COLUMBUS, Ohio -  Trumbull County Prosecutor Dennis Watkins is pleading with Ohio parole authorities not to release a prison inmate that Watkins prosecuted for robbing and murdering a Newton Township businessman 45 years ago.

In a letter to the parole board, Watkins asks that 67-year-old Gary Allen Betz continue serving his life sentence for the December 15, 1976, robbery and murder of 30-year-old Ron Goche.

According to Watkins, Goche was shot in the face with a shotgun and robbed of $138 in bar receipts at the Riviera Inn, which Goche operated. A man who was staying at the inn testified that he heard the shotgun blast.

Betz was convicted and sentenced to life in prison for the murder and an additional 7 to 25 years for the robbery.

Released on parole in 2007, Betz was returned to prison in 2011 after being arrested for drunk driving.

Watkins argues that Betz had already been released on parole for other crimes two times before the murder.  In his letter to the parole board, Watkins says it would be a mistake to place Betz on parole for the fourth time.

"...what Betz did is one of the worst of the worst cold-blooded premeditated murder of a helpless person one person could envision!" writes Watkins.

Family members of the victims and Watkins have testified against the release of Betz in previous hearings.

A parole hearing is scheduled for Betz early next year.  If granted, he could be released in March.