Tataseo guilty on all counts for murder of father
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LISBON -- Life in prison with no chance to get out, plus an additional 24 months -- that's the punishment for Nathan Tataseo after a jury found him guilty of all counts for killing his father on June 28, 2022 in the family's Columbiana home.
The jury of six men and six women only needed an hour and 10 minutes Friday afternoon to render their verdict after having the case handed to them at 2:09 p.m. in Columbiana County Common Pleas Court.
Family and friends of the victim, 76-year-old James E. Tataseo, quietly let out sighs of relief when the first verdict of guilty was read for the aggravated murder charge. Guilty was also the verdict for the murder count, theft and theft of a person in a protected class, with findings that the first theft involved a credit card and that the second theft involved an elderly victim.
"We're happy with the outcome of this case. We think justice was served for the victim and his family," county Assistant Prosecutor Alec Beech said.
Beech, Chief Assistant Prosecutor Ryan Weikart and Assistant Prosecutor Christopher Weeda all represented the state and they noted the massive amount of hours put in by Columbiana Police Detectives Mark Edwards and Richard Whitfield on this case resulted in a very successful prosecution.
"I think all three of us were taken aback by the continued lack of remorse throughout the entire process. I guess cold blooded killer is appropriate in this case," Weikart said, referring to the defendant's demeanor.
He gave a nod of appreciation to the Columbiana Police Department and to his co-counsel, Beech and Weeda, for their help, saying that Beech's organization of the evidence and working with the detectives was vital. Beech said the hard work of the detectives was essential. They all thanked Columbiana Police and members of the county Major Crimes Task Force who assisted, including the investigators with the prosecutor's office.
Tataseo, 47, who's been jailed since his arrest on July 1, 2022, initially for falsification for lying to police investigating his father's death, was represented by defense attorneys Charley Kidder and Paul Conn.
The indictment for aggravated murder, murder and the two theft charge was issued last fall. Tataseo said nothing at his sentencing and did not take the stand during the trial. The defense offered no witnesses.
"We're obviously disappointed, but we respect the jury's decision. As I said in closing, I still feel awful for the family members that went through this tragedy," Kidder said, noting an appeal will be filed.
After the verdict was read, he asked for the jurors to polled. All answered yes, that guilty was their verdict. The trial started with 12 jurors and two alternates, but one of the jurors slept in and called at 8:30 a.m. Friday to say she would be late. At 9:45 a.m., when she still hadn't arrived, Judge Megan Bickerton said they weren't going to wait any longer and replaced her with one of the alternates, with the makeup still six men, six woman and now one alternate. The remaining alternate was released before deliberations began by the twelve.
Before sentencing, Beech said James E. Tataseo was killed while he was reclining in his recliner, probably watching the television that later came up missing, when Nathan Tataseo picked up the portable heater and crushed his head in what had been described as a sneak attack throughout the trial.
"The conduct is just simply reprehensible. He showed no remorse. He seems completely unfazed with being here. We're looking at a cold blooded killer here," Beech said.
He noted that while he's been incarcerated, Nathan Tataseo has been in at least two altercations at the county jail. He recommended the sentence of life without parole and 12 months each on the two theft charges, with everything consecutive or one after the other.
The victim's sons, John and James, who both testified in the trial against their younger brother, stood together as John made a statement and requested a sentence of life without parole. He said he has a 15-year-old son with Down syndrome. During the trial, he talked about the great relationship his son had with his grandpa, James E. Tataseo, how they all went fishing together and spent the last weekend of his father's life all together fishing.
"He knows his grandpa died, but he doesn't know he was murdered," John said while holding back tears.
Their father used to visit their mother, Ginny, every day at the nursing home. He visited with her the last day of his life and even took her to a wound care center appointment that day.
Since his death, John said their mother's health deteriorated and she died in March.
"I think she just gave up on life," he said.
Bickerton offered her condolences to both brothers, saying she was sorry about the loss of their father and appreciated them being there and testifying.
Conn noted that the court had alternatives for the life sentence and asked for that consideration for his client, who's struggled with a drug problem, pointing out that its the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and perhaps he could get rehabilitated and get out later in life. He said he understood the need for consecutive sentences, but asked for concurrent terms.
Bickerton told Tataseo the smirk on his face speaks volumes, noting that he lost both parents this year.
"Your only response is a smirk. Shame on you. Shame on you," she said.
For count one, the aggravated murder charge, she said the court had choices of life without parole, 20 years to life, 25 years to life or 30 years to life for the sentence. She looked at the defendant and said that not only did the evidence strongly point to him, but the manner in which he conducted himself in court pointed to him. He smirked, he rolled his eyes and he showed no remorse.
"That is what a cold, heartless killer does, not a loving son, not a decent human being," Bickerton said. "You think it's all a joke."
For purposes of sentencing, she noted that the aggravated murder and murder counts merge and also commented that this was the most serious way this crime could be committed. To protect the public and punish the offender, she said consecutive sentences were warranted, handing down the sentence of life in prison without the chance for parole, plus an additional 24 months for the theft and theft of a person in a protected class.
mgreier@mojonews.com