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'I KNOW IT WAS ME'
Staff writer
The Marianna man accused of killing his estranged wife and two small children told state police after his July 10 arrest that he "just snapped."
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Guarino will stand trial on three counts of homicide in the deaths of 22-year-old Ashley Maze Guarino, 21/2-year-old Dreux Guarino and 11-month-old Orlando Guarino Jr. Their bodies were found about 11 p.m. July 9 in Guarino's home at 405 Third St., Marianna, by Ashley Guarino's stepfather and boyfriend. Ashley Guarino had obtained a protection-from-abuse order against her estranged husband that had become final 10 days before she and her children were murdered.
Ashley Guarino's body was found on the laundry room floor on the first floor of the home. The children were upstairs, Dreux on the bed in her bedroom and the baby in his crib in another bedroom.
Police previously had said the children had spent the night with their father, and Ashley Guarano had gone to the home to pick them up.
Washington County District Attorney Steven Toprani said after the hearing that no decision has been made as to whether he will seek the death penalty.
Dr. Abdulrezzak Shakir, the pathologist who performed the autopsies for Washington County Coroner Tim Warco, said Ashley Guarino had been strangled and the two children had been smothered.
Shakir, testifying Wednesday in a preliminary hearing in Central Court before District Judge Valarie Costanzo, said Ashley Guarino had been violently beaten before she died.
She had abrasions to her face, arms and legs, and three of her ribs had been broken. Those injuries, however, did not cause her death, Shakir said. He testified that she could have been kicked or punched or pushed into a solid object. State police Cpl. Beverly Ashton said Ashley Guarino had marks around her neck.
Shakir said Dreux had a contusion on her lip and hemorrhages under her scalp that were consistent with pressure being placed on her head. The 11-month-old had no external signs of trauma.
Under cross-examination by assistant public defender Brian Gorman, Shakir said the boy did not have the strength to resist the obstruction to his airway. The marks on the girl indicated that something was pressed against her head or her head was pushed into something.
Guarino told police that his estranged wife arrived at the Marianna home about 8:15 a.m. July 9. He had made the family scrambled eggs with cheese and turkey bacon for breakfast. Shakir, during his testimony, said Ashley and Dreux Guarino died less than two hours after eating their last meal.
Cpl. Beverly Ashton, one of the investigators, said the television in a second-floor room was still on when they arrived, tuned to a station with children's programming. A paper plate was on the kitchen table. On the plate was written, "I'm with my family, peace out." It also had "Yote," "AK" and "RA." He later told Ashton that "Yote" referred to a daughter in another relationship, and "RA" referred to his brother.
On the floor were electric cords that had been cut and left in circles, Ashton said. Guarino would later tell Trooper Thomas Kress that he tried to commit suicide.
Guarino told Kress that after breakfast, Guarino and Ashley got into an argument over a text message left on her cell phone.
"He said he decided he could not take it anymore," Kress said. "He tried twice to hang himself using the electric cords. When that didn't work, he went outside to fix his lawn mower.
"When he went back inside the house, he found them the way they were," the trooper testified. "He said he knows he snapped and that he still loves his wife and kids."
Kress said Guarino did not appear to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
"He was teary-eyed and sad on his way to the barracks," Kress said.
Ashley Guarino's vehicle was found by Washington police in Washington Park. Guarino told police the family had planned to go there for an outing that afternoon.
Ashton said Guarino engaged the media on his way to his arraignment when he said, "Hi, Nancy," and "Hi, Bill," to the cameras. Nancy and Bill Wyland are Ashley Guarino's mother and stepfather.
"He said he had to put on his game face," Ashton said of Guarino before he faced the media. "He'd answer pretty much anything they asked. But he never answered that he did do it."
Away from the spotlight, however, his demeanor was more subdued.
"While we were in the car on the way to arraignment, he kept saying over and over that he must have done it," Ashton said. "But he said, 'It is not in my character.'"
Kress said that on the day the bodies were found, police received information that Guarino was at 1200 Fayette St. Guarino was caught on West Chestnut Street after running from the home.
Police also received information earlier that day that Guarino was at the Avalon Motel in Somerset Township, but he was gone before they arrived. Toprani did not rule out filing charges against anyone who knowingly assisted Guarino in the hours after the murders.
On Wednesday, before allowing the suspect, attorneys, family members and other spectators to enter the courtroom of President Judge Debbie O'Dell Seneca, Washington County sheriff's deputies swept the courtroom. One deputy used a metal detector wand to check everyone before they entered the courtroom.
Prior to the start of the hearing, Costanzo cautioned that while she realized this was extremely emotional, no outbursts would be tolerated. She warned that anyone who disrupted the proceeding would be escorted from the courtroom.
When he was led into the courtroom as everyone waited outside the courtroom doors, Guarino turned and grinned. As he left the hearing, he held up his hand and gave the peace sign to his family and friends, motioning for them to call or visit.
Guarino remains in Washington County Jail, where he is being held without bond.
Terrible : 7/24/2008
This man is sick. I hope for the family and those poor children that he is punished as he rightfully should be.
Horrifying 7/24/2008 : 7/24/2008
This man shoulkd be punished to the fullest extent, he took 3 young lives. I knew this girl from my daughter playing softball with her, a very loving young woman & mother. FL
Kinder, gentler : 7/24/2008
Now now, it's not his fault, he was abused as a child, his mother didn't love him enough, or some other line of crap. With todays political correctness, remember it is never your fault.
Deranged Individual : 7/24/2008
I hope that they are keeping him safe in jail! NOT!
Teary eyed, sad, loving????????? : 7/24/2008
I can't get that from this story when as he was being led into the courtroom he turned and grinned? Hang 'em high!!!!!
Snapped : 7/24/2008
Hopefully No one falls for this "I snapped", not remembering act. What kinda guy puts his "game face" on if he is really remorseful. Yeah Right.
Sick in the head : 7/24/2008
Turn him loose. Just let us know when, And where. We will save tax payer money. Plus we will help him with that smile.
What a freak : 7/24/2008
Never in my life could I fathum the thought of taking my childs life. That sick pig needs to die and burn for eternity for what he did to such beautiful lives. I am so very sorry for the Maze family, and I hope that you can find some peace through this terrible tragedy.
very sick person : 7/24/2008
he should get what he did to them just ten times worse.those three didnt deserve what happened to them.
Sick!! : 7/24/2008
This man is human garbage, he deserves everything he gets and i feel no pitty for people like himself. he does't even deserve to breathe the air.
the love of a brother : 7/24/2008
You judgemental people! Really should keep your thoughts and mean comment to yourselves, I hope u realize that he has a wonderful and sweet 16 year old daughter that can read all these things you people spew out of your mouths. we hurt just as much as Ashleys family, there is lost all around. I love my brother and can not shut down my emotions, just rememeber people some day we all face judgement and have to answer for our sins. stop the cycle of hate, pray for both families we all need it.THE LOVE OF A BROTHER
unthinkable : 7/24/2008
neighbors did not hear this poor girl scream?
Unthinkable : 7/24/2008
With such a violent beating, I am surprised no one heard this poor girl screaming. Was it disclosed as to what was in the text message that caused him to "snap"?
Unthinkable: 7/24/08 : 7/24/2008
Was it disclosed if the children were killed first and the mother made to watch?
sick freak : 7/24/2008
if the system does not punish him to the extent that he deserves, just remember that there is a higher power that will handle it either way!
you people need lifes : 7/24/2008
this stuff goes on all the time this is life and people that don't know the facts should not judge before they know the whole storie i still beleave that justices is blind and inocent untill found guilty but people like to snape to jugement
Judgmental???????? : 7/24/2008
The truth is the truth. I'm sure his daughter "that is still with us all" is sweet but there is nothing anyone can do to change anyone else's actions. Everyone wants and needs to know the truth, no matter how bad it may be. We are all praying for both families but most of all for Ashley and those 2 babies. Maybe someone close to him (like family) should have gotten him help before something like this happened. He was sick and he does deserve to be punished at the fullest extent. The whole "game face" really makes me see how sick he is. I did not know him personally but do know people who did and even they say something was just not right with him. So no one is being judgmental. They are just telling it how it is.
Sick, sad and stupid. : 7/24/2008
Your family may hurt but not as much as Ashleys family does...Your brother is still alive just in jail they don't have their daughter or grandchildren anymore for ever for good period. I do feel bad for his 16 year old daughter for having to go through this. She shouldnt have to but lets put the blame where it goes and thats on him.
Concerned for 16 year old : 7/24/2008
His sixteen year old should be given consideration, but at 16, I'm quite sure she knows what her father did was unthinkable, and acts such as this will not go unjudged by humanity. Sorry, it's just human nature. A conscious, that is what separates man from beast.
who are we to judge : 7/24/2008
the last time i checked only god can judge
Torn - Emotional turmoil : 7/24/2008
To all who wish death on Orlando(Foo), remember that his death will not bring back the lives he took. It will not extinguish the pain felt by Ashley's family and his. This kind of pain lingers and honestly never goes away and ending his life will not change that. As I have mentioned so many times before, you cruel, rude individuals need to remember he has another child, who is a teenager and who has to experience your hatred and sick comments. Please think of that child if no one else. Violence solves nothing and hatred only breeds more hatred. I understand everyone's feelings but please remember that Orlando (Foo) has a family too and friends that care for him also and we don't understand or accept this anymore than any of you. We don't know this person that is being portrayed in the media, we know a loving, caring, funny individual who would give you anything he had. We as his friends and family are hurting too, we are experiencing more emotions than we know what to do with. If you have never been in this position then you will never understand nor care what we are going through. I just ask that you respect his child. Show her some sympathy and compassion because she did not ask for this to happen to her family (Step-mom, Sister, Brother or Dad) nor does she deserve what she must endure after the fact.
Pray for Him : 7/24/2008
Instead of crucifying this man, you people should be praying for him. If he truly did this crime, then he is obviously sick and needs our prayers, as does his family. Don't you think that's what Ashley would have wanted
SICK SICK MAN : 7/24/2008
He should get the chair and the the Maze family should be the ones that get to pull the lever. Stop wasting tax payers money on such a sick person.
The Devil Is Busy : 7/24/2008
This is what happens when you are not Saved.The devil comes in and steal our joy !!!!!!!!!!!!!
love of a brother : 7/24/2008
How can you say the you hurt as much as the Maze family? You brother is still alive! You can still see him,hear him, and write him letters. What does the Maze family have? NOTHING!! because your brother took that away!! Please do not compare yourself to the Maze family you do not know what hurting is.
Right On : 7/24/2008
I agree with all the comments...Turn him loose in public..he wont make it far...hang him high for all to see..right on!!
To the love of a brother : 7/24/2008
You are so right. It is hard for us, the people looking in on the situation to say the things we says. We cant understand it, why not only here but two helpless kids. But that has nothing to do with your family either. Your family are not only losing your brother but your neice and newphew too. And I feel for both families. I had an aunt that was murdered by her husband the nicest man you would have ever met. He treated us kids so great and he treated my aunt great also. One day the doctors took him off his medicine and sent him home. Did not observe him just let him back into a world that he was medicated in for alot of years. They went to the grocery store, came home she was filling out an application and he walked up behind her and shot her in the head. Called his work and told them there was a family emergency and wouldnt make it in today. Called his two sons they went to Penn State and told one of the roommates tell the boys to come home there has been an accident. Called 911 and said there had been a murder and about to be a suicide and killed himself. His sons found out what happen from the radio on their way home. We were told that she did not suffer but he did. I forgave him. He took a wonderful person from us but at the same that doctor took another wonderful person from us. He couldnt control his mental status he depend on the doctors to help him and they didnt. We should all just look at the whole picture. I am not defending someone that would hurt and young girl and his children but the brother is right, he has another daughter that is out there he has parents and siblings and family members that have lost alot too. This is something I dont think the world gets that man is done he doesnt have to deal with this now. But his family does. All the mean things said, look deeper in your hearts for them.
sick : 7/24/2008
He should get what he deserves somebody needs to wipe that stupid grin off his face, he acts like he is a hero or something but only a sick man could kill his children and wife
Pray for Foo's family : 7/24/2008
As a family member, you can hate his actions, not the man that you knew. please remember, there are victims on both sides of this sad, sad story. This man, does not deserve your sympathy, but for god's sakes his poor family has to deal with their loss of granchildren, neice and nephew, and the terrible shame that their family member has caused them.
opinions don't matter : 7/24/2008
People in glass houses should not throw stones!
people : 7/24/2008
Anyone who would claim the evil slayer of a beautiful young family as a friend or even relation may need their head checked as well. If he is willing to murder his wife and children maybe you should think twice of what he would or could have done to you.
Wonderful man? : 7/24/2008
If he were such a great guy, admit to what you did and take the consequences. Don't make a mockery out of those two young lives!
Why? : 7/24/2008
I don't know this family but I want to know why everyone is being so rude about it.I'm not saying it was a good thing he did but maybe he actually did black out and don't remember doing it. Think of his family too. And if Ashley was afraid of him to the point that she had to get a PFA than maybe she shouldn't have went to the house. If she was picking up the kids maybe it shold have been in a public place or maybe she shouldn't have even let him have the kids. I know you are all hurt over the 3 of them being gone but it seems to me like she has some blame in this too! Why would she even let him have those babies after the things he had done to the little boy? Stop and think what you are all saying! Like I said..Can't blame it all on him!
other daughter : 7/24/2008
to all of his friends and family -- maybe he should of thought of the 16 year old daughter a little more before taking the lives of his wife and babies! So what if people speak badly of him! He brought it on himself
: 7/24/2008
i want to see the people who helped in hide all day, move ashleys car, and all that those people are pieces of crap also and need to be punished...n u all no who u are...burn in hell with foo's ass
notice : 7/24/2008
Did anyone notice that he was hiding out at 1200 fayette st and in todays police report there was also a fight at 1200 fayette st. Was this connected?
Stupid Grin : 7/24/2008
I agree with ss. You have no idea the pain that monster has brought to the Maze and Wyland families and those that grew up with Ashley and those that were blessed to have met her. And all the monster has to do Smile? What the heck does he have to smile about? O yea, he's living off my tax dollars in jail. "Sad" "Loving" then why is he smiling when his wife and babies are dead. That doesn't sound like a very sad or loving person to me. Smiling isn't a sad gesture. I think he is thriving off the media attention. He got his 15 minutes of fame and it's all beacuse he didn't have the guts to kill himself after he took the lives of those innocent people. And as for his 16 year old daughter, Hunny you better be praying to God and thanking him that you weren't with your father that morning or it could have been you too, since he just "snapped".
DEATH PENALTY : 7/24/2008
True it wont bring back the lives he took but at least the taxpayers of Pa. wont have to support this maniac in prison for the next 50 years either...death penalty all the way.
Daughter ...... : 7/24/2008
His daughter shoud feel lucky that he "just didnt ever snap" on her.This sicko was capable of killing anyone or anything! Those of you defending him are the ones whom need help.Like the one in Greene Co. that killed the little girl both need to be put to death. We need to start setting an example in this state.
The love of a brother : 7/24/2008
I didn't know any of them, but my children do. I know it is very upsetting to everyone. But as they say he does have another daughter, feel sorry for and his family, as well as the Maze family. Just keep them all in your heart and prayers.
toprani : 7/25/2008
Why isn't the DA prosecuting this one himself? Just wondering...
Swift justice : 7/25/2008
In a case like this, where there is no doubt about who did this terrable crime, justice needs to be swift. There are plenty of strong trees around, and everyone knows where to find a good strong rope to be put to good use.
get real : 7/25/2008
why should he get to live out his life when the three of them will never get to experience anything ever again i say let him fry do whats right for once
death is to good for him : 7/27/2008
I have read all the comments and I have to say that I agree with most of them. But one really bothers me. To the one that wrote Pray for him! you said that isn't that what Ashley would have wanted? How would you know what she would want and because of Foo noone will ever know. I had the pleasure of knowing her and she was a wonderful person. I can remember our trip to Flordia and the fun we had. I'm sure she was a super mom. No one deserves to die at the hands of another. However I think that giving him death is not the way to go. Allow him to go to jail and let the men have their way with him. We all know that they do not look kindly on child killers. I think going to jail will give him a slow and painful death. My heart goes out to the parents and family of Ashley. Know that you are in my thoughts daily. This was a GREAT loss!
Upsetting : 7/31/2008
I don't know if any of you people give a damn, But you know orlando wasn't the only person living in that house! there was another man living in that house too. Jose Dejesus. maybe someone should be questioning that piece of SHIT!!!!!! I wouldn't doubt he had something to do with it
