Justice was served as two men received their sentences for their involvement in unrelated Franklin County shootings that rocked the Far East Side and North Linden communities, a published article reported.
Two Columbus suspects in Franklin County shootings received one prison sentence and one probation term. (Photo: Yahoo News)
2021 Franklin County Shooting Death on Far East Side
Kejhier Burnett, a 21-year-old resident of the North Side, was handed a 14 to 19 ½-year prison term for the fatal Franklin County shooting of 22-year-old Stephen Gonzalez-Gammon.
The Franklin County shooting incident occurred on August 26, 2021, when police responded to a shooting on the 100 block of Heatherbridge Lane in the Far East Side.
Burnett, who had previously pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and illegal possession of a firearm, managed to avoid a murder charge through a plea deal struck with Franklin County prosecutors.
Two other individuals, Tyree Burke from the Southeast Side, and Micah Norwood from the Far East Side, both 18 years old at the time of the incident, were initially charged with murder in the Franklin County Municipal Court. However, the cases against them were dismissed in September 2021.
The lack of evidence deemed insufficient for presenting these Franklin County shooting cases to a grand jury led to their exoneration in the Common Pleas Court.
During the hearing, Burnett’s defense attorney, Assistant Public Defender Nick Horne, highlighted his client’s cognitive limitations and suggestibility. Horne argued that Burke and Norwood masterminded the robbery and provided the firearm to Burnett, thereby influencing his actions.
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Probation Granted for Codefendant in Fatal 2022 Franklin County Shooting in North Linden
Shandale Brown, a 24-year-old South Linden resident, received a five-year probationary sentence for his involvement in the fatal Franklin County shooting of 46-year-old William Hinson. The tragic event occurred on June 30, 2022, near a North Linden market.
Prosecutors clarified that Brown was not the shooter and opted to plead guilty to reckless homicide to avoid facing a murder charge. As part of his probation, Brown must adhere to strict guidelines, and any violation could result in a three-year prison term.
During the sentencing, Franklin County Common Pleas Judge Mark Serrott expressed his disappointment in Brown’s lack of remorse. However, the judge chose to give him an opportunity to rehabilitate, saying he would “give him a shot.” Brown expressed remorse for his actions and issued a heartfelt apology for his role in the tragic event.
The actual shooter Ayub Issack, 21, had already been sentenced earlier this month to 21-26 ½ years in prison for involuntary manslaughter and other charges related to the incident.
The fatal Franklin County shooting of William Hinson took place after 11 p.m. on June 30, 2022, outside McGuffy Market located at 1066 E. Hudson St. According to authorities, an argument led to the shooting and an ensuing car crash into a utility pole, resulting in Hinson’s untimely death.
