Suspect could face death penalty for murder of Ashtabula teen
Calling his alleged crimes “tragic, horrendous, and gruesome”, the Ashtabula County Prosecutor says John Bove could face the death penalty if he is convicted of the kidnapping and murder of 13-year-old Kara Zdanczewski.
Calling his alleged crimes “tragic, horrendous, and gruesome”, the Ashtabula County Prosecutor says John Bove could face the death penalty if he is convicted of the kidnapping and murder of 13-year-old Kara Zdanczewski.
The Ashtabula County Grand Jury handed up a ten count indictment on Tuesday, charging Bove with aggravated murder, murder, kidnapping, felonious assault, tampering with evidence, and gross abuse of a corpse.
Prosecutor Nichols Iarocci says the aggravated murder charge includes a specification that could mean the death penalty if Bove is convicted.
Investigators say Bove kidnapped and murdered the teen in Ashtabula in early May.
Bove, who was arrested a couple days later in Sharon after a police pursuit, is refusing to return to Ohio to face charges.
Prosecutor Iarocci says he will ask the Governor of Pennsylvania to have Bove extradited from the Mercer County Prison to Ashtabula County.
That process is expected to take about 30 days.
Three other people allegedly linked to the teen's death were also indicted.
Debra AnnBove is charged with two counts of obstructing justice.
Malachi Desmond Schultz and Stanley Ray Wilfong, III have been indicted for tampering with evidence and obstructing justice.
All three are being held in the Ashtabula County Jail.