2 sentenced for death

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

Two men have been sentenced to prison for the death of their reputed accomplice in a home invasion, who was fatally shot in a confrontation with the Clinton Street home’s occupants.

Michael Mims, 23, of Crandall Avenue, will be locked up for nine years, and Daniel A. Lopez, 19, of Himrod Avenue, for seven years on voluntary manslaughter and aggravated robbery charges with firearm specifications.

Their reputed accomplice, Preston Williams, 17, of Youngstown, was killed after several shots were fired inside the home at 12:30 a.m. Nov. 29, 2008.

Mims and Lopez, who had earlier pleaded guilty, were sentenced Wednesday by Judge James C. Evans of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court.

In plea agreements, prosecutors reduced the murder charge against both men to voluntary manslaughter and dropped an aggravated-burglary charge against them.

One of the victims inside the home said he tried to wrest a 9mm gun away from Williams, causing it to fire.

A second victim said he retrieved his own .38-caliber revolver after seeing the struggle between Williams and the first victim. Four rounds were fired from that gun.

Mims was shot inside the house and suffered minor injuries, which were treated at St. Elizabeth Health Center before he was jailed.

Lopez turned himself in after a nearly 48-hour police manhunt.

Lopez and Mims will be on parole for five years after they leave prison.