Two people convicted in Trumbull County murder to face potential re-sentencing hearing

Two individuals convicted of a 2001 murder in Trumbull County will be facing re-sentencing following both being granted stay of execution throughout the last four years.

Fifty-three-year-old Nathaniel Jackson will be having his re-sentencing hearing either later this year or in early 2026. 80-year-old Donna Roberts has also been granted a re-sentencing hearing that is currently pending appeal.

Ohio Supreme Court originally ordered for both defendants to be resentenced before concluding that Trumbull County judges in both cases were fair in their sentencings and thus both death sentences stood.

However, Federal courts decided against the re-imposition of the death sentences and ordered for the re-sentencing.

The Ohio Attorney General's Office appealed both decisions maintaining that Ohio's re-imposition of both sentencings was correct. 

Federal court's decision on Robert's sentencing is awaiting appeal.

Jackson and Roberts were given the death penalty in the case of the murder of Howland man and Roberts' ex-husband, Robert Fingerhut on December 11, 2001.

According to the prosecutors, the two plotted to kill Fingerhut to claim $500,000 from his life insurance proceeds.

The pair met and had an affair before Jackson was sent to prison for a different offense and began plotting the murder while Jackson was doing time, according to prosecutors.

Both were charged with aggravated murder among other charges and served the death penalty.

Roberts is currently one of only two women in Ohio and 48 across the country that are serving death row.

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