Zarlingo escapes death sentence | News, Sports, Jobs

Patricia Zarlingo stands at the podium as her sentence of 35 years to life in prison is announced Friday by Trumbull County Common Pleas Judge Sean O’Brien. She stands between her attorneys Thomas Zena, left, and Anthony Meranto.

WARREN – Patricia Zarlingo escaped the death penalty and was sentenced to 35 years to life in prison Friday after agreeing to a plea deal for her involvement in a fatal house fire.

Zarlingo, 29, was the last co-defendant to take a deal, pleading guilty to aggravated murder, two counts of aggravated arson, aggravated burglary and tampering with evidence. The case stems from a fatal house fire on Jan. 19, 2023, at 429 Nevada Ave. NW, Warren.

Trumbull County prosecutors said Zarlingo, who had been in a dispute with an ex-boyfriend, drove with Daviduk and another co-defendant, Zackary Gurd, from her and co-defendant Brendan Daviduk’s Youngstown residence to the Nevada Avenue home. Prosecutors say Zarlingo parked her car down the street from the house. Gurd and Daviduk then broke into the home while one of the two men poured gasoline on the house and set it on fire. Two other people were inside the home, along with 16-year-old Chassidy Broadstone. The couple managed to escape.

Chassidy, who was unable to leave the house, died of smoke inhalation.

As part of the agreement, Zarlingo was charged with aggravated murder and the death penalty was waived. She was represented by attorneys Anthony Meranto and Thomas Zena. Assistant Trumbull County District Attorneys Chris Becker and Michael Burnett prosecuted the case for the state.

Common Pleas Judge Sean O’Brien presided over her and Daviduk’s case. O’Brien said he struggled with the sentencing. He told Zarlingo that if she had gone to trial and the jury had recommended the death penalty, he would have given it to her.

“I hope you understand the consequences of your actions and I hope you use the program.” said O’Brien.

Chassidy’s family gave emotional testimony as members took the podium to express their grief and expressed their hope that Zarlingo would change her behavior in prison.

The teenager’s mother, Rose Richards, said the last year, six months and nine days could have been different.

“They took Chassidy away. She was just a ray of light. Everyone she met loved her, they grew to love her.” Richards said, adding that despite her loss at the hands of Zarlingo and others, she prayed that the defendant would “find God” and heal Zarlingo from her past.

Chassidy’s father, Roger Broadstone, said briefly: “I pray for your children. I hope they have a good life.”

Chassidy’s stepfather, James Stein, said the 16-year-old was “happy and full of life”, but he expressed hope that Zarlingo would find light in prison. Zarlingo stood nearby, often staring into the distance and rarely glancing at the family members as they spoke.

Although he was not the main perpetrator who started the fire that killed Chassidy, Becker said Zarlingo was the “driving force behind these crimes and the death of Chassidy Broadstone.”

“In court, we would have presented evidence that she drove the people there. She knew the address, which she had only found out a day or two earlier. She had argued with Mr. Stein about child support issues for a child they had together.” said Becker.

“So she clearly had the motive and our argument to the jury would have been clear if Zackary Gurd and Brendan Daviduk had not gotten in the car and driven to Warren to burn down the house.”

Judge Cynthia Rice will sentence Gurd. A date has not yet been set, but Becker said Gurd faces a possible sentence of 40 to 60 years in prison or life.

Daviduk will be sentenced by O’Brien. A date has not yet been set, but he faces a sentence of 32 years to life in prison.

“In my 35 years as a prosecutor, it is very rare that a case ends with three co-defendants receiving life sentences. We are pleased about that,” said Becker.

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