After third trial, daughter convicted of killing father
Jason...@virgin.net
The Associated Press
10/02/99 6:16 AM Eastern
LIMA, Ohio (AP) -- A woman who claimed she shot her father in the back
after years of abuse was convicted of aggravated murder after a third
trial.
Mindy Berenyi, 20, was convicted Friday and sentenced to life in prison
in Allen County Common Pleas Court. She will be eligible for parole in
23 years.
Berenyi had admitted that she used a 12-gauge shotgun to kill her father
four years ago, but said the killing was prompted by years of being
abused as a child.
Prosecutor Joseph Burkard said there was no evidence of abuse and
Berenyi never told friends or family she had been abused until after the
shooting. Her two brothers also testified that their father never was
abusive.
Burkard said she killed him because she did not want to live by his
rules and wanted to move in with her mother.
Berenyi appeared stunned as the verdict was read.
Her lawyer, Larry DiLabbio, fell back into his chair and onto the floor,
then had to be helped to his feet. He said he was "devastated" and
planned to appeal.
DiLabbio had described William Berenyi as a "classic batterer" with a
temper and a jealous streak that came out when his daughter spent time
with friends.
The jury deliberated for 12 hours over two days before reaching its
verdict.
Berenyi was convicted in 1996 of murder and was sent to prison, but the
conviction was overturned because she didn't receive a physical
examination after her arrest, as required by law for a juvenile.
A mistrial was declared because of alleged jury tampering at a second
trial in June.
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