Fri. 11:30 a.m.: Youngstown man takes plea deal in fatal Warren fire
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WARREN -- As part of a plea agreement, Zackary Gurd has had the death penalty dismissed in his case after admitting to his role in the fatal house fire that claimed the life of 16-year-old Chassidy Broadstone on Jan. 19.
The jointly recommended plea deal, which was accepted by Judge Cynthia W. Rice would see Gurd, 23, of Youngstown, facing between 40 to 60 years. Gurd pleaded guilty to aggravated murder, attempted aggravated murder, aggravated arson, aggravated burglary and tampering with evidence.
Officers say Gurd was seen on video carrying a gas can into the home the night of the fire. He's suspected by police of having started the fire that killed Broadstone and injured two of her siblings. Broadstone was found by investigators lying in the second floor bathroom.
Gurd fled and the U.S. Marshals arrested Gurd shortly after he stepped off a Greyhound bus that he took to Chester, Virginia.
At an extradition hearing in Virginia, Gurd waived his rights to a hearing and was transported back to Ohio where he was booked into Trumbull County jail on felony charges March 5.
Codefendants Patricia Zarlingo, 27, and Brendan M. Daviduk, 28, both of Manchester Avenue in Youngstown, are expected to have jury trials in early 2024. The three face several felony charges for aggravated murder and arson. Gurd was identified as a suspect after police released an image of him to the public, which was taken from surveillance footage captured inside the home.