SENTENCING 2 men get life terms in slaying

The judge said someone in the affected families had to say, 'Enough is enough.'
YOUNGSTOWN -- Two Youngstown men convicted of the November 2003 shooting death of a teenager will be in their 40s before they are first eligible to walk the streets again.
Judge Jack M. Durkin gave life sentences Thursday to Glenn R. Scott, 22, and Stephan Breedlove, 20, in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court. A jury found the two guilty of aggravated murder Tuesday in the death of 16-year-old James Revere on Nov. 23, 2003.
Breedlove and Scott will be eligible for parole after serving 20 years of that sentence. But both men must first serve an additional five years on gun specifications in the crime. They will receive credit for time already served, Judge Durkin said.
Judge's commentary
Before pronouncing sentence, the judge said he agreed with the jury's verdict based on the evidence and testimony presented in the trial, which lasted more than two weeks.
"It's a shame that not only was a life was taken away, but that families have to spend time in courtrooms and in funeral homes because of these acts," Judge Durkin said. "I wish someone in these families would step up and say enough is enough. End the violence."
Both Breedlove and Scott declined to speak before sentencing, and neither showed emotion as the sentence was read. Breedlove waved to family members as the two left the courtroom.
The men will be transported to Lorain Correctional Institution in Grafton to serve their sentences.
Defense motions
Before the sentencing, defense attorneys presented motions to modify or set aside the verdict.
Atty. Ted Macejko Jr., representing Scott, said the jury improperly found both defendants guilty as the "principal offender."
He said that testimony showed that only Keon Richardson, a third man accused in the shooting, got out of a car carrying the three men and fired shots into Revere's car as it was stopped on Hayman Street. Richardson goes on trial in August.
"There were only two firearms on the scene, and anything else is supposition," Macejko said.
Atty. Louis DeFabio, representing Breedlove, asked the court to set aside the verdict as "inconsistent with testimony and physical evidence."
He said there was "no evidence that either of the two [Breedlove or Scott] were in a position to fire" the shot that killed Revere.
Motions denied
Tim Franken, assistant county prosecutor, said Ohio case law does not require that a person be the actual killer in order to be a principal offender, citing murder for hire as an example.
"There's enough evidence here, that because of their actions causing a death, each of the defendants can be convicted as a principal offender," he said.
Judge Durkin denied both defense motions. Both attorneys have said their clients will appeal their convictions.
A cousin of Revere read a statement before the judge pronounced sentence.
"My favorite cousin has been taken away from me," she said. "I don't look forward to my birthday on Nov. 23 anymore. And he won't be able to walk across the stage and graduate from high school on June 15."