Verdict brings tears of joy

By Sherris Moreira-Byers
Herald Staff Writer

Family and friends of a slain Hubbard Township couple burst into tears when a Trumbull County jury announced Wednesday it had found Scott Burrows guilty of murdering his elderly neighbors, Charles and Dorothy London.

“I was very nervous, but now I’m relieved,” said the Londons’ daughter-in-law, Anne. “I’m so happy! I’m very happy with this,” she said, tears rolling down her smiling face. Her husband, Paul, the Londons’ son was enroute from his Boardman home when the verdict was read.

After deliberating for a total of 11 hours, the jury found Burrows, 19, of 3447 Broadway Ave. S.E., guilty of two counts of aggravated murder, two counts of kidnapping, aggravated burglary, aggravated robbery and seven aggravating specifications.

Burrows, along with Mark Worley, 21, of Youngstown, were charged with stabbing the Londons to death, kidnapping them and robbing their Broadway Avenue home on Dec. 15. Worley will be tried in September.

The seven specifications, three for London and four for his wife, include the purposeful killing of two or more people; committing, attempting to commit or fleeing immediately after a kidnapping and robbery; and murdering a witness to escape detection or punishment for other offenses.

Paula Robinson, a longtime neighbor of the Londons and of Burrows, also cried when the verdict was read. “He (Charles London) was a very kindhearted person; both of them. Dorothy always had a smile on her face.”

She had a different description of Burrows, however. “I had several incidents with him, not good, with my kids,” she said.

“I know he didn’t have much of a home life. I would see him and his brother walking to Hardee’s late at night to get some dinner,” Mrs. Robinson said. “I can’t believe there could be so much evil in a person.”

Burrows’ father, Mark, who came from Indiana to watch the trial, said he was “beyond words” over the guilty verdict.

Defense Attorney Anthony Consoldane had little to say about his courtroom loss but did say, “In this, you always expect the worst and hope for the best.”

According to court officials, Burrows will likely receive the death penalty or life without parole, since he was found guilty of all the aggravating specifications.

Court will reconvene at 9 a.m. Monday when the jury will begin hearing evidence for and against the death penalty.

Burrows’ mother, Terry, who reared him, moved to California in April and did not attend the trial.

This was the first capital case for Judge Andrew Logan.

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