Johnny S. Clarke & Lisa Straub- young Ohio couple murdered

[Duchess]

Who thinks Maytee would have offed herself?

Pfft. Not me.

[Butterfly Girl]

Parents, officer sent to jail in Clarke case Victim says she was stalked after son’s death

Before sending all three of them to prison Monday, a Lucas County judge had scathing words for a South Toledo couple who tried to avenge their son’s death and the longtime Toledo police officer who helped them.

Others have lost sons tragically, Common Pleas Judge Gene Zmuda told them, but “it doesn’t lead to this kind of behavior, this criminal conduct that you three perpetrated in our community.”

Judge Zmuda sentenced 31-year police veteran Frank Ramirez to four years in prison for obstructing justice and tampering with evidence. He sentenced John Clarke, 47, of the 400 block of Danberry Street, to four years in prison for felonious assault and a firearm specification and ordered his wife, Maytee Vazquez-Clarke, 45, to spend two years in prison for retaliation.



“I think people would be astonished at what [this case] exposed,” the judge said. “It’s the underbelly of our community — that interface between law enforcement and criminal conduct and how sometimes that thin blue line is crossed.”

Ramirez, 60, of the 5900 block of Tetherwood Drive, was convicted at trial of the two felonies and a misdemeanor charge of discharge of a firearm over a roadway, while the Clarkes entered into plea agreements that required them to testify at Ramirez’s jury trial earlier this month.

The judge initially granted Vazquez-Clarke’s request to remain free until Wednesday so that she could make arrangements for the couple’s 13-year-old son, but her attorney, Jerome Phillips, said the judge rescinded that privilege and ordered her into protective custody after she threatened suicide to court deputies.

The trio’s crimes stem from the 2011 murder of Johnny Clarke, 21, and his girlfriend, Lisa Straub, 20, in Springfield Township. While one man was convicted and sentenced to life in prison without parole for the murders, investigators believe others were involved.

The Clarkes testified that Tiffany Williams, who was the last person to speak with their son before he was killed, knew more about the slaying than she was telling. They wanted her to come forward with that information, although prosecutors alleged the Clarkes wanted her dead.

On Dec. 26, 2014, with information from Ramirez, they went to a Colburn Street location where Clarke testified he fired a shot in the air to scare Ms. Williams. Prosecutors maintained he fired at least two shots in her direction in what was initially portrayed as attempted murder.

The judge called Clarke “a calculated liar” and said Vazquez-Clarke was “a vicious predator trying to seek out street justice” for the death of their son.

“His loss doesn’t give anyone the right to take the law into their own hands as the three of you did for various reasons,” Judge Zmuda said. “All three of you are each, I think, hellbent on obtaining street justice in your own way.”

Ms. Williams asked the court to send the Clarkes to prison, saying they had harassed and threatened her since Jan. 31, 2011 — the day after the younger Clarke and Ms. Straub were asphyxiated with plastic bags in an apparent home invasion.

“They harassed me in every way possible: phone calls, social media, coming by my house, and threatening the lives of my children,” Ms. Williams said. “Maytee and John would know every move I made. Your honor, I was stalked.”

She didn’t mention Ramirez and testified during his trial that she didn’t know him.

The Clarkes both apologized for their actions. Clarke said he hoped Ms. Williams still would testify about what she knows about their son’s murder. His wife said she wished Ms. Williams had called police the night she was talking with their son on the phone and heard him struggling with intruders.

Ramirez said simply that he respected the criminal justice system, the jury, and the verdict. He later said he would not appeal his conviction.

While defense attorney Jon Richardson portrayed Ramirez’s involvement as “misguided zeal,” Judge Zmuda told Ramirez that he had manipulated the Clarkes and preyed upon Vazquez-Clarke’s vulnerability.

“Some might think the hardest thing to accept is that a police officer would stoop to the level of criminals he has spent a lifetime prosecuting, unless of course this isn’t the first time that's occurred,” the judge said.

Brian Deckert, a senior assistant attorney general who served as a special prosecutor in the case, said it was clear the court took “public corruption” seriously.

“This is a situation where [Ramirez] was tasked with upholding the law, enforcing it, and rather than doing that, he went and lied to his fellow officers, destroyed evidence. These are not the acts of a police officer we trust,” Mr. Deckert said.

http://www.toledoblade.com/Courts/2016/0...death.html

[HairOfTheDog]

I understand the disappointment with the relatively short sentences, especially for Maytee. But, I'm relieved that she didn't get probation. I figured Ramirez and Big John would do at least a few years, but was afraid she might not have to spend any time behind bars.

This case is terribly sad. The Straubs have to live without Lisa, the Clarkes have to live without Johnny, and all the criminal Clarkes and the long-dirty cop Ramirez accomplished was fucking themselves over and making fools of themselves. I think Toledo is a little safer with all of them off the streets, for awhile anyway. I don't know if they're right or wrong about Tiffany, but I don't believe they were only trying to scare her.

Like the Clarkes, I hope one day any others involved or in-the-know about the murders will be held accountable. I don't think the Clarkes and Ramirez are wrong about Sam Williams not acting alone. I'd hoped the investigation into Ramirez, Maytee and Big John's assault on Tiffany would uncover more information about Lisa and Johnny's murders, but it doesn't appear to have done so. Maybe some day the whole story will come out if someone cracks or gives up info to get a deal on unrelated crimes.

[Butterfly Girl]

http://www.13abc.com/content/news/Retire...01261.html

This shows the sentencing. Maytee was removed from court because of an outburst. Not surprising lol

Heres another video. The judge ripped Maytee a new one . Boy did Maytee gain the weight shes a cow!

http://www.wtol.com/clip/12741423/former...urder-plot

[HairOfTheDog]

Just caught up with the last couple pages of this thread.

It's great to see koko, Snoopy and Sonny posting in here again; been a long time.

Clean-minded Sonny, huh? I'll believe it when I see it.

[Duchess]

Clean-minded Sonny, huh? I'll believe it when I see it.

Please make him stay. PLEASE!

I really wish you could.

[Sonny223]

Lol, 3 things to consider....


1. Frank will be spending his sentence in PC, I'm guessing. Maybe not??
2. Big John might run into Sam or Cam while in prison. Depending where they put him.
3. Maytee will not be able to use the internet.

[HairOfTheDog]

Yeah, I too wondered if the corrections system would make a point of keeping Big John out of proximity to either Sam or Cam, Mr. Clean.

Maytee hasn't been able to post much on the internet since her arrest a year and a half ago anyway; no doubt on attorney's orders. What she'd already posted for all to see (for three years running) was damning enough and definitely worked against her in court. In the sentencing video Butterfly Girl posted, Judge Zmuda made a point of telling Maytee those weren't the words of a grieving mother, but instead a criminal predator.

At the end of that video, Maytee's attorney essentially said that having a child murdered is a huge challenge for any parent and when a parent already has a history of mental and emotional instability, some seriously bad shit can go down. I got the impression that Jerome thinks she's right where she belongs now.

[Duchess]

I'd love to know what Tiffany thinks of the sentences. I'd be interested in reading what the last few years have been like for her too.

Tiff, if you're reading, call me.

[MrCrowley]

It's over, they are serving their time, so you all can get back to your own lives now. Stop harassing this family, it's pathetic.

[Duchess]

It's over, they are serving their time, so you all can get back to your own lives now. Stop harassing this family, it's pathetic.

Bwahaha! You must be joking. I might come into this thread everyday and give thanks for them being behind bars. You don't like that, tough shit. I don't have one single fuck to give. Those crazy bastards spent years threatening others and insulting Lisa's family. They tried to kill Tiffany. It's only a shame they weren't given more time.

[HairOfTheDog]

It's over, they are serving their time, so you all can get back to your own lives now. Stop harassing this family, it's pathetic.

We follow criminal cases and trials here, Mr. Crowley. It's something we do as a small part of our lives.

We followed the murders of Lisa and Johnny, the trials of Sam and Cam, the attempted murder case, and the trials/convictions of criminals Maytee Clarke, John Clarke, and Frank Ramirez.

Is chastising people for what they post on the internet your life's mission?

[Butterfly Girl]

It's over, they are serving their time, so you all can get back to your own lives now. Stop harassing this family, it's pathetic.

Yeah FUCK YOU! If i didn't know better I'd think Maytee has internet in the slammer.

[MrCrowley]

You're no better than any of them.

[HairOfTheDog]

You're no better than any of them.

I didn't say or imply that I was better than anyone else overall, Mr. Crowley.

But, I will say that I've suffered great loss and didn't turn to threatening, hunting, and shooting at people to cope with it. And, I didn't neglect other dependents and loved ones so I could pursue criminal activities. So, I'm better than them in those specific regards.

Anyway, I have compassion for both the Straubs and Clarkes losing their children to such a terrible crime. I wish the Clarkes had conducted themselves differently and sought help. But, the judge got it right, in my opinion. He said that sadly many families lose children to violence and other means; very few hunt and prey on others in the aftermath.

The Clarkes are a danger to others' lives left to their own devices. Why do you think you're better than those of us who don't support murderers, attempted murderers, assailants, and dirty cops?

[Older Than Dirt]

I am so glad that Butterfly girl was able to post articles that I would not have been able to do. Judge Zmuda had his hands full. From what I have been told Ramirez was always a shady cop. Maytee is a mess. Big shame that the Catholic school that the youngest boy attended had to remove him from the school because of the behavior of his parents. I still feel bad for the Straubs because Pettaway was not convicted..

[truth be told]

Judge Zmuda- (sentencing)
"I have thought about this case a lot, since the beginning knowing that we have a sentencing this morning. There's a lot that can be said about the incident, that gave rise to the charges, which resulted in the two pleas, trial and conviction. There's a lot that probably should be said. If one knew nothing of you and just watched the trial....I think that people would be astonished at what it exposed. It's the under belly of our community...that interface between law enforcement and criminal conduct. Sometimes that thin blue line is crossed...because you see that thin blue line Mr. Ramirez, is all that separates criminal conduct from our community". "Justice for Johnny...there is no justice for Johnny. Your actions belie that both you Mrs. Clarke and Mr. Clarke. The reality is there is something else going on deeper inside of both of you. I think it's the guilt that your are unwilling to acknowledge. You see, Johnny was more than just a son. He was a nephew, he was a team mate, he was a co-worker, he was a grand son, he was a buddy. He lived in this community and his loss doesn't give anybody to take the law into their own hands...which the three of you did for various reasons'.
"John, your testimony and the truth only appear to align when it suited your purpose. I think your, a sophisticated word is mendacious. Your just a calculated liar. You can't help yourself but lie. As engaging as you attempted to be on stand, you only testified truthfully when you thought it could help your case out".
"To Maytee Clarke, you have I think, successfully accomplished this...I am suffering from mental illness, I have lost my son and I can barely survive persona. But there's two tales. Two sides that indicate behind that veneer is a calculated person that contributed, helped orchestrate all of the steps leading up to the attempted murder of the defendant".

"It doesn't matter who the person is in our community. If their the President of the United States or the worst criminal that's ever walked the face of the earth. We all have rights. We all have the protection of being able to live within this community and when you take the law into your own hands and say...you know what it's because she's a prostitute and a drug dealer, her life doesn't matter...then you become judge and jury. That we can't have. Because to have that destroys the very foundation of our society. "Sadly, your actions depict lives that are out of control".

[Duchess]

You're no better than any of them.

Of course we are. Waaaaay better.

Why would you defend these people? They are nothing more than common white trash. They lie, cheat & steal.

I thought it was hilarious that Maytee's big, fat mouth got her sent straight to the slammer rather than having a couple days to surrender herself. Hehehe.

[Sonny223]

Karma finally caught up with Maytee. It's true you receive what you put out. Jerry may not get paid either.

[HairOfTheDog]

Karma finally caught up with Maytee. It's true you receive what you put out. Jerry may not get paid either.

Man, imagine having to defend Maytee and keep her reigned in. Gotta suck for Jerome if he gets stiffed to boot.

Anyhow, I hope your little one is doing well and your meditation was beneficial, Sonny.

If you have time, I'd be interested in reading your thoughts in the Presidential Election and Police Brutality threads. If you're just too busy to mingle around here, eat a bag of dicks!