CLEVELAND — Earlier this week, three people were given life in prison for the murder of Alishah Pointer in 2021. The other three individuals involved were sentenced late Friday morning.
Judge Mollie Ann Murphy handed down sentences to Portria Williams, Nathaniel Poke Jr. and Destiny Henderson that were previously agreed to as part of their plea deals. Murphy sentenced Henderson to 25 to 30 years, Williams to 23 years to life, and Poke Jr. to 23 to 28 years.
Watch the full sentencing:
Henderson previously pleaded guilty to charges of involuntary manslaughter, kidnapping and conspiracy. Poke previously pleaded guilty to the same charges. Williams previously pleaded guilty to aggravated murder, kidnapping and conspiracy.
During the sentencing, the prosecution detailed the prolonged abuse Pointer endured during her captivity.
According to the state, Henderson participated in the kidnapping and held a gun. Henderson was present when Pointer was murdered and later, through her parents, contacted the police and led them to Pointer's body. Her plea agreement reflected this cooperation.
Prosecutors said that Williams, alleged to be the girlfriend and mother of the child of the deceased man whose death motivated the crime, took Pointer to her home, was present, and fired one of the shots. She also made statements to the police and assisted investigators.
The State argued that Poke Jr. was involved in the kidnapping, lied to Pointer's twin sister on their birthday when asked for help, and actively participated in the planning.
During the sentencing, Pointer's mother thanked everyone, from officers to investigators, who assisted in the case.
"Two of these defendants are mothers. How could you bring a life into this world and take another? A mother is supposed to protect," she said, describing the betrayal and devastation of what her daughter endured.
Pointer's twin sister also spoke in court.
“I’ve had a lot of anger and so much tension in me for the last four years," she said.
She also addressed Poke Jr. directly, whom she knew personally.
"How could you look at her and let them do that to her? I lost my sister...I called on you to help me find my sister, and you played in my face," Pointer said. "You lied to me when I knew you were a part of all of this.”
On Wednesday, Anthony Bryant, Brittany Smith and Hakeem-Ali Shomo were sentenced to life in prison. Smith will be eligible for parole after serving 41 years. The other two aren't eligible for parole.
Watch:
RELATED: Trio sentenced to life in prison for murder of Alishah Pointer in 2021
Pointer, 22, was kidnapped, tortured, and killed, and her body was found in a burned-out house in East Cleveland in November 2021. The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner's Office determined that she died from a gunshot wound.
