17-year-old girl sentenced for murder at Stark County park

Published: May. 22, 2023 at 7:28 AM EDT|Updated: May. 22, 2023 at 11:06 AM EDT
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STARK COUNTY, Ohio (WOIO) - The 17-year-old girl convicted of fatally stabbing a man at a Louisville park in September 2022 was sentenced by Stark County Court of Common Pleas Judge Natalie Haupt Monday morning.

Marissa Smith, who was tried as an adult for the crime, was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after serving 15 years.

Her jury trial began on May 8 and on May 12, a jury found Smith guilty of murder and felonious assault.

Smith stabbed Michael Morris, 22, of Alliance, on Sept. 13, 2022 at Wildwood Park at 500 Stertzbach Ave.

Morris died at the hospital from a stab wound to the chest.

A 15-year-old male is charged with providing the knife to Smith.

He is charged with aiding and abetting in murder and felonious assault, aggravated criminal trespass and carrying a concealed weapon. His case will remain in juvenile court.