A Cleveland teen who shot a Ravenna man during a botched robbery attempt on Sapp Road in Ravenna in October 2012 has been sentenced to 10 years in prison.
Torrence Williams, 19, pleaded guilty to attempted murder, a first-degree felony, with a firearms specification. Portage County Common Pleas Judge John Enlow immediately sentenced him to seven years in prison for the attempted murder, plus three consecutive, mandatory years for using a firearm in the commission of a felony. He was given credit for 159 days already served in prison awaiting trial, according to Enlow's orders.
Williams fired a shot from a .38-caliber revolver that nearly killed Aaron J. Garrett, 24, on Oct. 2, 2012, as he and his son, Xyler, 3, walked to bring dinner to Garrett's wife at her job. Co-defendant Antwan D. Ashford, 20, grabbed Xyler, and he and Williams demanded money at gunpoint.
Garrett attempted to knock one of the guns away, and Williams shot him in the chest. The bullet missed Garrett's spine by millimeters, but he survived and was treated for a punctured lung and a broken rib at Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna. Xyler Garrett was not physically injured.
Williams' attorney, William Corgan, and the Portage County Prosecutor's Office made a joint sentencing recommendation of 10 years to Enlow, who could have sentenced Williams to anywhere from six to 14 years in prison. Assistant Prosecutor Eric Finnegan said Williams was "of the three (defendants) the only one that cooperated" and "gave a truthful statement from the beginning."
In court, Corgan said Williams has shown "a great deal of remorse" for the crime and concern for Garrett.
"The first thing (Williams) asked me when I met him was 'Do you know if the guy is OK?' and I said 'Well (you're being charged with) attempted murder, so I believe he's alive," Corgan said. "And (Williams) said 'Good, let me know. I've been praying for him every day.'"
Williams also offered an apology in court for his "bad actions."
Ravenna police responding to the shooting quickly found, identified and arrested Williams, Ashford and Cory Fields, 18, of Ravenna Township. Ashford pleaded guilty to aggravated robbery, a first-degree felony with a firearms specification and was sentenced to 10 years in prison on Feb. 25.
Fields pleaded guilty to aggravated robbery, a first-degree felony, on Feb. 5. Enlow sentenced him to six years in prison.
Contact this reporter at 330-298-1128 or dobrien@recordpub.com
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