PITTSBURGH — Two men were sentenced to life in prison without the chance of parole for a shooting that killed a toddler in downtown Pittsburgh last year.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE >> Shooting of Baby De’Avry: 2 men convicted in 2022 shooting death of baby in Downtown Pittsburgh
Markez Anger and Londell Falconer Jr. were sentenced Wednesday morning.
The two were trying to target someone else when they drove by a car near PPG Place and shot into it in May 2022.
Instead, they killed 18-month-old De’Avry Thomas, who was in his car seat in the backseat of the vehicle.
The intended target, Hezekiah Nixon, was arrested a few months after the deadly shooting as a suspect in a funeral home shooting on the North Side where six people were shot.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE >> 2022 killing of toddler near PPG Place connected to Brighton Heights funeral mass shooting
Markez Anger was the shooter and Londell Falconer was the driver.
In court, the Commonwealth called what happened “a public safety nightmare.”
“Baby D’s world,” said Dea’Shea Green, De’Avry’s mom.
“And this world is De’Avry’s,” said Barbara Johnson, De’Avry’s grandmother.
De’Avry’s family feels like justice was served.
“I feel like real justice is De’Avry being able to be here,” said Kahlil Darden, De’Avry’s uncle and Godfather. “But unfortunately, that’s never going to be able to be the case. And so I’m happy that they at least will spend the rest of their lives in jail for what they did to De’Avry.”
While addressing the court, Falconer broke down in tears after he said he knew De’Avry personally. He also spoke directly to De’Avry’s mom.
“You still [are] and were the best mother to have raised him...None of what you’ve heard is true...I would never hurt you or your family...I can honestly say you were my best friend,” Falconer said.
“What would I want [what] you’re sorry for,” Green asked. “My son’s never coming back.”
Dea’Shea and De’Avry’s godfather gave victim impact statements, wearing shirts with pictures of De’Avry. You can see them in full below.
Victim impact statements by WPXI Staff on Scribd
“I haven’t felt or been myself in one year, three months and seven days exactly today,” Dea’Shea said.
Afterward, Anger and Falconer addressed the court. They both asked for new attorneys saying they weren’t given a fair trial. Both of them also maintained their innocence.
Anger told the judge it’s sad for all the families involved and that it’s been a rough, heartbreaking 15 months.
“...Being a father myself makes it hard for me, raising kids from prison,” Anger said.
“I think ultimately people make decisions that they’re not ready to own up to but in this case, they were forced to,” Darden said.
Judge Beemer said this was one of the most difficult cases. He called what Anger and Falconer did “brazen and reckless” and that he has no words to describe this tragedy that they caused.
The judge said he’d appoint new attorneys for both Anger and Falconer by the end of the day. Anger and Falconer said they plan to appeal.
District Attorney Stephen Zappala released a statement shortly after the sentencing. It reads:
“The evidence in this case proved guilt beyond doubt and was irrefutable thanks to the investigative work of the Pittsburgh Police,” said Zappala. “This was a heinous, senseless crime that resulted in the loss of an innocent child’s life. We are pleased with the sentencing outcome, and our hearts go out to the family of De’Avry during this time.”
Darden told Channel 11′s Alyssa Raymond that De’Avry’s legacy will live on through the name of the De’Avry A. Thomas Community Center and his non-profit called the Young Black Motivated Kings and Queens. The community center will offer kids a safe space and other resources.
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