Attorney appointed for murder suspect

7/16/2004

FREMONT - A Toledo attorney was appointed yesterday to represent a defendant in what is Sandusky County's third capital murder case in three years.

Adrian Cimerman will be one of two attorneys - the second is yet unnamed - in the case of Jeffrey Zenowicz, 33, of Marblehead, Ohio, who's facing a nine-count indictment for the July 3 deaths of his former girlfriend, Claudia J. Fonseca, 40, and Leslie D. Slone, 30, both of Fremont.

Mr. Zenowicz faces four counts of aggravated murder, as well as two counts of murder and one count each of attempted aggravated arson, aggravated burglary, and tampering with evidence.

The attempted aggravated arson charge stems from Mr. Zenowicz's unsuccessful attempt to burn down the Rice Township home after he allegedly committed the murders there, authorities said.

John Kolesar, an assistant Sandusky County prosecutor, said Mr. Zenowicz confessed to authorities after the crime.

During the interrogation, Mr. Zenowicz said more or less that if he couldn't have Ms. Fonseca, no one would, authorities have said. She ended their relationship earlier this year.

Andrew Lockshin, a Fremont attorney who initially was assigned to the case, said yesterday that Mr. Zenowicz is aware of the charges against him - and that they include death-penalty specifications. The attorney declined to comment specifically about the charges.

Mr. Zenowicz is in the Erie County jail pending arraignment Monday in Sandusky County Common Pleas Court.

Mr. Lockshin asked to have Mr. Zenowicz moved to the Erie County jail a week ago because Ms. Fonseca's father is a corrections officer at the Sandusky County jail.