Woman pleads guilty in 2008 homicide

The prosecution is recommending a 10-year prison term.

staff report

YOUNGSTOWN — A woman charged with complicity to a robbery and homicide that occurred last March 17 has entered a guilty plea and agreed to testify against two co-defendants.

Sarah L. Beck, 38, pleaded guilty to complicity to involuntary manslaughter and complicity to aggravated robbery in the shooting death of Demar L. Flores, 18, of Elliot Lane.

Beck entered her plea Monday before Judge Maureen A. Sweeney of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court, who revoked Beck’s bond pending sentencing.

In the plea agreement, Robert J. Andrews, assistant county prosecutor, reduced the charge of complicity to aggravated murder to complicity to involuntary manslaughter and dropped the firearm specifications against Beck.

Andrews, who recommended a 10-year prison term for Beck, declined to be specific about Beck’s role in the crimes, which occurred at Beck’s former Rutledge Drive residence. That residence was deliberately set ablaze the day after the shooting, firefighters said.

Two men await trial in this case: Charles E. Smith Jr., 31, of East Florida Avenue, on charges of aggravated murder and aggravated robbery with gun specifications; and Hassan Merriweather, 23, formerly of Rutledge Drive, on a charge of complicity to aggravated robbery with a gun specification.

Last fall, a jury acquitted another defendant, Reginald Gilchrist Jr., 26, of Mistletoe Avenue, of complicity to aggravated murder and complicity to aggravated robbery.