YOUNGSTOWN In rape case, 2 teens each get 100+ years

The judge called the victim a remarkable and impressive person.
By ROGER G. SMITH
CITY HALL REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- The 22-year-old woman spoke quickly, but remained composed as she described the toll that being raped has taken on her life.
Her chosen career is in jeopardy. She needs to work at places where she feels most safe. Her college academic and athletic endeavors are on hold. She fears the campus and running outdoors.
She suffers from nightmares and depression.
"I'm not sure where I'll feel safe," she said. "My freedom has been taken away from me."
She paused only once, slightly, because of emotion. She was describing how the crime ruined her engagement.
"Another dream snatched from me," she said.
For all those reasons, two Youngstown teens will never leave prison; another will serve nearly two decades.
Sentences
Judge R. Scott Krichbaum of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court gave Brandon Moore, 16, a total of 141 years on kidnapping, rape and robbery charges. Chaz Bunch, who turns 18 on Friday, got 105 years. Andre Bundy, 19, got 18 years on robbery counts.
Lawyers for all three said they will appeal.
A fourth man, Jamar Callier, pleaded guilty to reduced kidnapping and robbery charges and testified in the case. He faces seven years in prison. The victim said Callier prevented Bunch from killing her.
Judge Krichbaum said he has no doubt the woman would have been killed.
The judge called the victim a truly remarkable and impressive person and said he would pray for her.
"In all my time, I've never seen a crime so vicious or so evil or so unforgivable," Judge Krichbaum told the defendants. "As I listened to this victim's testimony, I felt her fear. I felt her shame. I felt the terror that you reigned down upon her. I never felt that in a case before."
The judge said Moore and Bunch couldn't be rehabilitated and that it would be a waste of time and money to try.
Making a comparison
Judge Krichbaum likened the defendants and the threat they pose to the Washington, D.C.-area sniper. He compared the random, unconscionable and cowardly nature of the crimes.
"I'm going to make sure that you never get out of the penitentiary," the judge said before announcing the maximum sentences.
The three were convicted earlier this month for their roles in the August 2001 armed kidnapping, rape and robbery. The woman was abducted as she arrived for the overnight shift at her Detroit Avenue workplace.
Bundy and Moore also were convicted in the armed robbery of a Mayfield Street couple earlier that night.
They were tried as adults and found guilty of multiple counts.
Deena Calabrese, an assistant county prosecutor who had asked for the maximum sentence, considered making a statement to the court but decided against it. The victim said it all, she added.
In front of the judge, Bundy apologized; Moore bit at his lower lip and said nothing.
Bunch repeated his denials that he was even involved. In a written statement, he told the court he was a victim of an unfair trial and targeted because he was young, black and poor. The judge took strong exception to the comments.
Security was tight with at least a dozen deputy sheriffs in the courtroom.
rgsmith@vindy.com