Staff writer
ttjohnso@observer-reporter.com
Washington County District Attorney Steve Toprani will seek the death penalty against Orlando Maurice Guarino, charged with killing his estranged wife and the couple's two young children in July.
Guarino, 38, of 405 Third St., Marianna, who often rambled to the media during previous legal proceedings, did not utter a word during his formal arraignment Thursday on three counts of criminal homicide. He is charged with killing Ashley Guarino, 22, and Dreux Guarino, 2, and Orlando Guarino Jr., 11 months.
Security was tight in the courtroom of Washington County President Judge Debbie O'Dell Seneca. In addition to passing through the main courthouse door metal detector, those entering the courtroom were scanned by another sheriff's deputy.
Several of Ashley Guarino's family sat in the front row. They did not comment but glared at Guarino when the proceeding ended and he was led from the courtroom in shackles and handcuffs.
On behalf of his client, Brian Gorman, assistant public defender, entered pleas of not guilty to the three homicide counts.
After the formal arraignment, Toprani said his office and state police are continuing to investigate whether additional charges will be filed.
As O'Dell Seneca spoke to Guarino, he gazed out the windows, glancing only occasionally in the judge's direction. He did not speak.
Guarino is accused of killing his estranged wife and their son and daughter in their Marianna home July 9. The couple were in the process of divorcing, and she had obtained a protection-from-abuse order against him.
That PFA is listed as one of the aggravating circumstances for which the district attorney will seek the death penalty.
Ashley Guarino moved from the family home to an apartment in North Franklin Township. She returned to the Marianna house the day of the killings for unknown reasons.
The coroner ruled that the three died of asphyxiation.
Guarino's van was found parked near Lew Hays Pony League Field in Washington Park, and the day after the homicides, following a tip, police surrounded the Avalon Motor Inn in Dunningsville off Interstate 70 in Somerset Township. He was not inside.
Later that day, Guarino was captured off West Chestnut Street in Washington.
He remains in Washington County Jail without bond.
Toprani said it is difficult to say when the trial will begin.
Currently, there are several homicide cases waiting for trial with the Guarino case the most recent to be filed, Toprani said.
This is one of three current cases for which the district attorney is seeking the death penalty. The others are Gerald Louis Szakal Jr., charged in the March 4 deaths of former Carroll Township police Chief Howard Springer and his wife, Nancy, in their township home, and Eugene Nagy, in the Sept. 11 deaths of Vince Trotta and Yvonne Helton in Donora.