Catalytic converter thief sentenced
By MARK LAW, staff writerSTEUBENVILLE - Gary L. Merritt, 37, of 836 Smithfield St., Mingo Junction, was sentenced to nine months in prison on Wednesday by Jefferson County Common Pleas Judge Joseph Bruzzese Jr. after a jury convicted Merritt of felony theft and vandalism
Merritt was charged in connection with the Feb. 2 theft of catalytic converters and damage to the exhaust systems of vehicles at Joe Leonard Auto Broker, 246 N. Third St.
The jury convicted Merritt following a trial on June 9.
County Assistant Prosecutor George Sarap asked Bruzzese to sentence Merritt to the maximum of 12 months in prison because Merritt made up a story about not being at the car dealership during the theft.
Defense attorney David Vukelic told the judge that Merritt disagrees with the jury verdict and maintains his innocence.
"If you put me in jail, you are putting an innocent person in jail," Merritt told Bruzzese.
Bruzzese told Merritt the jury and two eyewitnesses think Merritt stole the catalytic converters.
Merritt claimed he was laid up with a shoulder injury at the time of the thefts.
Bruzzese said Merritt lied when he took the stand and had others lie for him. The judge also ordered $1,400 in restitution to the car dealership.
Merritt asked the judge to appoint him an attorney for his appeal. The appeal process may actually take longer than Merritt's sentence, it was noted.
Merritt was offered six months in the Eastern Ohio Correction Center prior to trial but he refused.
(Law can be contacted at mlaw@heraldstaronline.com.)
