Betras Kopp

10/15/2026

Another victory for justice and the rule of law…

The 46-year-old man was to appear in Warren Municipal Court on Thursday on the felony charge, but it was dismissed Thursday.

10/15/2026

Immediately after a person was killed and others were hurt while riding the Goliath roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia on Monday, the company temporarily shut down nine similar hypercoasters in six of its theme parks across North America.

On tomorrow’s episode of Legally Speaking BK Managing Shareholder David Betras will discuss whether the company is liable for the death and injuries or if park goers assume risk when they decide to climb aboard the coasters.

Tune in just after 6:30 to hear David’s take…

10/14/2026

We have good news and bad news today.

First, thegood news, Mahor League Baseball has changed the start time of tomorrow’s Guardians/Rays game from 6 PM to 1 PM. That means Legally Speaking, the nation’s longest running and most popular legal advice podcast which had been preempted will be on the air.

The bad news: WKBN has yet to deliver the equipment we need to stream video of the show over our social media platforms.

That means another week of gathering around the Philco.

Although you won’t be able to watch the show, as always, you can listen live from 5 PM to 6 PM on WKBN 570 Am and online via the iHeart radio app. You can also listen to archived episodes on all major podcast apps including Apple and Spotify.

That means we’ll be available to answer your questions about DUI, divorce and child custody, wills and estates, car and truck crashes, felonies, or who is responsible to pay for damage caused by falling tree limbs and gaping potholes—you just won’t be able to see us as we formulate our answers.

Now, grab grandma and the kids, fire up the Philco and get ready to catch the radio signals as they fly through the air

10/13/2026

https://youtu.be/hwB7T7rxKQ0

Well, whatta ya know, October 5 was actually the first Monday of the month which meant BK Managing Partner David Betras spent the morning of the set of WFMJ Today answering legal questions from viewers and dispensing indispensable advice.

Watch the video to check out the queries and David’s top-notch answers and remember David will back in the studio on Monday, November 2. If you need help or advice call 330-744-8821 during the show or submit your question via email: [email protected] or message David via the WFMJ Today page.

As always, thanks for watching and, please do us a solid by mashing thee “Like,” Subscribe,” and “Share” buttons so we can reach a wider audience with our content

Well, whatta ya know, October 5 was actually the first Monday of th...

10/11/2026

https://youtu.be/LVGfx_yHkHc

It’s Week 5 and the Heart of a Champion World has been turned upside down. The Browns enter the week 3-1, The Commodore is in second place, Mark the Shark had a remarkable week, while Daniel, Frank, and Jim couldn’t pick their mothers out of a lineup.

Check out this week’s picks, things are getting interesting.

It’s Week 5 and the Heart of a Champion World has been turned upsid...

10/10/2026

https://youtu.be/6PwGBSPQb8c

As host Steve Vesey notes at the beginning of this episode of Legally Speaking on WFMJ Today, there are a little over three weeks remaining in the 2026 political attack ad season. BK Managing Shareholder David Betras joined Steve to discuss the law governing—or as David says—don’t govern the onslaught of ads that seem to pour out of our TV screens, computers, and phones all day every day.
David began the discussion by stating that Political speech is the most protected form of expression in the United States. “Once upon we had the Ohio Elections Commission which would sanction candidates or PACs that made false statements,” Betras said. “But that process was ruled unconstitutional, so it no longer exists.”
At the outset, I want to make an important point,” he continued. “The laws treats ads run by candidates and those paid for by PACs differently. For example, TV stations must run ads made and paid for by candidates, even if they are demonstrably false and every other word is a lite. On the other hand, stations can refuse to run patently false ads created and sponsored by PACs”

“That explains why the ads have grown increasingly viscous over the years,” David asserted. “And they are viscous. I’ve been involved in politics for a long time, and I’ve never seen the level of vitriol we’re all being exposed to this year.”
“If you believe the attack ads against Sherrod Brown you would think he’s hitting kids over the head, dragging them into an operating room full of doctors and forcing them to have s*x change operations,” Betars continued. “First of all, performing transition surgery on minors is illegal in Ohio. Second, Sherrod’s position has always been that decisions related to gender assignment should be made by parents and their child, not the government. So the attack ads are totally false and misleading, but there they are, being delivered hundreds of times a day via TV and digital platforms because that type of speech is protected by the law and the Constitution.”
“On rare occasions, almost always involving ads aired by PACs, the targeted candidate may sue, but those suits are incredibly difficult to win because the plaintiff has to prove actual malice by clear and convincing evidence,” Betras said. “In this area of the law, saying ‘I hate you’ doesn’t constitute malice. To prove malice the plaintiff must prove that the person or entity running the ad absolutely knew it contained false, reckless claims.”
“For instance, if I was running for office and said my opponent took a $100,000 bribe even though I knew that statement was false, my opponent could sue me and would have a fairly soldi case. But the problem is the election would be over by the time the case was litigated so the lie hangs in the air and there’s nothing the candidate who was lied about can do.”
“So, the bottom line is this: politics is the wild, wild, west, especially on the internet which is virtually unregulated,” Betras said. “The only thing I will say, based on my years of experience, is that a negative or attack ad done well can be fatal to an opponent, but ads that make outlandish claims like those Vivek Ramaswamy is running that accuse Amy Acton of being a drunk and a drug addict who can barely walk down the road often blow up in the candidate’s face.”
“Given that candidates and PACs can say just about anything, it’s up to voters to study the issues and the candidates, find out who is responsible for every ad they see, discern the truth and then make an informed choice when they cast their ballot,” Betras said.

“I want to close with this: I know people get frustrated and turned off, don’t want to vote, and say ‘what difference will my one vote make?’ If 10,000 people were to say that and say home it would directly impact the outcome of an election. I want everyone who is eligible to vote to participate in our democracy. And if you don’t want to do it for yourself, do it out of respect for the men and women in uniform who safeguard our right to vote.”
Thanks for watching, and there’s not shade of gray about how much we appreciate our fans doing us a solid by mashing the “Like,” “Share,” and “Subscribe” buttons.

10/08/2026

Ohio is a battleground state which means every time we turn on out TVs or browse the web we’re awash in political ads. In fact, the New York Times recently wrote the race for governor in Ohio is the nastiest in the nation—and the contest for the Senate is just as bad.

In tomorrow’s episode of Legally Speaking, BK Managing Partner David Betras will delve into the law governing political ads just how far—and low—candidates, PACs, and independent expenditure groups can go.

Tune in at 6:40 for the fascinating and surprising answer…

10/08/2026

Remember the days when families used to gather around the radio to listen to their favorite shows? Shows like Jacky Benny, Fibber McGee and Molly, The Shadow, and of course, Legally Speaking the first, longest running, and most popular legal advice podcast in the nation.

Well, thanks to our ongoing technical issues, we’ll relive those days once again this week because we will not be able to stream video of the show on YouTube, Facebook, and Instagrm.

Although you won’t be able to watch the show, as always, you can listen live from 5 PM to 6 PM on WKBN 570 Am and online via the iHeart radio app. You can also listen to archived episodes on all major podcast apps including Apple and Spotify.

That means we’ll be available to answer your questions about DUI, divorce and child custody, wills and estates, car and truck crashes, felonies, or who is responsible to pay for damage caused by falling tree limbs and gaping potholes—you just won’t be able to see us as we formulate our answers.

Now, grab grandma and the kids, fire up the Philco and get ready to catch the radio signals as they fly through the air.

10/08/2026

In addition to seeking and securing justice for our clients, BK is dedicated to protecting and promoting our democracy and the right to vote.
In this video BK Managing Shareholder David Betras who serves as Chair of the Mahoning County Board of Elections, announces that the agency’s years-long search for a new home has come to end and that the Board will move into the former Williamson Elementary School Building in 2027.

The press release issued about the move by the Board follows:
The Mahoning County Board of Elections’ (BOE) years-long search for a new home is over. After carefully vetting numerous sites since 2022, Board Chair Attorney David Betras announced today that the BOE will relocate to the former Williamson Elementary School building on Youngstown’s South side.
According to Betras, the Mahoning County Commissioners, Western Reserve Port Authority, and Youngstown City School District recently reached an agreement to transfer ownership of the building to the county.
“Our move to Williamson represents a significant victory for the people of Mahoning County, the residents of Youngstown, and our democracy,” Atty. Betras, leader of the effort to relocate the BOE said during today’s Mahoning County Commissioners’ meeting.
“Our mission is to conduct flawless elections,” Betras continued. “The fact that we accomplish that mission year after year in a facility that is inadequate at best and deplorable at worst, is a testament to the professionalism, talent, and dedication of Director Tom McCabe, Deputy Director Melissa Wasko, and our outstanding staff. I and every member of the Board are truly grateful for all they do to promote and protect democracy.
“The move to Williamson will enhance our ability to offer the high level of voting security, accuracy and accessibility that has earned the trust and confidence of voters, candidates, the media, and the public.”
“I have a number of people to thank, beginning with Commissioners Rimedio-Righetti, Traficanti, and DiFabio. Their patience and understanding as we sought a way to overcome the facility-related challenges the BOE has been forced to deal with has been commendable,” Beras said. “We all know this has been a long and occasionally contentious process, but I am pleased and proud to say we worked together to craft what I believe is a perfect solution to a very difficult problem.”
“I’d like to acknowledge the instrumental role Anthony Trevenia and the staff of the Western Reserve Port Authority played in our successful search for a new location,” Betras noted. “They presented us with alternatives, answered all our questions, and provided the information we and the commissioners needed to make the right decision for the BOE and the people of Mahoning County.”
“I also want to express my gratitude to Youngstown School Board President Juanita Walker and Superintendent Joseph Meranto who believe as we do that repurposing Williamson School will benefit both the neighborhood surrounding the building and our entire community.”
“Now, I ask you all to join me in applauding Pastor Ken Simon of New Bethel Baptist Church for his advocacy on behalf of the people of the city of Youngstown,” Betras commented.
“From the day we began searching for a new home, Reverend Simon has been explicit, insistent, and incessant: moving the Board from the city would a moral and ethical outrage because doing so would disenfranchise hundreds, if not thousands, of voters,” Betras said.
“He is right. He convinced me and the other members of the Board that he is right, and that is why we decided to only consider potential sites within the city. As much or more than anyone, he deserves credit and congratulations on our move to Williamson.
“Finally, I formally propose that we name the new headquarters The Joyce Kale Pesta Memorial Election Center. For more than five decades Joyce worked tirelessly to safeguard the integrity of our electoral process and encourage people to participate in our democracy,” Betras said. “Naming our new facility in her honor and memory is a well-deserved tribute to her life and legacy.”
Betras said the former elementary school, which is located at 58 Williamson Avenue, is in good condition and any remodeling needed to ensure that the facility is safe, secure, and accessible will be relatively minor and affordable.
“The building is adjacent to major thoroughfares, including Market Street and 680 and is served by WRTA,” Betras said. “According to data provided by the Port Authority, more than 80% of Mahoning County’s population lives within a 20-minute drive of the building.”
“In addition to being convenient, we will be able to bring the building into compliance with all the physical security, ADA/accessibility, and suitability standards established by the Ohio Secretary of State—something that was simply impossible at Oak Hill,” Betras said.
“The acquisition and adaptation of Williamson serves as a textbook example of what governmental bodies, economic development agencies, concerned leaders, and private citizens can accomplish when whey pursue a common goal. Today truly marks an important milestone in the history of the community we all love,” Betras concluded.

In addition to seeking and securing justice for our clients, BK is ...

10/06/2026

https://youtu.be/7MkTgeeuaO0
In this episode of Legally Speaking on WFMJ Today, BK Managing Shareholder discusses the failed ex*****on of Krista Pike in Tennessee. Pike, who did not die after receiving two doses of phenobarbital, was rushed to a local hospital where she remains unconscious and on a ventilator. Her prognosis is unknown.
Tennessee governor Bill Lee has canceled all scheduled ex*****ons while the state determines what went wrong.
She was sentenced to death in 1996 for the brutal torture and killing of her 19-year-old classmate, Colleen Slemmer.
“I want to tell people out there that I understand their reaction,” Atty. Betras said. “This woman horrifically... tortured and murdered her victim. So, a lot of people are saying ,huh, what difference does it make?”
“Now, Tennessee gave her five grams of phenobarbital twice and that didn't kill her, “ he continued. “She had to go to the hospital. The governor of Tennessee has put a moratorium
on that, okay, and said, we're going to stop ex*****ons until we figure out what's going on.”
“That gives her lawyers a foothold. I know a lot of people are out there saying, hey ,Dave, she killed and tortured her victim, why should we show any mercy?” Betras said.
|”Because the Bill of Rights which was ratified by the states in 1789 includes the Eighth Amendment that prohibits cruel and unusual punishment,” he explained.
“The Supreme Court has clearly said we can execute people and they also said the process does not have to be painless,” Betras noted. “But when that amendment was adopted people were being burned at the stake, disemboweled, and drawn and quartered. So clearly there is a
difference between executing someone and torturing them. That's what the Eighth Amendment's was designed to stop.”
“I know people are out there going, oh, and if you read the facts of what she did to this woman, it was horrific,” Betras said. “Yeah, it was terrible. But you can't just like certain amendments and hate others.”
“For example, you don't like what someone's saying and it makes you angry? The First Amendment protects their right to say it.”
“You don't like guns? The Second Amendment gives people the right to keep and bear arms.”
“You don't like the Fourth Amendment because you want police to just be able to invade someone’s home juct because they think they may have committed a crime? Too bad, the cops just can’t do that,” Betras said.
“Ultimately this case isn’t about whether she should be put to death, it’s about what restraints we’re going to place on the government.”
“So, her attorneys now have a new set of arguments to use to try to convince a court to spare her the death penalty,” he said.
“It doesn't mean she can't be executed and it doesn't mean she's getting out of jail. Butthere is a difference between torture and killing someone,” Betras continued.
“And what people out there must understand is that they have an emotional gut reaction. But what the Constitution is trying to do is limit government's power. As a civilized society we should not, when carrying out the death penalty,draw it out ten hours or tie people to posts and put stuff all over them that will attract rats who will eat them alive,” Betras said.
“We are beyond that as a society.