Shotgun slaying leads to life in prison

YOUNGSTOWN — A man charged in a shotgun slaying almost 18 months ago was sentenced to 23 years to life in prison, as recommended by the prosecution.

Judge James C. Evans of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court imposed the sentence Friday on Andre Maxwell, 24, of Regent Street, in the July 20, 2006, killing of Corey Stone, 19, of Dignan Street, after Maxwell pleaded guilty as charged to aggravated murder with a gun specification.

Maxwell will serve 20 years to life on the aggravated murder charge, plus three years for the gun specification.

Witnesses told police three or four carloads of men confronted Stone in the 1100 block of Sunshine Avenue about his possible involvement in the beating of a friend of theirs. The attackers punched Stone and knocked him to the ground before Maxwell grabbed a shotgun from a car and opened fire, striking Stone under an arm, police reports said. Maxwell was apprehended in Reynoldsburg, a Columbus suburb, in August 2006.

For more, see Saturday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com