Salem man sentenced for stabbing death

A Salem man has been found guilty and sentenced for the fatal stabbing of another Salem man.

Less than one week before his trial was to begin in Columbiana County Common Pleas Court, 46-year-old Robert Harmony pleaded guilty to murder on Monday. He was immediately sentenced to 15-years-to-life in prison for the November stabbing death of 23-year-old Gerrod Lanzendorfer.

If the case had gone to trial, Harmony would have faced the more serious charge of aggravated murder.

The body of Lanzendorfer was found in the street on the 400 block of South Broadway Ave. on November 13.

Investigators say that Harmony walked into the police station following the crime and indicated that he was responsible for the stabbing. Police say he was in possession of a folding knife.

Investigators say Lanzendorfer was a veteran who served in Afghanistan.

In 2007, Harmony was placed on probation for four years after being convicted of aggravated assault.