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

[Butterfly Girl]

South Toledo husband and wife make pleas in shooting plot.


John Clarke, 46, of the 400 block of Danberry Street, was then found guilty by Judge Gene Zmuda of felonious assault with a one-year firearm specification for firing a shot at Tiffany Williams on Dec. 26, 2014.

Vazquez-Clarke Vazquez-Clarke
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His wife, Maytee Vazquez-Clarke, 45, was found guilty of retaliation for taking a cell phone call on the same date that directed her where to find Ms. Williams and relaying that information to her husband.

Prosecutors have alleged that the couple wanted to kill Ms. Williams because they believed she was involved in the 2011 murder of their son, Johnny Clarke, 21. The younger Clarke and his girlfriend, Lisa Straub, 20, were bound and asphyxiated in Ms. Straub's parents' Springfield Township home.

Clarke faces up to nine years in prison when he is sentenced July 8, while Vazquez-Clarke faces a maximum of three years in prison.

Also charged in the case is now-retired Toledo Police Lt. Frank Ramirez, 59, of the 5900 block of Tetherwood Drive, who allegedly assisted in the plot by giving Vazquez-Clarke information about Ms. Williams' whereabouts the night of the shooting.

As part of the Clarkes' plea agreements, both agreed they would cooperate with prosecutors and testify against Mr. Ramirez at this trial, which Judge Zmuda set for Aug. 29.


So they're throwing the cop under the bus.

[Duchess]

So they're throwing the cop under the bus.

He'll have the opportunity to explain his side of the story, right?

Thanks so much for posting the update!

[Duchess]

They both entered Alford pleas. Hear me snort. Now they're going to snitch.

[Butterfly Girl]

5/23/2016 47 Title : TRIAL RESCHED AT JOINT REQUEST
764-000017973 issued by 381 ()
May 23, 2016. Court Reporter LYNETTE SHINDORF, Assistant
Prosecutor BRIAN DECKERT and MICAH AULT, JON D.
RICHARDSON, RICHARD WALINSKI and NATHAN OSWALD all present
on behalf of the Defendant, and Defendant FRANK RAMIREZ
present in court.
Matter called for trial. Motion granted pursuant to the
request of both the Defendant and the State of Ohio to
continue trial date. Pursuant to R.C. 2945.02, ends of
justice required continuance.
Today's trial date is ordered vacated and rescheduled for
trial on August 29, 2016 at 9:00 a.m.
Counsel voluntarily withdraws pending motion in Limine
regarding cell phone testimony. The State of Ohio joins
in on Defendant's Motion for Separation of Witnesses and
the Court grants the same.
Bond is ordered continued.
JUDGE GENE A. ZMUDA
PARTY : D3 - RAMIREZ FRANK
5/23/2016 49 Title : SB2 PLEA ENTERED
796-000003410 issued by 381 ()
May 23, 2016. Court Reporter LYNETTE SHINDORF, Assistant
Prosecutor JOHN CLARKE, RONNIE L. WINGATE on behalf of
the Defendant, and Defendant JOHN CLARKE present in
court.
Defendant voluntarily withdraws all pending motions.
Defendant, in open Court, withdrew previous plea of not
guilty, orally and in writing, waived all constitutional
rights, and entered plea of guilty pursuant to North
Carolina v. Alford to the offense of Ct. 10 (previously
Ct 1 in case CR21501022) FELONIOUS ASSAULT in violation of
R.C. 2903.11(A)(2)(&(D) a felony of the 2^nd degree and the
lesser included firearm specification in violation of R.C.
2941.141.
Plea accepted. Defendant found guilty. Written plea and
journal entry ordered filed.
Defendant referred to the Pretrial/Presentence Department
for presentence investigation and report. Matter set for
sentencing on July 8, 2016 at 9:00 a.m.
Bond is ordered continued.
JUDGE GENE A. ZMUDA
PARTY : D1 - CLARKE JOHN
5/23/2016 51 Title : INFO/SB2 PLEA ENTERED
798-000001911 issued by 381 ()
May 23, 2016. Court Reporter LYNETTE SHINDORF, Assistant
Prosecutor BRIAN DECKERT and MICAH AULT. JEROME PHILLIPS
on behalf of Defendant, and Defendant MAYTEE CLARKE
present in court.
Defendant voluntarily withdraws all pending motions.
Defendant advised of nature of charge and right to grand
jury presentment. Defendant, orally and in writing,
waived prosecution by indictment. Written waiver ordered
filed.
Defendant acknowledged receipt of a copy of information,
waived any defects as to time, place or manner of service,
and waived its reading in open Court. Defendant entered a
plea of North Carolina v. Alford to the offense of Ct.
15, RETALIATION in violation of R.C. 2921.05 a FELONY of
the 3^RD degree. Pursuant to statements made by the State
of Ohio, plea accepted. Defendant found guilty. Written
plea and journal entry ordered filed.
Defendant referred to the Pretrial/Presentence Department
for presentence investigation and report. Matter set for
sentencing on July 8, 2016 at 9:00 a.m.
Bond is ordered set at OR as to count 15. All other bonds
are continued. Defendant ordered to be transported to the
Lucas County Corrections Center to be fingerprinted and
released immediately.
JUDGE GENE A. ZMUDA
PARTY : D2 - CLARKE MAYTEE
5/23/2016 53 Title : EVT:CASE CONSOLIDATION - CRIM
D-1 G-4801-CR-0201501022-000 CONSOLIDATED INTO THIS CASE
AS D-1 (SEE 4/25/16 ORDER)
COUNT 1 FROM CR201501022 IS COUNT 10 IN THIS CASE
(SEE 5/23/16 PLEA)
PARTY : D1 - CLARKE JOHN
5/23/2016 54 Title : EVT:CASE CONSOLIDATION - CRIM
D-2 ON G-4801-CR-0201501022-000 CONSOLIDATED INTO THIS CASE
AS D-2 (SEE 4/25/16 ORDER)
COUNT 2 FROM CR201501022 IS COUNT 12 IN THIS CASE
(SEE 5/23/16 PLEA)
___________________________________________________________
D-1 ON G-4801-CR-0201501293-000 CONSOLIDATED INTO THIS CASE
AS D-2 (SEE 4/25/16 ORDER)
COUNT 1 FROM CR201501293 IS COUNT 9 IN THIS CASE
(SEE 5/23/16 PLEA)
(SEE ALSO INFORMATION FILED 5/23/16 - COUNT 15)
PARTY : D2 - CLARKE MAYTEE
5/23/2016 55 Title : EVT:CASE CONSOLIDATION - CRIM
D-2 G-4801-CR-0201501293-000 CONSOLIDATED INTO THIS CASE
AS D-3 (SEE 4/25/16 ORDER)
COUNT 2 FROM CR201501293 IS COUNT 11 IN THIS CASE
COUNT 3 FROM CR201501293 IS COUNT 14 IN THIS CASE
COUNT 4 FROM CR201501293 IS COUNT 13 IN THIS CASE
(SEE 5/23/16 PLEA)
PARTY : D3 - RAMIREZ FRANK

[Butterfly Girl]

So they're throwing the cop under the bus.

He'll have the opportunity to explain his side of the story, right?

Thanks so much for posting the update!

Franks trial is on Aug 29,2016 Maytee and John took a plea deal and have been charged with lesser charges and now they're going to testify against Frank. So yes he gets his day in court. Does this mean Maytee and John are safe from what he may say about them and their involvement?

[Duchess]

Does this mean Maytee and John are safe from what he may say about them and their involvement?

That's what I'm wondering.

[Older Than Dirt]

My son, Mustang, who is very close to Lisa's family, and shared when the trials were going on, just sent me a message ?

[Older Than Dirt]

not a question, but a comment! !

[Duchess]

Can you share his comment, OTD?

I remember Mustang, he gave us reports during Sam's trial.

[an0n]

I'd like to hear too, as I used to be very close with Lisa until high school

[Older Than Dirt]

His comment was very brief. I did just read that John could get 9 years and his wonderful wife could get 3 years. That's apparently because they are going to throw Ramirez under the bus.Go figure !

[HairOfTheDog]

So they're throwing the cop under the bus.

He'll have the opportunity to explain his side of the story, right?

Thanks so much for posting the update!

Franks trial is on Aug 29,2016 Maytee and John took a plea deal and have been charged with lesser charges and now they're going to testify against Frank. So yes he gets his day in court. Does this mean Maytee and John are safe from what he may say about them and their involvement?

I'd be surprised if the Clarkes don't have immunity against anything Ramirez might allege. I think prosecutors already know exactly what the Clarkes did though. And still, they dropped the attempted murder charges.

I don't know if the prosecutor believed there was too much room for reasonable doubt, or if they figured a jury would be too sympathetic to the Clarkes, or what. But, I think it's clear the prosecution really wants to take Ramirez down. He's been in serious trouble before and it seems he has enemies up and down the department. He's a stain.

I'm very curious to hear the Clarkes' sentencing on July 8^th.

[Duchess]

No justice for Tiffany.

[Butterfly Girl]

Toledo couple accused of threatening witness plead guilty.


A Toledo couple accused of threatening a witness in their son's murder trial have pleaded guilty.


Toledo couple, former police lieutenant indicted on attempted murder charges
John and Maytee Clarke admitted in court Monday to assaulting a woman in December of 2014. According to police reports, the couple followed Tiffany Williams, a known friend of their son, through an alley before stopping their vehicle. John then fired two shots at Williams, just missing her head, before fleeing the scene.

John pleaded guilty to felonious assault with a gun and could face 3 to 9 years in jail. Maytee pleaded guilty to one count of retaliation and could face anywhere from 9 to 36 months in jail. Her plea was an Alfred Plea, meaning she does not admit to committing a crime.

Both of the Clarkes are out on bond pending their sentencing, which won’t come until after the trial of former Toledo Police Officer Lt. Frank Ramirez.

He's facing several charges connected to the case, including attempted murder.

Ramirez has a court date set for the end of August. Both John and Maytee could be called to testify.


I hope they get the MAX!

[HairOfTheDog]

Well, it'll be interesting to hear the evidence in Ramirez's trial. Not much has been released in terms of the case against him specifically, but he's sure been left holding the biggest bag. I wonder if he knew yesterday that the Clarkes were gonna Alford plea or if he was instead taken by surprise, on the first day of the joint trial no less.

I don't think the attempted murder charges against the Clarkes would have been dropped unless they agreed to testify against Ramirez, if called.

The court docs show John and Maytee's sentencing hearing is scheduled for July 8^th. Ramirez is scheduled to go to trial in August. If John and Maytee are called as witnesses for the Ramirez prosecution, it'll be interesting. Two accomplices to the crimes charged with long criminal records might not hold much credibility for any jury. I could easily see Ramirez's defense attorneys painting them as self-serving liars who would say anything to get their charges reduced (which is probably accurate).

[Duchess]

"Although an Alford plea allows a defendant to plead guilty amid assertions of innocence, it does not require a court to accept those assertions. The sentencing court may, of necessity, consider a broad range of information, including the evidence of the crime, the defendant's criminal history and the demeanor of the defendant, including the presence or absence of remorse."

Aha!

[Butterfly Girl]

This is confusing I wonder IF it is accurate..........

Both of the Clarkes are out on bond pending their sentencing, which won’t come until after the trial of former Toledo Police Officer Lt. Frank Ramirez.

He's facing several charges connected to the case, including attempted murder.

Ramirez has a court date set for the end of August. Both John and Maytee could be called to testify.

Maytee and Johns sentencing date is in July and Ramirez has a date of August.

[Duchess]

I found that curious too.

[ramseycat]

Maytee needs way more time in jail than 9-36 months.

[Older Than Dirt]

That is an under statement.