Homeless Man Sentenced To Life In Prison For Lakewood Murder

LAKEWOOD, OH — A homeless man was sentenced on Thursday to life in prison for the fatal stabbing of Lakewood resident Maurice Goins.

Charles Muscatello, 39, was arrested in June 2018 after a 10-month investigation by police. Muscatello was charged with murder and later pleaded guilty to an array of charges, including murder, aggravated burglary, and aggravated robbery.

On Thursday, he was given a sentence of life in prison by Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge Michael Shaughnessy. Muscatello will be eligible for parole after serving 20 years, according to cleveland.com.

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In August 2017, Goins was found dead in his Madison Avenue apartment. He had been stabbed several times in his head and neck, police said at the time. Evidence found inside the apartment linked Goins and Muscatello, leading to Muscatello's eventual arrest.

Police said Goins and Muscatello were acquaintances.

Muscatello had a history of criminal actions, having previously been charged with burglary, theft, obstruction of official business, and robbery.