Welch, Tartt sentenced in murder, robbery of couple

WASHINGTON, Pa. - Two men charged in the robbery and murders of a Carroll Township couple received lengthy jail terms Tuesday.

Washington County Common Pleas Judge Debbie O'Dell Seneca Tuesday sentenced Justin J. Welch, 21, of 911 Crest Ave., Apt. 3, Charleroi, and Tecko Dwayne Tartt, 22, formerly of Donora.

The shooter, Gerald Szakal, 27, of Webster, is scheduled to be sentenced today to a life sentence with no chance of parole.

Szakal was convicted Oct. 1 of robbing and fatally shooting retired Carroll Township police Chief Howard Springer, and his wife, Nancy, March 4, 2008, in their home at 1241 Highland Road.

Police said Szakal stole jewelry and rare coins from his mother's Rostraver Township house and sold them to the Springers, who operated a precious metals business out of their home. The prosecution contended Szakal murdered the couple because their business logs could have proved he committed the thefts.

Welch had agreed to plead guilty to two counts of conspiracy to commit homicide in exchange for his testimony against Szakal. O'Dell Seneca sentenced him to two consecutive terms of 10 to 20 years. He could spend 40 years in prison.

Tartt, who pleaded guilty to robbery and criminal conspiracy to commit robbery, was sentenced to 7 1/2 to 15 years in the state prison.

In August, Welch rejected a plea bargain that would have called for a sentence of 15 to 30 years in prison in exchange for his testimony.

After retaining a new attorney, Welch agreed last month to accept an open plea agreement from the district attorney's office. An open plea agreement means he was not promised any specific sentence.

District Attorney Steve Toprani said the sentence was appropriate for Welch's involvement in the crime.

"We recognize that he was centrally involved in the conspiracy and the crime," Toprani said. "That was why he was able to testify honestly and help us gain a conviction."

Victim-impact statements presented to the judge were no read during the sentencing hearings. No family members spoke during or after the court proceedings.

Toprani said a Springer family member might make a statement during Szakal's sentencing hearing today.

"The family is pleased with the sentence," Toprani said. "They are relieved that Mr. Welch will be held accountable for his actions."

During the sentencing of his client, attorney Jeff Watson said Tartt "expressed his remorse to law enforcement and, most importantly, the family."

He later said Tartt chose to not speak directly to the judge and family because he felt anything he said would not be sufficient.

"Mr. Tartt said he can't imagine the pain he caused the family and felt saying sorry isn't enough," Watson said.

O'Dell Seneca told Tartt he received "a sweetheart deal." The president judge said it was too lenient, but she accepted the plea bargain and the way the district attorney's office handled the case.

O'Dell Seneca said she was surprised by the revelation during the trial of Tartt's Web site, which included a photograph of Tartt wielding a handgun. The site featured the lyrics to a rap song that included the line "I clap my gun," a street slang for firing a weapon.

"It seems to me you felt that was OK because those were the words to a song," O'Dell said.

"Maybe you think its funny walking around with a gun like a gangster."

O'Dell Seneca told Tartt to "thank your lucky stars" that he did not find himself facing criminal conspiracy to commit homicide charges.

"Yes, ma'am," he softly replied.

She scolded him for going into hiding for a few weeks after the charges were filed in early March 2008. He was taken into custody April 17, 2008.

O'Dell Seneca said it was "mind boggling the disrespect for people and life and property and yourselves."

The judge said she must live with the gruesome images of the crime scene, including some photographs she did not let the jury see.

"The Springer family has to live with this," O'Dell Seneca said. "Words fail me."

As a part of the plea arrangement, Tartt agreed to not appeal his sentence.

Asked if the sentence for his client was too lenient, Watson said it was a reflection of Tartt's willingness to admit his involvement and cooperate in the prosecution of Szakal.

"It's one thing to say you're sorry, it's another to take affirmative steps to show your remorse," Watson said.

Asked why Tartt hid in the weeks following the shooting deaths, Watson said, "I can't answer that."

Toprani said the plea bargain reflected Tartt's willingness to cooperate fully.

"They're pleased we're nearing the end of this and looking forward to having some closure," Toprani said of the Springer family.

Toprani, who grew up next door to the victims and has remained close to the family, said he has tried to remain objective. He chose to have the case prosecuted by two of his assistant district attorneys.

"This case will remain with me," Toprani said. "I hope to get some closure from this."

On Monday, another defendant in the case, Gregory M. Carpenter, 54, of Charleroi, was sentenced to two to four years in prison for his role in the case.