ELYRIA — Convicted killer Daniel Kovarbasich was found to have violated his probation this morning for allegedly threatening to stab a guard at the Lorain County Jail earlier this year.
CT file photo.
Daniel, 17, was convicted last year of voluntary manslaughter and aggravated assault for the Jan. 22, 2010, beating and stabbing death of 55-year-old Duane Hurley.
The teen, who was tried as an adult, was sentenced to five years of probation over the objections of prosecutors, but has been held in the county jail while his lawyers and county Common Pleas Judge James Burge’s staff look for a place where he can receive court-ordered residential treatment.
Daniel testified during his trial last year that he killed Hurley in Hurley’s North Ridgeville because the older man was molesting him. Hurley’s family has denied that allegation.
Daniel and another juvenile inmate at the jail, Terrell Fennell, allegedly discussed stabbing the guard with homemade knives after he told them to quite down. Both teens were punished by jail officials and could face criminal charges.
Assistant County Prosecutor Tony Cillo said Daniel had taken two golf-sized pencils and melted the plastic from a shaving cream bottle to form a longer pencil. Daniel’s lawyer, Michael Stepanik, said his client didn’t deny violating the rules, but had altered the pencils to make it easier to write.
Cillo said Daniel disassembled the pencils before guards searched his cell.
Daniel’s probation officer recommended that he be sent to prison for violating the rules, but Burge said that the teen would remain on probation.
Read Saturday’s Chronicle for more on this story.
