Judge sentences man in shooting death

The defendant made a request to withdraw his plea, but the judge denied the request.

staff report

YOUNGSTOWN — A man who pleaded guilty to murder in a shooting death that occurred more than two years ago has been sentenced to 18 years to life in prison.

Judge Maureen A. Sweeney of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court imposed the sentence Tuesday on Charles Jones, 33, of Lincoln Park Drive.

Jones pleaded guilty last June to killing Waddell L. Casey, 29, of Stewart Avenue, and committing felonious assault against Michael Faiola, 24, of Lynn Avenue, with a gun specification.

Casey was found shot in the head on a couch in his living room.

Faiola was shot in the hand in the same Oct. 30, 2006, case.

In the plea agreement, the prosecution agreed to drop an attempted-murder charge listing Faiola as the victim and to recommend a total prison sentence of 18 years to life, with eight years for the felonious assault concurrent with the 15-years-to-life murder sentence.

The gun specification adds a mandatory consecutive three years to the prison term.

Jones will get credit for the 849 days he has already been jailed awaiting court action in his case.

After entering his guilty plea, Jones said he is innocent and tried unsuccessfully to withdraw his plea and go to trial.

Jones said he didn’t realize how much time he would have to serve in prison under the plea agreement.

After conducting a hearing on Jones’ plea withdrawal request, Judge Sweeney denied the request, saying Jones “entered his plea knowingly and voluntarily.”

Jones made no statement at his sentencing.

His lawyer, Douglas Taylor, said Jones maintains his innocence and intends to appeal the denial of his plea-withdrawal request.