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Judge nixes motion to withdraw pleas, gives Christian brothers prison time for shooting
By Joe Gorman
YOUNGSTOWN
Judge Lou D’Apolito on Thursday told a man he was sentencing to seven years in prison for a shooting last October that there are better ways for an ex-felon to settle disputes than with a gun.
“That’s why they got 911. That’s why they got police stations,” the Mahoning County Common Pleas Court judge said.
Sentenced to seven years in prison on charges of being a felon in possession of a firearm was Maurice Christian, 29. His brother, Terrian Christian, 26, was sentenced to six years in prison on the same charges.
Both men tried to withdraw their pleas just before the hearing began, with Terrian Christian saying he was innocent and forced to take a plea, and his brother saying he’s upset there are other people he thinks were involved who were never charged.
The judge rejected their motions, but he did say they could appeal his decision if they wish.
The two were being sentenced for the Oct. 25, 2015, shooting of DeAngelo Christian, no relation, who is 25. DeAngelo Christian was shot seven times and is paralyzed from his injuries. He was not able to attend the hearing Thursday because of his medical condition.
Their sister, Amanda Perry, 28, also pleaded guilty to a charge of felonious assault, and prosecutors are recommending one year of jail time for her. She will be sentenced at a later date.
Police said the shooting stemmed from a long-running feud between Perry and another woman, who was to be a witness in the case, and culminated with a Facebook post that city prosecutors said prompted Perry to order her brothers to shoot DeAngelo Christian.
After rejecting their motions to withdraw their guilty pleas, Judge D’Apolito said he could not understand how the two men, who both have been to prison before, would do anything that may send them back.
“This isn’t like this is the first time you’ve been in trouble,” the judge said.
Maurice Christian asked the judge what he would do if he had been in jail for something such as an OVI, then got out, only to have someone do something to his mother or sister. He did not get specific.
That’s when the judge said there are other ways to handle disagreements besides shooting someone. Maurice Christian said police were contacted but they told him they could do nothing.
Both men clearly were unhappy their motion to withdraw their pleas was rejected. Terrian Christian had to be warned after he was grumbling under his breath just before he was sentenced, and both men were rattling their shackles with their handcuffs.
The judge said he sentenced Terrian Christian to less time because he does not believe Terrian Christian fired a gun.