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WARREN -- Attorneys Thomas Zena and Anthony Meranto, representing Patricia Zarlingo, are evaluating the "potential ramifications" on their client of the terms of a plea deal given to a co-defendant in the fatal house fire case that claimed the life of 16-year-old Chassidy Broadstone on Jan 19, 2023.
Zena and Meranto said they found out about the plea deal from the media.
Zarlingo, 28, of Youngstown, faces capital aggravated murder and other felony charges connected to the January 2023 fire.
At a hearing in late December, co-defendant Zackary Gurd accepted a plea deal that allowed him to avoid a potential death sentence for his role in the fatal incident.
The jointly recommended plea deal, which was accepted by Judge Cynthia Rice, would see Gurd, 23, of Youngstown, facing between 40 and 60 years in prison, as he pleaded guilty to charges of aggravated murder, attempted aggravated murder, aggravated arson, aggravated burglary and tampering with evidence.
On Wednesday, First Assistant Prosecutor Christopher Becker said Gurd agreed to be interviewed by prosecutors and will make a video statement to which Zarlingo's counsel will have access.
Becker said he will work with legal counsel over the next two to three weeks to complete the requirements of Gurd's plea.
Both sides agreed to reconverge in O'Brien's courtroom for a Feb. 7 pretrial hearing. Zarlingo's tentative jury trial date is April 1.
A third co-defendant, 29-year-old Brendan Daviduk, will appear in court next week.
The judge asked Becker if a plea deal offer will be made, but Becker told O'Brien the prosecution would be in a "better position" to make that determination after Daviduk's Wednesday hearing. His tentative jury trial date is May 14.
Closing out the hearing, O'Brien questioned Zarlingo to ensure she understood the hearing and knew that a co-defendant had taken a plea agreement. When asked, she told O'Brien she understood what the plea could mean for her case.