43
Man gets 10 years in 2007 Auto Zone crime
YOUNGSTOWN
The final man convicted in the attempted robbery of an Auto Zone store that led to the murder of a clerk in 2007 will spend the next 10 years of his life in prison.
But Reginald Everson is not finished with the justice system. He also is charged with murder in a 2008 case.
Everson, 23, of West Chalmers Avenue, appeared Friday before Judge Lou D’Apolito of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court for sentencing on a charge of aggravated robbery.
Everson had been charged with murder and aggravated robbery in the shooting death of Edward Agee during a robbery attempt at the Auto Zone store on McCartney Road on the East Side in May 2007. The murder charge and a gun specification were subsequently dropped under a plea agreement.
Jamaad Jackson, 21, of Wychwood Lane, already had been sentenced to eight years for his role in the crime. Prosecutors have called Jackson a key witness in the case, saying his testimony helped convict Melvin Dixon, 27, the actual shooter in the murder.
Dixon is serving a life sentence for his role in the crime.
Martin Desmond, an assistant county prosecutor, recommended the 10-year sentence for Everson. He said Everson should not receive the same or a lesser sentence than Jackson because Jackson was of greater help to prosecutors.
Atty. Samuel Amendolara, representing Everson, said prosecutors were disingenuous in stating the level of cooperation offered by Everson.
He said Everson was forthcoming with prosecutors, but his value as a witness was diminished once prosecutors started talking to Jackson.
Amendolara asked the court to impose a sentence of six to seven years.
“I am so sorry for this. I am heartbroken for what I did. It was stupid of me to do a crime like that,” Everson said.
Judge D’Apolito sentenced Everson to 10 years in prison with 1,357 days credit for time he has already spent in the county jail.
Everson’s court troubles are not over, however. He still faces a murder charge in a 2008 shooting.
Prosecutors contend that Everson, while free on $15,000 bond in the Auto Zone robbery case, shot and killed 18-year-old Terrell Roland of East Avondale Avenue.
Roland was shot twice in his driveway in May 2008 and died a short time later at St. Elizabeth Health Center.
Everson will remain in the county jail until his trial date on that charge.