Guysville man sentenced for murdering Athens County resident
Justin Anthony Pennington, 37, of Guysville, appeared before Athens County Common Pleas Court Judge Patrick Lang May 25 for sentencing. Pennington was previously found guilty by a jury of his peers of murder, an unclassified felony; involuntary manslaughter, a felony of the first degree; two counts of felonious assault, felonies of the second degree; and breaking and entering, a felony of the fifth degree.
Pennington went to the home of the victim in Lodi Township, Athens County, and brutally assaulted him on June 13, 2021. He left the victim for dead, walking to the victim’s daughter’s home and telling her that he “just beat the pulp out of her father, he is laying on the porch and she better go check on him,” according to a report from the Athens County Sheriff’s Office.
When paramedics arrived on scene, the victim was unresponsive, with blood pooling in his nose, ears and mouth. He was taken by EMS to O’Bleness, where he ultimately succumbed to his injuries.
Less than an hour after Pennington caused that victim’s death, he assaulted another victim on Fossil Rock Road with an aluminum baseball bat.
The Court also found that Pennington violated the terms and conditions of his previously ordered community control cases, for which he was previously convicted of multiple counts of receiving stolen property and identity fraud, all felonies of the fifth degree. The Court revoked Pennington’s community control and imposed a total prison term of four years and 11 months for those matters.
After hearing arguments from the state, the victim’s wife and daughter provided victim impact statements to the Court. Both expressed how drastically their lives have changed since the death of their father and husband and the fact that they would never be able to forgive Pennington for taking whom the victim’s wife stated was “the love of her life.”
The defense was given an opportunity to argue its recommendations for sentencing, and then Pennington was given the opportunity to speak. Pennington addressed the victim’s family directly, telling them that he didn’t expect them to forgive him, wished them well and stated he was “sorry, very sorry.”
The Court then announced Pennington’s sentence for murder, involuntary manslaughter, two counts of felonious assault and breaking and entering, wherein Pennington received a minimum 23 years to life. With the addition of the community control violations, Pennington’s total prison term for all matters is 27 years, 11 months to life in prison.
Athens County Prosecutor Keller Blackburn states that, “Numerous individuals put a lot of time and effort into seeing that justice was served. I am grateful to be surrounded by a wonderful staff and local law enforcement that continue to ensure that justice for the citizens of Athens County is a top priority.”
This case was investigated by the Athens County Sheriff’s Office with assistance provided by the Athens County Prosecutor’s Office.