Man who killed drug dealer sentenced for trafficking

Another man was convicted of murder and went to prison for 36 years to life.

STAFF REPORT

YOUNGSTOWN — David Klamer Jr., who fatally shot a drug dealer who tried to rob him, has been sentenced to three years in prison, not for the slaying, but for aggravated drug trafficking.

Judge R. Scott Krichbaum imposed the sentence Thursday on Klamer, 49, of Randolph Street, who had earlier pleaded guilty to the drug charge. Because the sentence adopted by the Mahoning County Common Pleas Court judge was agreed to by the prosecution and defense, it is nonappealable.

The prosecution dropped the murder charge it had filed against Klamer because Klamer acted in self-defense, said Martin P. Desmond, assistant county prosecutor.

Last year, a jury convicted another man, Larese Jones, of the murder of Richard Helms, and of aggravated robbery and aggravated drug trafficking.

Police said Jones, 30, of Wampum Drive, told them he drove Helms, 43, of Himrod Avenue, to Klamer’s home Feb. 22, 2007, knowing Helms planned to sell OxyContin to Klamer and then rob him.

Helms and Klamer drew handguns and fired at each other, Desmond said. Helms died of a gunshot wound to the head.

Jones fled the scene; and Klamer shoved OxyContin pills into his mouth and expressed suicidal intentions, Desmond said.

After the shooting, Klamer was coaxed out of his house by a hostage negotiator, police said.

Judge Krichbaum sentenced Jones last October to 36 years to life in prison for his role in the drug deal and armed robbery that led to Helms’ death.

Klamer’s case was delayed because he was initially found incompetent to stand trial, then hospitalized with mental illness for about a year and restored to competency.

Klamer will get credit for the 541 days he already has been locked up and will be on parole for three years after he leaves prison.