Man accused of murder reaches deal that could free him in a few months

The sentencing will be next week.

YOUNGSTOWN — A city man accused of murder has reached an agreement with prosecutors that could see him released from jail in a matter of months.

A Mahoning County grand jury indicted Tyrell Ravnell, 19, of Halleck Street, in October 2008 in the murder of Diana Noble in February 2008.

Dominique Lucky, 19, of Gordon Avenue, Campbell, and Christopher J. Hill, 25, of Jackson Street, Campbell, also had been indicted in Noble’s death. The prosecutor’s office, however, dropped charges against Lucky and Hill earlier this year, saying they lacked sufficient evidence to obtain a conviction.

If convicted of the murder charge with a gun specification, Ravnell would face 15 years to life in prison on the murder charge, plus three years on the gun specification, for a total of 18 years to life.

In an agreement reached earlier this month, prosecutors have agreed to amend the murder charge against Ravnell to negligent homicide and drop the gun specification.

He will plead guilty to the negligent-homicide charge and improperly handling a firearm in a motor vehicle, prosecutors said.

The maximum penalty for the negligent-homicide charge is 180 days in jail and a $1,000 fine. The maximum penalty for the charge of improper handling of a firearm is 18 months in prison and a $5,000 fine.

Prosecutors are recommending Ravnell be sentenced to 180 days in jail on the negligent-homicide charge and 124 days in jail plus two years’ probation on the improper-handling charge, for a total of 304 days in jail. Ravnell already has been in jail for 241 days and will receive credit for that time.

Ravnell will go before Judge Lou D’Apolito, Mahoning County Common Pleas Court, for sentencing next Monday. The judge is not bound by any sentencing recommendation from the prosecutor’s office.

Having been shot near the Michael J. Kirwan Homes on Feb. 22, 2008, Noble drove herself and her live-in boyfriend to their Howland residence without realizing she’d been shot in her left side, Campbell police said.

After arriving home, Noble died of internal bleeding from the gunshot wound, the detective said.

Police at the time of the incident said the shooting was drug-related but declined to be more specific.

jgoodwin@vindy.com