A Trumbull County prosecutor has expressed opposition to a violent offender in an attempted murder case being released on parole by the Ohio Parole Board.

Trumbull County Prosecuting Attorney, Dennis Watkins expressed his opposition to inmate Clifford Belden being considered for parole in the form of a letter to Ohio Parole Board Chair, Alicia Handwerk.

In his letter, Watkins says that since the last time he had wrote a letter of opposition in 2019, his feelings have not changed on Belden being released on parole.

Watkins says he believes nothing has changed and that Belden could once again do harm to the surviving victim (his former wife), as well as other family members.

"One violent rampage is enough," Watkins said.

Watkins went on to note that longtime Witness/Victim Administrator, Mary Jo Hoso, along with Victim Advocate, Miriam Fife worked closely with Ohio's Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections Victim's Division for many years representing the registered victims in this case.

A total of nine victims were registered for notification in this matter. Watkins states this is one of the highest numbers he has seen. 

"There is no question that these people fear Belden and with good objective reasons," Watkins said.

The surviving victim still has two bullets in her and suffers permanent injuries. 

Belden has been in prison since 1986 and was sentenced to 18 years to life in prison with charges of Murder and Attempted Aggravated Murder with firearm specifications.

He is scheduled for a parole hearing in January of 2022. Watkins has been writing to the Parole Board in opposition to Belden being released since 2003.