CANFIELD — Columbiana County Recorder Theresa Bosel could receive a recommended sentence of 30 days house arrest if she takes a plea deal offered in a 2019 traffic fatality case.

The plea deal was offered during a hearing Friday in Mahoning County Court in Canfield, but Bosel at first rejected it, and Judge Molly Johnson scheduled the case for trial Oct. 26. Bosel was given until Sept. 4 to change her mind after asking to see the plea deal in writing.

Bosel is charged with misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter and driving left of center for allegedly causing the Aug. 18, 2019, traffic accident that claimed the life of 69-year-old Cecil Chamberlain, who lived in California with his children but also spent some of the year at his Salem area farm.

Bosel was driving on Western Reserve Road in Mahoning County when her Jeep Wrangler reportedly went left of center, striking a GMC Terrain. The Wrangler also struck a Ford Fusion driven by Chamberlain, who died from his injuries. His wife, Roberta, was treated for injuries at a nearby hospital. Neither Bosel nor the driver and occupant in the Terrain were injured.

The vehicular manslaughter charge carries a maximum possible sentence of 90 days in the county jail and $750 fine. Under the deal offered by assistant Mahoning County prosecutor Mike McBride, Bosel would plead guilty as charged and he would recommend she be sentenced to 30 days house arrest and fined $500. Her license would be suspended for two years, but she could apply for restricted driving privileges during that period.

Attorney Greg Rossi, who represents the victim’s family, attended the hearing and was asked by the judge for his thoughts. He said the family believes Bosel deserves the maximum sentence.

“Given the loss of life and the catastrophic effect on Roberta (and their family) … we’re asking for jail time,” he said. “House arrest, we’re not on board with.”

Rossi said the family would also like to participate in any sentencing hearing, and Johnson believes something could be arranged via Zoom so the Chamberlains do not have to travel back from California. “They just want to be heard on the issue of sentencing,” he said.

Johnson then asked Bosel if she fully understood all of her options, and defense attorney Edward Hartwig assured her his client did.

Then Bosel indicated she would like to see the plea deal in writing. Hartwig explained to Bosel the judge is not bound by the plea deal and still retains discretion when it comes to sentencing.

“Sentencing is always up to me,” Johnson told Bosel, adding she sometimes deviates from the sentencing recommendation and that has resulted in harsher or lesser sentences for defendants.

Johnson finally decided to give the parties a week to put the plea deal in writing for Bosel to review, but she wanted a decision by Sept. 4. Hartwig stated even if she took the plea deal he would request a presentence investigation rather than immediate sentencing.

Meanwhile, the case will be scheduled for trial Oct. 26.