Dog handler’s long and strange murder trial ends with a life sentence
A long and often strange trial ended this week with dog trainer Boris Panovski sentenced to life in prison with no chance at parole for 25 years for the firstdegree murder of a former client. But the sentencing was handed down only after the court heard an angry, rambling statement from Panovski protesting his innocence. He made the comments in front of victim Don Frigo’s family members. Panovski spoke for almost an hour before he was sentenced, referring to a thick sheaf of notes he took during the trial. He complained about how he was treated by police, hospital officials, his own lawyers and the Huron County justice system. Ultimately, Panovski, 74, painted himself as the real victim.
“I feel sorry for (Frigo’s) family, but I feel most sorry for myself because I am innocent and am going to jail for the rest of my life,” he said Thursday.
Panovski again claimed he had no quarrel with Frigo and no motive to kill him, noting he voluntarily returned from a visit to his homeland of Macedonia after he became a suspect in the murder. Justice Joseph Donohue also imposed an eight-year sentence to be served concurrently for Panovski’s aggravated assault on Eva Willer Frigo, who was wounded when her husband was killed by Panovski. Donohue called the murder a “callous act of cruelty.”
Willer Frigo delivered a victimimpact statement along with Frigo’s three grown daughters. Accompanied by a service dog, Willer Frigo said she has been in a constant state of fear since the murder, has been unable to work and has undergone intense therapy. “I saw my husband being executed before my own eyes. I feel guilty that I could not help him and that I survived.”
Panovski’s lawyers have indicated they will appeal the convictions. The Crown argued that Panovski had killed Frigo, who ran a successful construction company, because Panovski had been shunned from the hunting dog community. After Panovski had won national championships with dogs owned by wine magnate Gabe Magnotta — accomplishments he crowed about during the trial — he was arrested for pandering and indecent exposure in Waynesboro, Ga. That led to his professional downfall. Frigo took Panovski’s name off a dog he had hired Panovski to train, and the Crown argued that’s what ultimately prompted the shooting.