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Man pleads guilty in ’07 fatal store robbery
By JOHN W. GOODWIN JR.
YOUNGSTOWN
Photo
Reginald Everson
A city man has pleaded guilty to his role in a 2007 armed robbery at an auto-parts store that resulted in the death of an employee.
Reginald Everson also agreed to testify against another man charged in the crime.
Everson, 23, of West Chalmers Avenue, appeared Wednesday before Judge Lou D’Apolito of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court. 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 in May 2007.
Martin Desmond, an assistant county prosecutor, said the murder charge and a gun specification will be dropped under the plea agreement. Everson pleaded guilty to the remaining charge of aggravated robbery.
Prosecutors will recommend a sentence of eight to 10 years in prison in exchange for the plea.
Desmond said the agreement is contingent upon Everson’s testimony against Melvin Dixon, who also is charged the Auto robbery and murder. Dixon is scheduled for a jury trial Oct. 12.
Desmond said the plea deal was reached in part because Everson was not the triggerman in the shooting. He said Everson, who was with the others involved in the robbery, came into the store, heard the shot and then ran out of the store.
“He was the least culpable of anyone,” Desmond added.
Atty. Samuel Amendolara, representing Everson, told the court he and his client are satisfied with the agreement. He said Everson has been forthcoming and truthful with authorities since his initial arrest.
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 is scheduled for a jury trial Nov. 1.