Man sentenced to prison over his role in city homicide

YOUNGSTOWN — One of 15 people indicted in connection with their role in the death of a teen during a brawl on Winona Drive last August was sentenced to eight years in prison today.

The sentence for David Belton, 33, in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court, was handed down by Judge Lou D’Apolito, who is the judge presiding over the cases for all accused of taking part in the death of Shawn Cortez on Aug. 17.

Belton pleaded guilty April 27 to charges of aggravated riot, aggravated assault and involuntary manslaughter.

Under the terms of the plea agreement, Belton must serve four and a half years of his sentence before he is eligible to ask for judicial release. Assistant Prosecutor Martin Desmond said when Belton makes his request, prosecutors will oppose it because of his conduct that day.

Cortez was killed during a prearranged fight Aug. 17 that was set up by text message and Facebook after a fight the day before between the two families. Desmond said the two groups had been arguing for more than a year.

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