Suspect admits role in slaying

Two suspects who've made plea agreements will testify against a third suspect.
By BOB JACKSON
VINDICATOR COURTHOUSE REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- A second suspect has admitted playing a role in the robbery and shooting death of a 57-year-old Parkview Avenue man two years ago.
Kevin Anderson, 20, of Mabel Street, pleaded guilty Tuesday in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court to one count of conspiracy to commit aggravated murder. Assistant Prosecutor Jay Macejko recommended that Anderson be sentenced to 10 years in prison.
In exchange, Macejko said prosecutors won't seek charges against Anderson for an unrelated homicide last year at which Anderson was supposedly present but was not the triggerman. Another person already has pleaded guilty and been sentenced as the shooter in that case.
The 10-year sentence being recommended for Anderson is the maximum allowed by law for the charge to which he pleaded.
A court-ordered background check on Anderson will be done before he is sentenced by Judge James C. Evans. A date has not been set for sentencing, but Anderson will remain in the county jail until that time.
Prosecutors say Anderson and two other people plotted to rob and kill Jefferson Smith Sr., who was found shot to death in his home Sept. 21, 2002. Police found a pillow over Smith's face, and it appeared he had been shot through the pillow.
Smith was found the next day by his daughter, who had gone to check on him after he did not answer her telephone calls.
Another guilty plea
Another suspect in the case, Tamika F. Lightning, 23, of Parkview Avenue, pleaded guilty in March to one count of conspiracy to aggravated murder and is awaiting sentencing by Judge Evans. Prosecutors have recommended a five-year prison sentence for her.
As part of their plea agreements, Anderson and Lightning will be required to testify against the third suspect, Donteill M. Grant, 24, of Youngstown, when he goes to trial.
Grant is charged with aggravated murder, conspiracy to aggravated murder and aggravated robbery. He is already in prison for unrelated drug and weapon violations. A pretrial is scheduled in his case May 13, but a trial date has not been set.
Authorities believe Lightning was visiting at Smith's house and waited for him to fall asleep. Once he was sleeping, Lightning called the others to come over and rob and kill him, police said.
bjackson@vindy.com