October 26, 2022
Immediate Press Release
Contact- Colleen M. O’Toole
216/509-5433
RE: State of Ohio vs. Thomas Joe Graley
Case Number: 21 CR 00504
The Office of Colleen M. O’Toole, Ashtabula County Prosecutor and Chief Assistant Prosecutor Dawn Cantalamessa have obtained a guilty plea on October 26, 2022 in regards to Thomas Joe Graley (Case Number: 21 CR 00504). Mr. Graley plead guilty to one (1) count of Aggravated Murder 2903.01. Mr. Graley was sentenced to twenty-five (25) years in prison with three hundred forty-six (346) days credited for time served.
Mr. Graley admitted to these charges and to abusing, beating and punishing his then girlfriend and the mother of his children. Who were forced to watch the repeated beatings of their mother for over three (3) weeks. The children are now safe and residing with family.
Mr. Graley videotaped many of the beatings, no one had come forward to report any of his behavior prior to the victim being hospitalized. She expired three (3) days later. The domestic violence had been going on behind closed doors for over two (2) years.
Prosecutor O’Toole sends condolences to the family. And promises to prosecute, discover and bring to justice perpetrators of family violence and those who conceal those actions.
Thank you to the Ashtabula County Sheriff’s Department for all of their hard work in bringing the Defendant to justice. Prosecutor O’Toole takes Domestic Violence crimes very seriously and will hold people accountable for any form of abuse.
