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2 of 3 men sentenced for East Busway murder

PITTSBURGH — Two of three men accused in the case of a random murder on Pittsburgh’s East Busway were sentenced Thursday to prison.

Desmond Young, Jequan Frierson and Jordan Bey were charged in connection with the shooting death of 21-year-old Omar Islam in October 2013.

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Police said Bey admitted to shooting Islam seven times in the leg, five times in the back and once in the head as the 21-year-old sat waiting for a bus in a shelter just before midnight. The attack was captured on Port Authority surveillance cameras.

Bey said the three set out to rob someone because they needed money.

Since Bey was only 17 at the time of the murder, he was spared from a possible capital murder trial. His lawyer, Sumner Parker, plea-bargained for 40 years to life, admitting that his client’s crime was heinous.

"In talking to him, I thought it was in his best interest that he at least someday be able to return to society,” said Parker.

Bey won’t be eligible for parole until 2055, near his 58th birthday.

Young and Frierson were charged as conspirators in Islam’s death.

Frierson, who police say acted as the lookout, took a plea deal Thursday for a six- to 12 year prison sentence.

"He's very remorseful about this whole thing. He just wants to apologize to the victim’s family, apologize to the court for even being here,” said Elbert Gray, Frierson’s attorney.

Young is set to be sentenced in July, according to his lawyer.

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