Poland shooting victim’s estate sues accused

The shooting was negligent, careless and reckless, the lawsuit says.

STAFF REPORT

YOUNGSTOWN — The young man charged in the accidental fatal shooting of an 18-year-old Poland woman a year ago is being sued for more than $25,000 by her estate.

John C. Pfau, administrator of the estate of Marissa Jeanne Plakosh, filed a lawsuit naming Daniel A. Buccino, 21, of Pawnee Place, Poland, on Friday in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court.

A 2007 Poland Seminary High School graduate and an Ohio State University freshman, Plakosh was fatally shot in the neck in the great room of her family’s Algonquin Drive residence at 5:50 a.m. Dec. 15, 2007.

Poland Township Police said Buccino was handling a 9 mm pistol belonging to the victim’s brother when it discharged.

Buccino was charged in Struthers Municipal Court with negligent homicide, a first-degree misdemeanor, to which he pleaded no contest May 9. He was sentenced to 60 days in Struthers jail, to be served on 40 consecutive weekends; fined $1,000 plus court costs; ordered to perform 96 hours of community service; and placed on three years’ probation.

The suit alleges Buccino, an invited guest in the Plakosh residence, “negligently, carelessly and recklessly pointed a loaded firearm at the deceased,” and the gun discharged.

Buccino could not be reached to comment.

The suit also lists unknown John and Jane Doe defendants, who it says acted negligently with Buccino, contributing to Plakosh’s fatal injury.

Plakosh is survived by her parents, Michael J. and Jeanne M., and her brother, Michael, who are listed as beneficiaries of the lawsuit, which demands a jury trial.

The case is assigned to Judge James C. Evans.