YOUNGSTOWN Man gets 8-year term for shooting his friend

The Struthers man needed seven surgeries to repair his injuries.
By BOB JACKSON
VINDICATOR COURTHOUSE REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Sam Vona III leaned across a table in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court and pointed to a spot just above the bridge of his nose.
"I want you to see my face," Vona said to Wayne Martin, who sat some three feet away. "This is where you shot me."
In fact, Vona was shot six times by Martin in December 2001 -- twice in the left eye and once in the forehead, neck, hand and chest. He needed seven surgeries to repair his injuries.
Martin, 21, of Lucius Avenue, pleaded guilty in August to charges of felonious assault, tampering with evidence and a gun specification. Aggravated arson and attempted murder charges were dismissed as part of a plea agreement.
Judge James C. Evans sentenced Martin to eight years in prison, which was recommended in the plea agreement.
What happened
Vona, 31, of Struthers, said he and Martin were acquaintances who'd gone to lunch together earlier that day. They also did drugs together, he said, and that's what led to the shooting.
Defense attorney John F. Shultz said they got into an argument over money Vona owed Martin for drugs.
"This case just epitomizes the evil of drugs," Shultz said.
Martin demanded that Vona hand over the title to his Jeep as payment, but Vona said he couldn't because he still owed money on the vehicle, so the bank held the title.
Vona said Martin put a gun to his head and started pulling the trigger.
His injuries left him blind. He still has bullets lodged in his neck and chest.
Vona said he spent 10 years addicted to drugs and alcohol before the shooting.
"I'm no saint," he said. "I'm not standing up here for a pity party. I made my bed and I have to lie in it, but I didn't deserve to be shot six times."
Vona said Martin and two others carried him to his car and drove him to McKelvey Lake, where they planned to dump his body. He managed to jump out of the car before they got there and was found later by a passer-by.
Despite his pain, Vona gave Martin credit for "being a man" and accepting responsibility for the shooting. He also said something positive came of it all.
"If he hadn't shot me, then honest to God I'd probably still be out there using drugs," Vona said. "I have to thank him for that."
Vona, who said he's been sober for more than a year, thanked his family for helping to care for him since the shooting.
"I have a wonderful family," he said.
Martin, who seemed shaken by it all, apologized to Vona and his family.
"I take full responsibility for what happened," he said. "I never meant for any of this to happen."
bjackson@vindy.com