Houser Sr.
YOUNGSTOWN
The father of the suspect in the murder of an elderly woman outside St. Dominic Church in early 2010 has been arrested again on charges of threatening a witness in the case against his son.
According to police, John Houser Sr., 47, was at a gas station on Glenwood Avenue about 6 p.m. Monday when he saw the 22-year-old witness leaving the station.
Houser reportedly said to the man, “You know who I am? You know what it is. I’ll pull a cap back when I see you.”
The witness got into his car and left the gas-station parking lot, but Houser reportedly followed and tried to run the man off the road.
The witness told police this is not the first time he has been threatened by Houser, and it is not the first time Houser has been arrested on a charge of threatening a witness in the case against his son, Jamar Houser, 20, in the killing of Angeline Fimognari, 80.
John Houser Sr. and his wife were charged with felony retaliation in February 2010 after police say they made oral threats in Youngstown to kill a witness in their son’s case. They were arrested by the Mahoning Valley Violent Crimes Task Force after police had their house under surveillance.
The couple ultimately pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of obstructing justice and were sentenced to five years’ probation.
John Houser Sr., however, violated that term of probation by driving a vehicle while under license suspension and was then sentenced to 10 months in prison.
Houser Sr. is no stranger to the criminal justice system. He was charged with robbery in 1997; however, he pleaded guilty to aggravated assault and served seven months in prison.
He’s also had charges for receiving stolen property, obstructing official business and domestic violence.
Houser Sr. is in Mahoning County jail awaiting arraignment on the most-recent charges. He is slated to be arraigned today.
Jamar Houser, of Volney Road, is charged with aggravated murder and aggravated robbery with death-penalty specifications in the fatal shooting of Fimognari, 80, of Sheridan Road on the city’s South Side. The younger Houser, who also was charged with being a felon with a gun, remains jailed under a $3.1 million bond.
Fimognari was shot to death in the parking lot of St. Dominic Church on the city’s South Side after she left Mass there Jan. 23, 2010.
Comments
Pull out his eyes and cut off his tongue, this should help with his driving and shooting of any weapon.
Let him drool in the dark and mutter to himself for the rest of his useless days.
Give them both the needle.2 losers that don't deserve to breath our precious air.Make the piece of crap mother watch.
What on earth is wrong with society today, and especially in Youngstown, when you have someone who continues to threaten a witness to a murder and nothing is done?! This moron should be pulled from the streets permanently. Wake up, County Prosecutors!
Plea bargains, probation, suspended sentences, early releases...The problem isn't with the police, it is with our courts/judges/prosecutors!!
Let's slap him on the wrist and send him home to continue his life of crime. When are maximum sentences imposed? I'm guessing by the time line he didn't serve the full 10 months he got last time and does he now have a valid license to be driving? I'm also going to guess that this family is getting food stamps and other assistance paid for by the taxpayer who has no one to protect them. Anyone voting for Paul Gains needs to be locked up with this guy.
Maybe the condom companies should use their family photo for advertisement. LOL... PLEASE PLAN AHEAD...
I still say bring back the chain gangs. Let them work out in the freezing cold and in the scorching heat. We need to send them a message.
"Houser reportedly said to the man, “You know who I am? You know what it is. I’ll pull a cap back when I see you.”"
This useless society cockroach needs to be in a cage with his useless cockroach POS son for a long time. Both are so useless to society who would care if there six feet under.
Angeline Fimognari was killed two years ago. Why is this still pending? When does the victim's family get their day in court? The longer this takes, the harder it is to keep witnesses. To the Vindicator: do you do periodic updates on the status of high-profile cases?
But the people of the Valley do!!!! I say let members of the Fimognari family have first dibs on pulling the cap back on this pos. If they don't want to then we should have a lottery on who gets to do the honors. I'm in.
This moron should be off the streets. What is wrong with our justice system? People like this keep getting out of jail with a slap on the wrist and continue to break the law. It has been said many times in the past that these criminals do not fear the justice system.
I wouldn't vote for Paul Gains if my life depended on it. And thank GOD it doesn't.
He continually pleas down the charges, and these "people" get out on time already served, or lesser charges, or some other POS excuse.
And why oh WHY has it taken 2 years and the killer STILL has not been to trial??? WTH??
I can't believe the trial in this case ahs not been conducted and it has been 2 years! Now, we have continuing witness intimidation by a shred of human debris and civilized people wonder why no one wants to come forward and help the authorities!
This loser wouldn't have the opportunity to intimidate witnesses if the trial were completed. How much time do they need to get it done?
Paul Gains not doing his job again... This guys son should have be tried and convicted along time ago. Now, the so called DAD, is still threatening people?? Let's just send them both to jail, this way he can be with is son all the time.
Reports like this emboldens the criminals and puts fear in potential witnesses to step up and report violent crimes. What is wrong with the freaking court systems to let scumbags like Houser run free with no witness protection?
The problem you ask??? Seven letters... S-W-E-E-N-E-Y!!
First of all I'd like to address vinglass. The Federal Courts system got rid of plea bargains and such and its been an absolute disaster. It leaves the judges and prosecutors no lee way.
Take for example 2 men murder a woman who worked for the FBI, but they only catch the one suspect. Before they could plea bargain with him, so many years off his sentence if he gives up his partner. Now they can't do that.
Secondly we need to take better care of our witnesses and Jurors. If we can't even protect them in a high profile murder case, what makes you think they'll be coming forward as witnesses in future crimes, or be willing to be called for jury duty. See once again we are a victim of our short sightedness for always voting down levies to increase tax funds for the police.
Lastly perverting the course of justice by threatening a witness or juror is an affront to our entire system of justice and needs to be dealt with swiftly and severely.
why are these witnesses still in the youngstown area they should have been taken out of ohio period.they would never would ha've been in that situation in the beggining. The procecuter should have moved them from the get go.