Thursday, January 28, 2010
YOUNGSTOWN — Two city men will be spending time in prison for their roles in a 2008 shootout that killed a 19-year-old man.
D’Von Walls, 19, of Halls Heights Avenue, and Robert Floyd Jr., 20, of Atkinson Avenue, appeared for sentencing Wednesday before Judge Jack Durkin in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court. Both men had been charged with aggravated murder in the shooting death of Sirtan Alli but ultimately pleaded to lesser charges.
Alli was found shot in the back of his head on the sidewalk on McGuffey Road near Cassius Street on the city’s East Side and died later that day in St. Elizabeth Health Center. A 9mm handgun with 11 rounds in its magazine was found on the sidewalk between the victim’s legs.
Jennifer McLaughlin-Smith, an assistant county prosecutor, said Alli was an active participant in the gunfire and is believed to have been shooting at the car in which Walls and Floyd were riding. She said Walls and Floyd are still accountable because they were in a position to have driven away from the scene and diffused the situation.
“A life was lost here, and this could have been avoided. These defendants should not have had guns, should not have been riding around with guns,” said McLaughlin-Smith.
Torah Lewis, mother of Alli, addressed the court before Judge Durkin handed down sentences and offered prayer and forgiveness to the two men.
“I am sorry we are all here. This whole thing has impacted our families. My only son is gone,” she said. “I have no hard feelings against these boys, but like I would tell my son: If you are man enough to do it, you are man enough to accept the punishment.”
Lewis said her son had two children, and one of those kids still thinks he will see his father “sleeping” when passing the funeral home, she said.
Walls, who is believed to be the actual shooter, pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter. He apologized to his family and the family of the victim before hearing the judge’s decision on sentencing.
Atty. Anthony Meranto, representing Walls, asked the court for a minimum sentence, saying his client has accepted full responsibility for his actions and learned from his mistakes.
Judge Durkin, noting the tragedy of so many lives affected by people solving problems with guns, sentenced Walls to four years in prison and an additional three years for using a gun.
Floyd pleaded guilty to complicity to voluntary manslaughter. His lawyer, Lou DeFabio, pointed out that there is no evidence suggesting his client handled a gun or fired a single shot during the deadly shootout. He said his client’s only role was driving to and from the scene.
Floyd apologized to his family and the victim’s family. He also explained to the judge why he did not immediately contact police after the shooting.
DeFabio asked the court to place Floyd on probation. Judge Durkin sentenced Floyd to three years in prison. Prosecutors will stand silent if and when Floyd files for early release from prison.
jgoodwin@vindy.com