Man sentenced on manslaughter charge

BY STACI WILSON

The brother of Katherine Pelka, who died June 20, 2011 after her boyfriend injected her with heroin, became emotional as he spoke about his sister in Susquehanna County Court on Thursday.

John Pelka said Eugene Parrish’s “reckless, selfish and uncaring actions (the night of Katherine’s death) left the family incomplete.”

“He just let her die,” Pelka told the court.

Parrish, 34, Montrose, was sentenced by President Judge Kenneth Seamans to serve 20 to 60 months in state prison for involuntary manslaughter.

The misdemeanor charge carries a maximum five year sentence.

Judge Seamans said, “If I thought it would hold up in appellate court, I would sentence you to two and one-half year.”

“The death of Katherine Pelka is upon you,” Judge Seamans said.

Parrish had told police he thought Pelka could have been dead for up to two hours before he called 911. He also agreed with police that if he had called for emergency help when she became unconscious she may still be alive.

At the time of Pelka’s death, Parrish was awaiting sentencing in Susquehanna County Court on an unrelated case.

On May 4, 2011, Parrish pleaded no contest to a charged of indecent assault of a person less than 13 years of age stemming from an April 11, 2010 incident in Dimock Twp.

He was sentenced in that case on August 18, 2011 to serve nine to 23 months and 16 days in the Susquehanna County Correctional Facility.

 

 

Eugene Edward Parrish, 34, of Montrose, PA to 20 months to 60 months in a state correctional facility, not to possess firearms, pay restitution to the victim’s family, pay $50 Criminal Justice Enhancement Act cost, pay $500 fine, pay cost of prosecution, not to have contact with anyone on supervision, receive mental health treatment, not to possess transport or consume alcoholic beverages for Involuntary Manslaughter in New Milford Township on June 20, 2011.

 

 

 

The following people were also sentenced Thursday:

Ceejay Brian Hallstead, 24, of Carbondale, to 2-1/2-12 months for Theft by Unlawful Taking in Lenox Twp. on May 3, 2011.

Richard L Gelineau, 59, of Susquehanna, 4-12 months home confinement, for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia in Susquehanna Borough on Oct. 13, 2011.  He also received 4-15 months home confinement to run concurrent to the above sentence for Manufacture, Delivery or Possession with Intent to Deliver in Susquehanna Borough on Aug. 10, 2011.

John Richard Giddings, 28, of Uniondale, to 90 days – 18 months for Driving Under the Influence in Uniondale Township on June 8, 2011.

Beverly Ann Mizler, 26, of Thompson, three years probation for Theft by Unlawful Taking in Gibson Twp. on May 13, 2011.

Mark Blank, 49, of Susquehanna, to 8 – 23 months for Resisting Arrest on Jan. 13 in Great Bend Twp. He. received 8 – 23 months, to run concurrent to the above sentence, for Simple Assault in Great Bend Twp. on Jan. 13.  Blank also received 5 days – 6 months to run concurrent to the above sentence for Driving Under the Influence in Great Bend Twp. on Nov. 20, 2011.

Joseph A Fiorentino Jr., 40, of Montrose, to 8 – 30 for Theft by Unlawful Taking in Ararat Twp. on Dec. 4, 2011.

Joshua Robbins, 33, ofNicholson,PAto 11-1/2 – 23-1/2 for Driving Under the Influence inBridgewaterTwp. on Nov.1, 2011.

Tracey Lynn Ramsay, 30, of Montrose, to 2-1/2 – 10 years to run concurrent with Lackawanna County sentence, followed by 10 years consecutive probation, for Robbery of a Motor Vehicle in Susquehanna Borough on Oct. 13, 2011.

Edward John Mazzocchi, 50, of South Gibson, to 3 – 12 months for Burglary in Gibson Twp. on Oct. 9, 2011.

David Shahriari, 29, of New Milford, to 11-1/2 – 23 months for Theft by Unlawful Taking in Bridgewater Twp. on June 1, 2011.

Jason Brent Bush, 39, Montrose, to 3-1/2 – 12 months for Resisting Arrest in Montrose Borough on Dec. 9, 2011.

Brianne Thomas, 22, of Montrose, to 8 – 23-1/2 months for Criminal Conspiracy/Theft by Unlawful Taking in Lenox Twp. on Nov. 7, 2011.

Marcelo Garcia, 41, of Montrose, to 15 months probation for Forgery in Susquehanna Borough on May 27, 2011.

Michael William Mudge, 43, of Montrose, to 2 days – 6 months for Driving Under the Influence in Great Bend Twp. on Sept. 9, 2011. Mudge also received 4 – 12 months to run concurrent to the above sentence for Bad Checks in Harford Twp. on July 8, 2011.  He received 8 – 23-1/2 months for Bad Checks in Montrose Borough on Aug. 24, 2011.  Mudge received 3 days – 6 months to run concurrent to the above sentences for Driving Under the Influence in Susquehanna Borough on Aug. 29, 2011.  Finally, Mudge received 3 days – 6 months for Driving Under the Influence in Montrose Borough on Aug. 27, 2011.