Akron man sentenced for death of veteran

RAVENNA, Ohio - A 21-year-old Akron man will serve three years in prison for the death of an Iraq War veteran.  John Ragin Jr. received two years less than the maximum for involuntary manslaughter.

John White, 28, of Delaware, Ohio, suffered a serious head injury after he was punched twice in the face last January in downtown Kent.

During an emotional court hearing, White's mother, Margaret White, said she feared for her son's life while he served in the marines overseas, not on American soil. 

"I never dreamed that he'd die from a fist in Kent on Main Street two blocks away from where he lived," Margaret White told Portage County Common Pleas Court Judge John Enlow.

White was a graduate student at Kent State University, who was known for his strong opinions and intelligence, according to family and friends.

Prosecutors said White and Ragin bumped shoulders while crossing Main Street around 2 a.m. on Jan. 23.

Hallie Nupsl, who was with Ragin that night, hit White in the face, according to prosecutors. Moments later, Ragin assaulted White.

White fell backwards and hit his head on the concrete.  He had three brain surgeries, but died from a blood clot a month later at Akron City Hospital.

Ragin apologized to White's family on Tuesday afternoon in the courtroom. 

Outside the courthouse, there was an unusual scene as Ragin hugged some of White's friends and relatives.

"As of right now, I'm just working toward getting everything done and going through this sentence and making a better person out of myself when I get out," Ragin told NewsChannel5 after the hearing.

White's girlfriend, Morgan Marucco, said Ragin's apology seemed sincere. Marucco learned after John's death that he was planning to propose and had purchased a ring.

"I received it [the ring] the day we went to the funeral home, the first day we went to plan his arrangements.  I had no idea. He had bought it that Christmas. I would have said yes," Marucco said.

Judge Enlow ordered Ragin to report next week to begin serving his prison sentence.

Nupsl was scheduled to be sentenced on Tuesday for misdemeanor assault, but she asked to change her plea and her case was continued.