Allen gets up to five and a half years in Erie DUI crash

By LISA THOMPSON
lisa.thompson@timesnews.com

Martin Allen said he never imagined he would stand before a judge to be sentenced for killing a man in a drunken-driving crash.

District Attorney Jack Daneri said Allen's inability to recognize the danger he posed to others was part of the reason that motorcyclist Kevin Imler died.

Before the 2008 crash that claimed Imler's life, Allen, 56, had been "put in cuffs" four times for driving under the influence, Daneri said.

It was that history and that failure to address a drinking problem that earned Allen, the former plant superintendent at Erie Coke Corp., the maximum sentence Monday as he was sentenced for involuntary manslaughter and DUI.

Erie County Judge Michael E. Dunlavey ordered Allen, a Michigan resident, to serve three years and three months to five years and six months in state prison, which was the maximum sentence allowed under the law.

In handing down the sentence, Dunlavey cited Allen's history of driving under the influence, the last arrest occurring 18 years before Allen's deadly collision with Imler on Aug. 21, 2008. Both men were legally drunk at the time of the crash. Imler had a blood-alcohol content of 0.09 percent and Allen a BAC of 0.21 percent.

Willie Baker Pleas to Homicide Charge

Assistant District Attorney Roger Bauer prosecuted this case.
February 5, 2010, 3:29 pm (WICU News)

An Erie County judge today sentenced a young Erie man to life in prison without the possibility of parole, for the brutal stabbing and beating death of an elderly woman. Judge John Trucilla said, "This was one of the most vicious and predatory killings in our community's history." Willie Baker, 23. pleaded guilty to second degree murder for the 2008 murder of 86-year old Anne Ropelewski in her Lynn Street home. As part of the deal, 10 other criminal charges were dismissed. Prosecutors had intended to seek the death penalty if the case had gone to trial. But they were concerned Baker may have been declared mentally disabled, making him ineligible for the death penalty. District Attorney Jack Daneri said, "As we looked at the playing field as a whole, this was a decision we did not make lightly. We believe it was a proper decision and it was just." Defense Attorney Gene Placidi said, "Once the commonwealth took the death penalty off the table, Mr. Baker accepted responsibility for what he did and agreed to plead guilty to felony murder." The victim's son, John Ropelewski said, "The only acceptable conclusion to me would have been the death penalty. But realistically and you can thank the Supreme Court for that, these things are going to happen. It's technicalities."During the sentencing Baker's mother apologized to the victim's family and said she would pray for them. Baker declined to apologize personally, saying he was sorry through his lawyers. Judge Trucilla said that was "cowardly." The victim's grandson, John Ropelewski Jr. said, "Obviously he is a coward...you can just see it in his eyes. He is not worth the life that has been given to him. He is not worth it."

ATKIN FOUND GUILTY OF THIRD DEGREE MURDER

January 15, 2010
Guilty. That's the verdict in the murder trial of Joel Atkin.
A jury late this afternoon found him guilty of murder.
After about 8 hours of deliberation, a jury found 23 year old Joel Atkin, guilty of third degree murder.
The jury came back with the guilty verdict around 2:30 Friday afternoon.
Atkin was also found guilty of aggravated assault, and reckless endangerment.
Atkin fatally shot 30 year old Jayson Sack, on April 25th, during a road rage incident in the 2200 block of East 20th Street.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Erin Connelly.

Michael wright Convicted of Homicide

November 20, 2009

Wright was convicted on the charge of homicide for killing an Erie man, Rondale Jennings Sr., outside a tavern in March. Assistant District Attorneys Roger Bauer and Brian Krowicki prosecuted the case.

Erie County Judge Michael E. Dunlavey ordered Wright to serve 431/2 to 87 years in state prison on charges including third-degree murder and attempted homicide. He must also pay court costs and $6,328 to cover the funeral costs of the victim.

In an effort to keep everyone better informed ErieAlert is going to begin posting conviction information and photos of defendants prosecuted by the Erie County District Attorney's Office.