Judge Carl Mazzone has sentenced two men to 25 years to life in prison for the shooting death of a 10-year-old girl last Fourth of July in Cleveland.
Juwone Deaver, 29, and Jemerious Davis, 24, were found guilty of numerous felony charges in connection with the death of the child, Gracie Griffin, last month.
Both Deaver and Davis were found guilty of the following:
- One count of murder
- Four counts of felonious assault
- One count of improperly discharging a firearm at or into a habitation or a school safety zone
- Two counts of discharge of a firearm on or near prohibited premises
A 23-year-old woman was indicted on two counts of obstructing justice last year. Additionally, a 23-year-old man pleaded guilty to one count of obstructing justice this past May.
RELATED: 3 indicted for death of 10-year-old girl
What happened
Last year, a Fourth of July family gathering ended tragically when two people opened fire, striking Gracie in the head, the prosecutor's office said.
The shooting happened around 7 p.m., when a vehicle carrying two men and two women drove to a home in the 3200 block of West 125th Street to attend the party, the prosecutor's office said.
The vehicle drove past the residence, then turned around and pulled in front of the home, which is when Deaver and Davis opened fire, shooting at the vehicle multiple times with a .45 caliber firearm and an AK-47-style firearm, the prosecutor's office said.
Griffin, who was outside with Deaver, Davis and the 23-year-old woman, was struck in the head during the shooting. The prosecutor's office said the vehicle sped away:
RELATED: 10-year-old girl fatally shot in Cleveland; no arrests made
Cleveland Police officers responded to the scene and located Griffin, who was transported to a nearby hospital and later pronounced dead.
The investigation revealed that no incoming fire occurred at the residence; only evidence of outgoing fire by Deaver and Davis.
During the trial, lawyers argued that the men live in a dangerous neighborhood and thought the people inside the car were a threat.
At today's sentencing, Gracie's grandmother, wearing a shirt and a button in remembrance of her granddaughter, attempted to speak but was overcome with emotion and couldn't finish her statement.
Family who spoke on behalf of the suspects say they were trying to protect the little girl.
Judge Mazzone said: "There's no doubt in my mind that every single person in this room, sitting on both sides of this aisle, loved and cared for both not only Gracie Griffin, but also Mr. Deaver and Mr. Davis to some degree, but the fact of the matter is we're here because of a mistake that you made, we're here because of a terrible mistake that you made."
