Monday, February 27, 2006
YOUNGSTOWN -- One of two men charged in the killing of Matthew J. Saunders in August must cooperate with authorities and possibly testify against his co-defendant in exchange for having an aggravated murder charge dropped.
Judge Maureen A. Sweeney of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court sentenced Jawan Johnson on Monday to 13 years in prison -- 10 years for aggravated robbery and three years for a firearm specification, to be served consecutively.
Johnson, 25, of East Judson Avenue, pleaded guilty in January to one count of aggravated robbery. His indictment was amended to drop a charge of aggravated murder against him.
Murder, robbery charges
Co-defendant Marcus Thomas, 20, of East Florida Avenue, is charged with aggravated murder and aggravated robbery. A pretrial hearing for Thomas is scheduled for April 5.
Assistant county prosecutor Robert J. Andrews said that if Johnson fails to cooperate with authorities in Thomas' case, he'll move to vacate Johnson's sentence and reinstate the aggravated murder charge. Defense Atty. Anthony P. Meranto said Johnson will cooperate.
Saunders, 40, of Youngstown, was found dead outside his car in a parking lot at Pyatt and Erie streets on the South Side.