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Man gets 16 years for manslaughter
YOUNGSTOWN — A man who pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in a South Side homicide that occurred more than two years ago has been sentenced to 16 years in prison.
Judge James C. Evans imposed the sentence Friday on Darrin Davis, 19, of East Florida Avenue, in the shooting death of Anthony Perez and the attempted murder and abduction of William Burr, who was restrained at the scene.
Police said the Dec. 30, 2006, shooting, which occurred on Clearmount Drive, stemmed from an argument over the alleged theft of a car. Davis was bound over from juvenile court to face adult proceedings.
“A life was taken. It was a foolish, senseless act,” said Judge Evans, of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court.
“He was a good man and a good father,” said Christina Marie Santiago, adding that Perez was the father of her child. “He loved raising his son.
“We’ve been up and down and through hell and back since we lost him,” she said tearfully.
“I don’t know why all this happened and the stupid reasons that it did happen,” Santiago told the judge.
Perez, 31, of Plazaview Court, was fatally shot with an assault rifle, and gunfire was directed at Perez’s brother, William Burr, 27, of East Midlothian Boulevard, Struthers, as Perez and Burr detailed a car.
Davis’ brother, Reshaud Biggs, 23, of East Florida Avenue, who pleaded guilty to abduction and being a felon with a gun in the same incident, agreed to testify against Davis had he gone to trial.
The prosecution is recommending a three-year prison term for Biggs when Judge Evans sentences him at 1:30 p.m. Monday.
Burr, who was to testify concerning Perez’s death, wasn’t hit by gunfire in the Clearmount Drive incident, but Burr was fatally shot July 8, 2007, outside a South Avenue pizza shop.
After Burr’s death, “We did the best we could with what we were left with,” in prosecuting the case, said Martin P. Desmond, assistant county prosecutor.
Davis, who was originally indicted for aggravated murder before the charge was reduced to voluntary manslaughter, apologized for his actions and said he feels remorse. “It was a senseless crime that could have been prevented,” he said.
Citing Davis’ youth and his lack of a previous violent criminal record, Davis’ lawyer, Anthony Meranto, urged the judge to impose a shorter prison term than the 16 years Desmond recommended.
With credit for the 807 days he has already been jailed, Davis’ earliest eligibility for release will be 11 years and four months from now, Meranto said after Davis was sentenced.