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Woman sentenced in grandson's shooting death, apologizes in court
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Raytwon Briggs
YOUNGSTOWN
Pamela Easterly has been sentenced to five years’ probation on a child-endangering charge in connection with the discharge of a gun in her apartment that killed her 4-year-old grandson, Raytwon Briggs.
Adhering to the recommendation of the prosecution and defense, Judge R. Scott Krichbaum of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court imposed the sentence Tuesday on Easterly, 52, of Fairgreen Avenue, who was convicted of the third-degree felony charge in a nonjury trial in November.
The grand jury indictment said Easterly failed to properly supervise children in her care and created a risk to their safety that resulted in Raytwon’s death from a gunshot wound to the head.
There were three loaded handguns, and there was another child in the bedroom where Raytwon died.
Police were called to the apartment just before 11 p.m. July 8, 2013, where Easterly told them her grandson had shot himself.
Police found Raytwon lying on his back on a bed with a bullet wound to the eye. They said they believe the shooting was accidental.
“This is a crime of omission, rather than a crime of commission,” Judge Krichbaum said.
Easterly knew her son kept one or more guns under the mattress, he said.
Although Easterly’s offense was serious, she is unlikely to re-offend, he said. “The public doesn’t need protection from her,” he added.
“I believe this woman will live a life of punishment, whether she’s in jail or out of jail,” the judge said.
After imposing probation, however, Judge Krichbaum warned Easterly that she is not to own, use or possess any firearms, and that he will put her in prison if she is found to have a gun on her or in her residence or car.
“I’m so sorry that that happened to my grandbaby. I love him so much. I think about him all the time,” a tearful Easterly told the judge in a quavering voice.
“I believe you are sorry. I believe you should be sorry. This certainly isn’t something that you did on purpose,” the judge replied.
He added, however, “The law says it’s your fault.”