Juvenile enters plea in Carlisle Township beating death

ELYRIA — A 14-year-old boy who was involved in the beating death of a 61-year-old Carlisle Township man last year has admitted to murder and other charges in the case.

The boy, whom the Chronicle-Telegram is not identifying because of his age, was sentenced to two years in an Ohio Department of Youth Services facility during a hearing Friday, but he probably will be held until he turns 21 under the terms of a plea agreement reached with prosecutors.

The boy’s mother cried softly as she sat next to her son during the hearing.

Farris Jones

The teen did not speak about the death of Farris Jones, but he answered numerous questions posed by Lorain County Juvenile Judge Frank Janik to make sure he understood the plea bargain, which calls for him to testify against Bishop Howard.

Howard could get the death penalty if convicted of killing Jones, whom he allegedly beat to death with a baseball bat, and for the separate killing of Eric Zaffer on Aug. 4 in Brighton Township. Howard, along with Trevor White and Ryan Crews, who also face charges in Zaffer’s death, allegedly robbed Zaffer before Howard shot him and the house was set ablaze.

County sheriff’s deputies believe that Howard and the teen broke into Jones’ home and attacked him before throwing eggs and other food items at him once he was dead. The teen is also believed to have taken an antique firearm from the house when they left. Jones’ body was found on July 17 by a friend who was checking on him.

Janik only imposed a sentence on the teen Friday for charge of a tampering with evidence with a gun specification and an unrelated theft case in which he was accused of stealing a wheelchair.

The judge will hand down sentences on the murder, aggravated robbery and aggravated burglary against the teen after he has fulfilled his obligations to prosecutors.

If he doesn’t live up to the terms of the agreement, prosecutors will be able to withdraw their participation in the plea and could seek to have the teen’s case sent to the adult justice system, where the charges he faces could potentially send him to prison for the rest of his life.

The boy’s defense attorney, Michael Towne, said the agreement was the best option for his client.

“I believe this disposition was fair due to his level of involvement,” Towne said after the hearing.

Jones’ family sat in the back of the courtroom during the hearing, but didn’t speak when offered the opportunity.

Assistant County Prosecutor Tom DeRoma said the family probably will have something to say the next time the boy is in court to find out the remainder of his sentence.

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