COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — A 17-year-old, previously convicted of involuntary manslaughter, has been sentenced to at least six months in the custody of Ohio Youth Services following a recent offense involving a stolen vehicle.
The ruling comes after the teen was apprehended in a stolen Kia near Franklin Park last month, just four months after his release on parole for the manslaughter conviction related to the death of 36-year-old Mathew Moshi in 2023. Franklin County Juvenile Court Magistrate Christopher Strefelt emphasized the teen's repeat offenses, stating, “You were released under parole. By September, you were doing the same things you were put in the Department of Youth Services in the first place.”
In December, the teen received a one-year sentence for the Thanksgiving weekend incident where he, at age 14, drove a stolen Kia and struck Moshi's vehicle, resulting in Moshi's death days later.
Moshi's widow, Qualitee Moshi, expressed her frustration with the legal system, commenting, “I feel disrespected by his actions and the court system… it's a complete slap in the face.” She hopes for a lengthier sentence, suggesting that time until the teen's 21st birthday might encourage better decision-making.
The teen pleaded guilty two weeks ago to violating parole related to Moshi's death and to new charges from the car theft. On Friday, the court imposed a 90-day sentence for the parole violation and mandated a minimum of six months for the recent offenses, allowing for up to a maximum commitment until his 21st birthday.