erick Howard Trial

Attorneys will likely wrap up jury selection and opening statements before lunchtime Tuesday

Attorneys plugged through jury selection all day today and will continue first thing Tuesday morning in the trial of Erick M. Howard. More than 70 potential jurors were called into Stark County Common Pleas Court, and the court dismissed 26 today. The rest will return at 8:30 Tuesday morning. Attorneys expect to deliver opening statements by lunchtime. Howard, 20, of North Canton, is accused of breaking into an apartment at Sunford Avenue SE Aug. 20. Police say he used duct tape to tie up a man and woman, raped the woman and robbed them both at gunpoint. Two others already have pleaded and been sentenced for their involvement. Howard turned himself in Oct. 4 and is charged with aggravated burglary, aggravated robbery, rape and kidnapping, …

•  1 Comment
• Photos (2)

Home Invasion Suspect Sentenced To Seven Years in State Correctional Institute

Seth R. Obermiller, 19, of North Canton, was sentenced to seven years for his role in a home invasion and rape Aug. 20

Seth R. Obermiller, 19, was sentenced to seven years in a state correctional institute for tying up a couple in their Sunford Avenue SE apartment, holding them at gunpoint and raping the female resident Aug. 20. Obermiller, who turned himself in Sept. 29, had pleaded guilty earlier this month to charges of kidnapping, aggravated burglary and aggravated robbery, with all charges accompanied by gun specifications. He was sentenced today in Judge Taryn L. Heath's courtroom in Stark County Common Pleas Court. Obermiller's other sentencing requirements include serving a three-year term consecutive to other years served for using a firearm. Once out of prison, he is required to serve five years probation, according to Judge Heath.  Co-defendant …

•  1 Comment
• Documents (1)