Appellate court orders resentencing in Shaw murder conviction

YOUNGSTOWN — A three-judge panel of the 7th District Court of Appeals has unanimously upheld the convictions of Melvin Shaw in the June 19, 2010, shooting that killed his 17-year-old girlfriend, Tracee Banks, and wounded her friend, 18-year-old Jamel Turner.

The panel, however, ordered Shaw, 21, re-sentenced because it said his felonious assault and attempted murder convictions must merge into a single sentence.

A jury convicted Shaw in May 2012 of aggravated murder in Banks’ death and of felonious assault and attempted murder charges pertaining to Turner with firearm specifications.

It also convicted Shaw of improperly discharging a gun into a habitation in the Manchester Avenue shooting.

Judge James C. Evans of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court sentenced Shaw to a total of 62 years in prison, consisting of life with parole after 30 years for the aggravated murder; 10 years for the attempted murder; eight years for the felonious assault; eight years for the improper gun discharge; and six years for the gun specifications.

In its decision, released today, the appellate court said the felonious assault and attempted murder convictions must merge into a single sentence because they stem from the same rapid gunfire and had the same purpose.

For the complete story, read Friday's Vindicator and Vindy.com