BY JOHN A. DARNELL JR.
      associate editor
      Current Mahoning County Prosecutor Gina DeGenova (D) told some 125 persons who attended the Boardman Civic Associations Candidates and Issues forum held at the Lariccia Family Community Center last week in Boardman Park that since she took office (in 2023 when Paul Gains resigned the post) that the office “has demonstrated a 98 per cent conviction rate and less than 3 per cent of our cases have been dismissed.”
      Her opponent in the November general elections, Lynn Maro (R), noted when DeGenova took office “she said she wasn’t going to change a thing. I can tell you over the last 23 years that I’ve done criminal defense work...there is a laundry list of cases that have been vacated because we haven’t followed the rules.”
      Maro noted that “Last summer evidence was not turned-over in a homicide case resulting in a delay.”
      She also said that 14 per cent of murder cases over the last four years have been dismissed, or resulted in a finding of not guilty.
      “That should never happen,” Maro said.
      DeGenova stated “Over last year alone, I’ve prosecuted multiple criminal cases, securing the convictions of a violent murderer and a man who violently attacked a police officer.”
      DeGenova stated under her administration, the prosecutor’s office has one rule and “that is to follow the law.”
      The prosecutor said while she has been in office an on-call prosecutor was put on staff who is available to answer questions from law enforcement 24-hours-a-day, seven days a week.
      She said a Victims Unit has been created “devoted to seeking justice for crimes against our most vulnerable persons, and a Comfort Dog Program “helps victims to provide comfort and a safe place to tell their stories.”
      Noted DeGenova, “As prosecutor, I have an obligation to develop programs to reduce crime,” including offering a self-defense class, the dog program and the Blue Envelope program that helps people with disabilities “to communicate with police during a traffic stop.”
      Both DeGenova and Maro have been attorneys for more than two decades.
      Maro said she is seeking election as county prosecutor for one reason, “justice.
      “If we lose one case because we haven’t followed the law or rules, justice is denied for our community, police officers and victims.”
      Maro said “I want a justice system where when someone walks out of the courtroom, everyone has confidence in the outcome of the case.”
      Maro said a homicide case before the court last year was delayed because evidence was not turned over to defense attorneys in the matter.
      “This shows a lack of respect for the rule of law, and the constitution,” Maro said, adding “Every continuance, every dismissal is a waste of taxpayer dollars and criminal justice resources; and shows a lack of regard for the victims, police officers and our community.
      “It is an ongoing problem, and needs to be fixed.”