Cleveland - Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael C. O’Malley has announced that Demarcus Sanders, 23, was sentenced to Life in prison for shooting and killing a Warrensville Heights man, 39, in November 2018.
“This defendant knew at the time what he was doing was wrong and he was held to account under Ohio law,” said Prosecutor O’Malley. “Our thoughts remain with the victim’s family during this difficult time.”
On November 4, 2018, Sanders and the victim argued outside of Sanders’ residence on Warrensville Center Rd. near Sunset Dr. in Warrensville Heights. Sanders went inside his house, retrieved a shotgun, walked back outside and chased the victim after the victim ran away. Sanders fired one shot and missed before chasing the victim over 800 feet and shooting twice more – striking the victim in his back and back of his head. The victim collapsed and Sanders went through his pockets and took money before running back home.
Warrensville Heights Police responded and the victim was pronounced deceased on scene. Sanders was quickly identified as a suspect through witnesses and nearby surveillance footage. When WHPD attempted to arrest Sanders at his residence, he refused to turn himself in. WHPD obtained a search warrant and called Valley Enforcement Group’s SWAT unit to assist in the apprehension of Sanders. Tear gas was deployed into Sanders’ home and, after several hours of Sanders refusing to exit, officers entered the residence, found him hiding under blankets in a bathroom, and apprehended him. The shotgun was recovered hidden underneath his bed. DNA and ballistic evidence, along with surveillance footage and witness identification, all linked Sanders to the crime.
The defendant waived his right to a jury trial and a court trial commenced. The judge found him guilty on all counts which included:
- 2 counts of Aggravated Murder
- 1 count of Murder
- 1 count of Aggravated Robbery
- 1 count of Felonious Assault
Sanders was sentenced to Life in prison with parole eligibility after 26 years.
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