Mahoning County Woman Pleads Guilty to Abuse of a Corpse

(YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio) — Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost today announced that a Mahoning County woman, Katrina Layton, pleaded guilty for her role in the murder and dismemberment of Shannon Graves.

The agreement charges Layton with eight felony counts:

  • 4 counts of tampering with evidence (F3)
  • 3 counts of obstruction of justice (F3)
  • 1 count of abuse of a corpse (F5)

Layton will be sentenced on Jan. 29. The charges carry a sentence of up to 20 years in prison.

A previous plea agreement was vacated after Layton failed to fully cooperate with the state as agreed.

Arturo Novoa, aka Anthony Gonzalez, pleaded guilty to the murder and cover-up of Graves. He was sentenced to 48 years to life in prison.

The Youngstown Police Department, Mahoning County Sheriff’s Office, and the FBI investigated the case, which is being handled by Yost’s Special Prosecutions Section.