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Brothers get sentenced for 2014 murder
By Joe Gorman
YOUNGSTOWN
The stepfather of a man gunned down two years ago at a vacant South Side home said during sentencing Wednesday the shooting happened because of a conflict at a party.
Mahoning County prosecutors, however did not want to discuss details of the case against Bralin Allen, 29, and his brother Breandre Allen, 28, who were sentenced to 15 and 20 years in prison, respectively, by Judge Maureen Sweeney, on charges of voluntary manslaughter and felonious assault with firearm specifications for the 2014 death of 24-year-old Maurise Kerns.
The prosecutors did not want to offer more specifics because two more defendants have trials pending.
Speaking with the mother of Kerns, Sabrina Carter, standing beside him, Mark Carter said he and his family loved Kerns. There were about 20 members of Kerns’ family in court, several wearing T-shirts with his picture emblazoned on them.
“Everybody’s life is turned upside down because of selfishness and ignorance,” Mark Carter said.
Kerns was found about 3 a.m. April 1, 2014, on the front porch of a vacant home at Idora and Utilis avenues. Police said a woman lured Kerns there, and he was killed after an exchange of gunfire. Police said the shooting took place because the brothers thought Kerns participated in the shooting of Bralin Allen about two weeks earlier.
Breandre Allen was shot in the foot during the exchange of gunfire that left Kerns dead, reports said.
“We are here because of a conflict between two young men at one of their parties,” Mark Carter said.
Lou DeFabio, attorney for Bralin Allen, said there was evidence of a conflict that led to Kerns’ death.
“Obviously, it has shattered two families,” DeFabio said.
When Breandre Allen began speaking, Sabrina Carter started crying and had to leave the courtroom. Breandre Allen apologized and said he hopes to turn his life around in prison.
“I’m so sorry this happened,” Breandre Allen said. I take full responsibility for my actions. I’m hoping they [family] have forgiveness in their hearts for me.”
All Bralin Allen would say is that he was sorry.
Trial dates for the other people involved in the case have not been set.
The plea bargains with the brothers came after three days of extensive negotiations which began Friday afternoon and concluded Tuesday morning just before jury selection was to start in the brothers’ trial.