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10/26/2009 3:43 PM

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By Scott Beveridge, Staff writer, sbeveridge@observer-reporter.com

This article has been read 840 times.

A Charleroi man who played a minor role in the murders of a retired police chief and his wife offered his condolences to the victims' families before he was sentenced to what could be a brief prison sentence.

“I wish I didn’t have any part of it,” said Gregory M. Carpenter before he was sentenced Monday in Washington County Court to 2 to 4 years in state prison in the murders last year of Howard and Nancy Springer.

Washington County President Judge Debbie O’Dell Seneca gave Carpenter, 54, formerly of Donora, credit for the time he has spent in Washington County Jail since his March 9, 2008, arrest, meaning he could be free in five months.

Carpenter helped the murderer, Gerald Szakal, dispose of his bloody clothing in the Monongahela River after the Springers were shot and killed March 4, 2008, in their Carroll Township home.

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Szakal, 27, of Webster, is awaiting sentencing in the case after being convicted of second-degree homicide Oct. 1 in a jury trial before O’Dell Seneca. He robbed and killed Howard Springer, 63, and Nancy Springer, 65, who were dealers in precious metals and purchased a ring Szakal had stolen from his mother.

Carpenter lived up to his plea agreement with prosecutors by testifying at Szakal’s trial that Szakal said he needed to kill the Springers so he would not be arrested for stealing from his mother.

O’Dell Seneca scolded Carpenter during his sentencing about his lengthy criminal record involving arrests stemming from his drug abuse. She also said he was the least responsible for the murders among the four men who were charged in the case.

The judge also ordered him to repay the Springers’ estate the $1,500 he accepted in proceeds from the robbery.

The office of Washington County District Attorney Steve Toprani withdrew its conspiracy to commit robbery and homicide case against Carpenter under the terms of the plea.

He was sentenced Monday to charges of theft by receiving stolen property, tampering with evidence, simple drug possession, possession of drug paraphernalia and giving false information to police.

As he left the courthouse, he told a reporter he was happy with the sentence.

Related articles:

Judge denies Szakal's request

Prosecutors rebut Szakal request

Szakal guilty in double killing


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1 comments

wow : 10/26/2009
nice sentence for killing two people.....this is justice?

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