The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Medina man resentenced
Jeremy A. Diestler declined to speak at his Feb. 7 re-sentencing for the 2014 murder of Matthew Stinson.
“I took that as meaning the defendant didn’t wish to say anything, but I didn’t specifically state that on the record, and I can understand why the Court of Appeals thought I may have ignored the defendant and not given the opportunity to talk to me before I impose a sentence,”
— Common Pleas Judge James L. Miraldi
Jeremy A. Diestler declined to speak at his Feb. 7 re-sentencing for the 2014 murder of Matthew Stinson. Diestler, 34, formerly of Medina, initially was sentenced to 41 years to life in prison Feb. 21, 2017, after being found guilty by a Lorain County Common Pleas Court jury of aggravated murder, two counts of murder, three counts of felonious assault, improper discharge of a firearm into a habitation and tampering with evidence. His silence is notable because Diestler’s case was sent back on appeal because Common Pleas Judge James L. Miraldi did not actively give him a chance to speak before the sentence was handed down in 2017. Miraldi imposed the same sentence as he did in 2017. The judge apologized to Stinson’s family who traveled from Arizona to attend the hearing. “It was painful enough the first time,” he said. “I never thought this case would be returning to me.” Miraldi explained that at the initial sentencing hearing, Diestler’s attorney, Jack Bradley, said he would speak on his client’s behalf. “I took that as meaning the defendant didn’t wish to say anything, but I didn’t specifically state that on the record, and I can understand why the Court of Appeals thought I may have ignored the defendant and not given the opportunity to talk to me before I impose a sentence,” he said. Stinson’s father, Roy Stinson, again addressed the court before the sentence was pronounced and asked Miraldi to impose an even harsher prison term against Diestler. “Having worked in (the prison) system, I know that his family will be able to see him whereas we won’t be able to see Matthew,” Stinson said. “Matthew’s daughter won’t be able to show him her high school diploma, all those things we look forward to.” Throughout Roy Stinson’s oration, Diestler stared straight ahead toward the bench and showed no visible emotion. Roy Stinson spoke about his work with various councils and their findings that many people in prison just weren’t given direction. “This man took my son’s chance to do that,” he said. “At 25 years old, we can make several life changes before 50 years old. He won’t be able to do that.” He asked Miraldi to impose the stiffer penalty “as an example to those who want to pick up a weapon and lash out at somebody because you were angry.” “If you’re so angry,” he added, “why not do like men used to do in the old days? Go out in the backyard, take our shirts off and (fist fight) like men used to do.” Diestler had been buying heroin from Stinson and claimed the quality of the product had decreased. He shot Stinson 10 times with two separate guns Sept. 17, 2014, in the stairwell of Stinson’s Wesley Avenue apartment complex in Elyria.