BREAKING NEWS: Teens get 28 years to life for killing Brandon Adkins

YOUNGSTOWN — Less than 24 hours ago two teens learned a jury of 12 had convicted them of aggravated murder, and now they have learned that they will spend at least the next 28 years of their lives behind bars.

Deandre M. McCreary, 16, of West Woodland Avenue, and Rayshawn Royal, 17, of Cohasset Drive, were convicted Tuesday of aggravated murder and aggravated robbery with gun specifications in the June 18, 2011, fatal shooting of Brandon Adkins.

The two teens were back before Judge Maureen A. Sweeney of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court this morning for sentencing.

The teens’ appearance today was much different from their appearance during the weeklong trial. Gone were the crisp yet somewhat oversized white shirts and neck ties that enhanced their boyish image. Those shirts and ties were replaced by the orange jumpsuits that are handed out to virtually every convicted criminal in the justice system.

Judge Sweeney handed down the sentence of 28 years to life imprisonment at 10:15 a.m. today to a courtroom packed with members of boys’ families and their friends.

For the complete story, read Thursday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com.