Woman gets three years' probation for robbery

YOUNGSTOWN — A Redondo Road woman was given three years’ probation in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court for her role in a 2012 robbery.

Keiante Mackie, 20, burst into tears as Judge John Durkin announced the sentence today.

The sentence came after her attorney, James Gentile, made an argument for probation, saying she has no criminal record, was only in trouble the one time and has not only kept out of trouble since her arrest but actually has bettered herself.

Mackie pleaded guilty in September to charges of aggravated robbery and kidnapping, both first-degree felonies; and felonious assault, a second-degree felony. In exchange for her pleas, prosecutors agreed to drop a specification that a firearm was used to commit the crimes.

A firearm specification carries an automatic prison sentence but because the specification was dropped, Mackie was eligible for probation.

Mackie was arrested with Brandon Kennedy, 21, of Lexington Avenue, and Ishmael Bethel, 19, of Hudson Avenue, in a shooting Nov. 3, 2012.

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