A 29-year-old Akron man will serve 18 years to life in prison after he pleaded guilty to shooting and killing 32-year-old Darnell McGrady, stealing his vehicle and robbing a woman.
Byron Johnson changed his plea Sept. 3, roughly two weeks before his scheduled jury trial. He pleaded guilty to murder, aggravated burglary, grand theft of a motor vehicle and one firearm specification, according to a Summit County Prosecutor’s Office news release.
In exchange for his plea, prosecutors agreed to dismiss a second count of murder, robbery, two counts of felonious assault and additional firearm specifications.
At the earliest, Johnson will be eligible for parole after 18 years. Summit County Common Pleas Court Judge Jennifer Towell handed down the sentence. Attorneys Edward Smith and John P. Alexander represented Johnson.
“This was a very sad case in which, if it wasn’t for mental health issues exacerbated by substance abuse, this tragedy would not have happened,” Alexander said. “He was extremely remorseful and ultimately took responsibility for his actions, preventing the victims and victims’ families from suffering through a trial.”
Summit County Prosecutor Elliot Kolkovich described the case as “tragic and senseless.”
“While nothing can bring Darnell back, I hope this conviction allows his loved ones to take another step forward in the healing process,” Kolkovich said in the news release.
Burglary, grand theft followed deadly shooting
The series of incidents began at McGrady’s home in Akron on Nov. 21 when McGrady invited Johnson there, prosecutors said. After about an hour, Johnson took McGrady’s firearm from a nearby table and shot his host multiple times.
Johnson then fled the scene in McGrady’s vehicle, drove to an acquaintance’s home on Silvercrest Avenue and asked for money. When she turned her back, he broke through the storm door, punched her several times and stole $176, law enforcement officers said.
Officers located Johnson at a home on the 500 block of Storer Avenue using the GPS tracking system in the stolen vehicle. Akron police, with the help of SWAT, arrested Johnson after he barricaded himself inside.
The woman was taken to Barberton Hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. Johnson was pronounced dead at 12:45 a.m.
Bryce Buyakie covers courts and public safety for the Beacon Journal. He can be reached by email at bbuyakie@gannett.com or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @bryce_buyakie.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Akron man sentenced to 18 to years to life in prison for shooting death of Darnell McGrady
Reporting by Bryce Buyakie, Akron Beacon Journal / Akron Beacon Journal
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