Krichbaum criticizes gunslinger mentality, then gives Stanley life, no parole

YOUNGSTOWN

Judge R. Scott Krichbaum told a man he was sentencing on a murder charge Thursday he can’t understand how some people make decisions.

Speaking just before he sentenced 24-year-old Lavelle Stanley to life in prison with no parole plus an additional 19 years for a November shooting in which one person died and another was wounded, Judge Krichbaum said there is too much of a gunslinger mentality in some places today.

“I almost shudder to think how decisions are made anymore,” Judge Krichbaum said. “It’s almost like the wild west out there.”

Stanley was convicted Wednesday of aggravated murder, attempted murder and felonious assault with firearm specifications for the Nov. 15 shooting that killed 25-year-old Elliott Stewart and wounded his 26-year-old brother Derrick Stewart outside a Southern Boulevard car wash the family operated.

Police and prosecutors said two women were arguing outside the business and Elliott Stewart told them to leave and apparently Stanley, who was on the street, thought the comments were being directed at him and took offense. He and Elliott Stewart yelled at each other and prosecutors said it appeared that Stanley reached at his waistband like he had a gun.

Elliott Stewart left for a short time and came back while Derrick Stewart was trying to calm Stanley down but when Elliott Stewart pulled up, Stanley fired several shots, killing Elliott Stewart and wounding his brother.

Stanley took the stand on his own behalf Wednesday just before closing arguments, claiming the shooting was self defense and he was afraid for his life. Testimony showed that Elliott Stewart had a gun with him when he returned, but he never fired his gun or even had a chance to get out his vehicle before he was shot and killed.

Assistant Prosecutor Martin Desmond said people rallied around the Stewarts and helped them by testifying, even though some of the witnesses were scared, because the Stewarts are a good family.

“The community came forward because they recognized these were good people and they stood up for what is right,” Desmond said. “We need more good people to stand up to the bad people.”

Read more about the case in Friday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.