The man convicted of a motorcycle-hitman murder in Cuyahoga Falls will spend at least eight more years in prison.
John Zaffino’s first bid for parole was denied by the Ohio Parole Board. He will next be eligible in 2033.
Zaffino was sentenced to life in prison with possible parole after 23 years for the 2001 slaying of Jeff Zack. Zack was shot in June 2001 by a black-clad motorcycle rider at a Cuyahoga Falls gas station who then sped away.
Prosecutors said the killing was prompted by a love triangle involving Zaffino, Zack and Cindy George, the wife of former Tangier restaurant owner Ed George. Cindy George was convicted of helping Zaffino with the slaying but her conviction was overturned.
Zaffino had his first hearing before a parole board panel on Aug. 7. The panel voted 5-0 against his release. If the panel had recommended he be paroled, a hearing would have been held before the full board in which prosecutors and Zack’s family members could have spoken.
The parole board said in its decision that Zaffino has “displayed remorse and demonstrated insight,” but said he has not participated in programming “to help manage his risk to the community.”
“The harm to the community would be too great if (Zaffino) fails in the community,” the board said. “The board does not consider (Zaffino) suitable for release at this time.”
Zaffino, who has claimed to be innocent, declined an interview request from the Beacon Journal prior to his parole board hearing.
Elayne Zack, Jeff Zack’s mother, urged the parole board to keep Zaffino behind bars.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: John Zaffino is denied parole in 2001 motorcycle-hitman murder in Cuyahoga Falls
Reporting by Stephanie Warsmith, Akron Beacon Journal / Akron Beacon Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
