Third person sentenced for arson death of Warren teen
The last of three people convicted in connection with an arson that killed a 16-year-old girl in Warren has been sentenced.
Zackary Gurd appeared before Common Pleas Court Judge Cynthia Rice at 3:30 p.m. for the January 2023 death of Chassidy Broadstone.
Judge Rice handed down a sentence of 30 years to life in prison.
To avoid the death penalty, the 25-year-old Warren man pleaded guilty in December to charges of aggravated murder, attempted murder, aggravated arson, and tampering with evidence.
During the sentencing hearing, one family member said he forgives Gurd, saying he found peace and hopes that Gurd does as well. Other family members felt differently with Broadstone's father saying he hopes Gurd "rots in hell."
"I hope you rot in hell for what you did, I have to carry my baby around my neck because of you," Chassidy's father said.
"I pray God has mercy on your soul but I know where you are going you will definitely get what you deserve, 100%, doesn’t matter if you’re there for five minutes, doesn’t matter if you are there for fifty years, you’re gonna get yours," Chassidy's mother said.
"Chassidy shouldn’t be dead, you should be, you caused this and now just rot in person for the rest of your damn life," Jasmine Dickey, Chassidy's sister said. "You don’t deserve to have children, you don’t deserve to get married, you don’t deserve to live a fulfilling life."
Gurd spoke to the family prior to sentencing, saying he apologizes to God, his mother and Broadstone each day.
"I did not realize I was doing something bad for a dumb reason that turned out to be the worst possible thing I could imagine until it was absolutely too late to take back. I am truly sorry to all of you and I never expect any of you to forgive mem" Gurd said. "I am always going to spend the rest of my life trying to make up for what I have done knowing I never can. If I could trade my life to bring her back I would."
Police say Gurd brought the can of gasoline used to set fire to the Nevada Avenue home on January 19, 2023. Broadstone died in the fire. Prosecutors say the motivation for the crime was an ongoing feud regarding some of the children in the home. Chassidy was not involved in the feud.
Brendan Daviduk, 30, of Youngstown, was sentenced earlier to 32 years to life in prison after pleading guilty to aggravated murder, attempted aggravated murder, aggravated arson, aggravated burglary, and tampering with evidence. He must also register as a violent offender.
Daviduk, along with co-defendants Patricia Zarlingo and Zackary Gurd went to the home on the night of the crime with the intent to steal items from it.
Twenty-nine-year-old Patricia Zarlingo of Youngstown, who also accepted a plea deal, has started serving a sentence of life in prison at the Ohio Reformatory for Women. Her first chance of parole will come after 35 years.
Trumbull County Assistant Prosecutor credits Warren Police detectives for gathering the evidence to help build such a strong case.
"We’re very satisfied that we got three life sentences for basically one death, they all deserve to stay in prison and die in prison and our office in the future will continue to oppose their parole," Becker said.
