Friday, April 16, 1999
35-year prison term for killer, 16
BY SUSAN VELA
The Cincinnati Enquirer
NEWPORT — As a judge sentenced a teen murderer to a long prison term Thursday, he agreed with the teen's apology.
“You're exactly right,” Campbell Circuit Judge William Wehr said. “It was a terrible crime (that) you can't undo. It's a very sad case.”
He then sentenced 16-year-old Darnell Walker to 35 years in prison for the June 25 shooting death of Charles Johnson Jr., 59, of Newport. Mr. Johnson was shot shortly before 11 p.m. near Third and Monmouth, just three blocks from his home. Mr. Walker pleaded guilty in February to charges of murder and robbery.
His sidekick that night was Anthony Daniels, also 16, who was sentenced Wednesday to 131/2 years behind bars for facilitation of murder and attempted robbery.
Authorities said Mr. Walker pulled the trigger after robbing Mr. Johnson. Although Mr. Walker was the triggerman, authorities said Mr. Daniels knew of his plans.
At his Thursday sentencing, Mr. Walker entered the courtroom wearing the green jumper of the Mason County juvenile detention center.
Soon after proceedings began, the teen stood and turned around to face Mr. Johnson's parents, who were sitting behind Jack Porter of the Campbell Commonwealth Attorney's Office.
He said he was sorry for his “most terrible crime” and for making them “suffer all this pain.”
The Johnsons were looking at him when the teen apologized. But Mr. Johnson's father quickly looked down; his wife soon looked away.
Mr. Walker and Mr. Daniels have been treated as adults in the case. For both teens, Judge Wehr followed the sentencing recommendations made by the Campbell Commonwealth Attorney's Office when the teens pleaded guilty.
Mr. Walker had already spent time in a juvenile detention center on rape and weapons charges. Mr. Daniels did not have a prior record.
Both will remain in a juvenile detention facility until they are 18. They then will be resentenced to an adult facility.
FOP head wants city manager's decision investigated
Feds seize handguns, arrest supremacist
Major crimes keep going down
Plaque would note Sultana's hellish end
Company-owned defibrillator used saved employee
County pushes for 2nd drug court
Fernald uranium will be moved
Ice cream issue to cool for a month
Used-car bargain hunters get taken for a ride
Day care for dogs
GET TO IT
Scholars are skeptical Jeses was a vegetarian
Baskets carry woman's self-confidence
Ky. debates how to split 606 code
Lucas to avoid GOP's top hope
World Peace Bell starts world tour
35-year prison term for killer, 16
Alley may be named for dance teacher
Clermont urged to push out strippers
Council tries to replace clinics
Covington prisoner's escape mystifies jailers
Detours necessary to eastbound U.S. 50
Dispute settled over child-support fees
Driver charged in crash that killed passenger
New citizens debut on Net
Ruckus raised over development
School nurse doled out love
Seniors who passed Ohio test can expect $500 voucher soon
TRISTATE DIGEST
