Another co-defendant sentenced in Warren homicide, robbery

Staff report

WARREN

A co-defendant convicted of participating in an April 7, 2014, robbery that resulted in the death of one victim and wounding of another was sentenced to seven years in prison Thursday.

James J. Stein, 30, of Atlantic Street Northeast, agreed to the sentence in a plea agreement he reached with prosecutors in February that included a requirement that he testify at trial against his co-defendants.

He pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter, complicity to aggravated burglary, complicity to felonious assault and complicity to aggravated robbery. The complicity to felonious assault involves the shooting of Lisa Prater, 49, during the robbery. Prater survived serious injuries resulting from two gunshots.

Stein testified last month against the triggerman, Michael Settle, 27, of Niles, who was convicted of aggravated murder and other offenses and could get life in prison with no parole when he’s sentenced next week.

Yalonda McClair of Denver, sister of James Levels, 64, of Beal Street Northwest, who was killed in the robbery, spoke to Judge Ronald Rice of Trumbull County Common Pleas Court before the judge handed down the sentence.

She thanked Stein for testifying at the trial and said his remarks also helped her 90-year-old mother accept the loss of her son, James.

She “kind of gave up since Jim was murdered,” but she’s “coming back” since she learned that four people are going to be held responsible and sentenced to prison for their roles in the murder.

McClair said Stein’s remarks at the trial that he felt bad about what happened helped both of her parents cope with it. “I’m glad you testified and didn’t excuse any of it,” she said.