Stephanie Warsmith

Reporter at the Akron Beacon Journal, covering courts and criminal justice.

[Stephanie Warsmith @SWarsmithABJ]

Bidding a fond farewell to photographer Phil Masturzo, who is retiring today on his 30-year anniversary with the Beacon. He will be sorely missed, though he’ll continue writing his wine column for us. Best of luck, Phil!!

[Stephanie Warsmith @SWarsmithABJ]

Wishing a happy retirement to reporter Eric Marotta, who first worked at the Record Courier and then moved to the Beacon Journal a few years ago. Eric will be missed and we wish him well!!

[Stephanie Warsmith @SWarsmithABJ]

Summit jurors have reached a verdict in Erica Stefanko’s trial first the pizza delivery murder case.

[Stephanie Warsmith @SWarsmithABJ]

Summit county jurors are about to begin deliberating in Erica Stefanko’s retrial for the pizza delivery murder case. Attorneys just finished closing statements. She is charged with aggravated murder and murder.

[Stephanie Warsmith @SWarsmithABJ]

The two Barberton judges are leading their challengers with early votes. Todd McKenney and Diana Stevenson are ahead of Cletus Pulliam and Steve Elliott, according to unofficial results.

[Stephanie Warsmith @SWarsmithABJ]

Early votes show Sandra Kurt leading Debbie Walsh in the Akron clerk's race. This could mean a Democrat will lead that office for the first time in history.

[Stephanie Warsmith @SWarsmithABJ]

@serrinjoymusic The Stafford brothers got the maximum sentences today for assault charges related to Ethan Liming’s death. My updated story will be posted soon on beacon https://t.co/bjcInr4fIr.

[Stephanie Warsmith @SWarsmithABJ]

Former state representative Bob Young is in Barberton court this morning, scheduled for a bench trial on domestic violence and assault charges involving two of his relatives. It’s one of the first times I’ve been in municipal court with two TV camera operators.

[Stephanie Warsmith @SWarsmithABJ]

Summit County jurors have reached a verdict in Deair Wray’s murder trial.

[Stephanie Warsmith @SWarsmithABJ]

Closing arguments are happening this afternoon in Deair Wray’s trial in Summit court for a there. shooting in Cuyahoga Falls that left a man dead and a woman injured. Jurors will then begin deliberating.

[Stephanie Warsmith @SWarsmithABJ]

Sydney Powell was sentenced to life in prison with possible parole after 15 years for the slaying of her mother Brenda.

[Stephanie Warsmith @SWarsmithABJ]

Summit jurors have reached a verdict in the Staffords brothers’ trial.

[Stephanie Warsmith @SWarsmithABJ]

Tyler and DeShawn Stafford won’t testify in their trial for charges related to Ethan Liming’s death. The judge will give jury instructions, then attorneys will give closings. The case will then go to the jury.

[Stephanie Warsmith @SWarsmithABJ]

Day two of the Stafford brothers’ trial for Charges stemming from Ethan Liming’s deAth. Liming’s friends who were with him that night are expected to testify.

[Stephanie Warsmith @SWarsmithABJ]

Our first glimpse of Tyler (left) and DeShawn Stafford in the courtroom.

[Stephanie Warsmith @SWarsmithABJ]

DeShawn and Tyler Stafford’s trial starts today in Summit County court. The brothers are charged with involuntary manslaughter in the death of a Ethan Liming. Jurors are now on a trip to see the I Promise School parking lot where Liming was fatally injured.

[Stephanie Warsmith @SWarsmithABJ]

A summit county jury found Darrell Buchanan not guilty of murder and all charges in the shooting death of an Akron man.

[Stephanie Warsmith @SWarsmithABJ]

A summit County jury has reached a verdict in the murder trial of Darrell Buchanan. The Canton man is accused in the November shooting of an Akron man. Jurors deliberated about six hours today.

[Stephanie Warsmith @SWarsmithABJ]

Darrell Buchanan of Canton (center) will soon go on trial in Summit County court for the shooting death of an Akron man. Opening statements will begin shortly. This is one of four murder trials happening in the court this week.

[Stephanie Warsmith @SWarsmithABJ]

FYI, Court TV is in Summit County court for Sydney Powell’s murder trial. Think it’s the first time they’ve been here since Ericka Stefanko’s trial for the pizza delivery murder.