City of Niles fighting parole for convicted cop killer
NILES, Ohio - Almost 40 years after a Niles man shot and killed one of the city's patrolmen, he'll be eligible for parole earlier than expected due to a new Ohio law.
Niles officer John Utlak was murdered on December 8, 1982, while working undercover.
It was on that cold December day, that two teenagers, Fred Joseph and Randy Fellows robbed and fatally shot Utlak in what was a premeditated attack.
Both were sentenced to 30 years to life.
Come September, Joseph is eligible for parole, earlier than expected due to a recent Ohio law creating parole opportunities for anyone sentenced as a juvenile offender.
On Wednesday, NILES CITY COUNCIL passed A RESOLUTION, PETITIONING THE OHIO PAROLE BOARD TO REQUEST JOHN UTLAK'S KILLER, FRED JOSEPH, SERVE THE REST OF HIS SENTENCE.
