Published: Tuesday, January 9, 2007
Man takes plea in baby's death
WARREN — A 20-year-old city man, accompanied by his mother, accepted a plea agreement Monday that could send him to prison for one to five years for accidentally shooting to death his 7-month-old half brother with a sawed-off shotgun.
David E. Young, 20, of School Street N.W., pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter in the death of Adam Gunter. He will be sentenced after an investigation by the county's Adult Probation Department.
Chris Becker, assistant Trumbull County prosecutor, told Judge W. Wyatt McKay that on Dec. 3, 2005, Young was handling a sawed-off shotgun at the School Street address, pointed it at a wall and fired. The blast struck Gunter in the abdomen as he slept in his crib in the next room, killing him.
Becker said Young has admitted to police that his intoxication was the primary reason for the accident
In exchange for the plea, prosecutors dropped charges of using weapons while intoxicated and unlawful possession of a dangerous ordnance. Young could also be fined up to $10,000.
Young, whose trial on the three charges was scheduled to begin Monday, came to court with his mother, Robin Thompson Gunter, who is also the baby's mother.
Becker said Robin Gunter wanted all charges dropped against Young, but he said such an accident is similar to what happens when someone drives drunk and accidentally kills a passenger in his car. The only difference is the type of weapon that did the killing, Becker said.
Young will remain on $15,000 bond and electronically monitored house arrest until the sentencing.
More Stories from Fri, Jan 12, 2007
- Talks could aid bond rating
- Deputies' union chief urges officials to keep focus on...
- School district blocks newspaper Web site
- Burglary suspects arrested after car runs out of gas
- Arbiter's ruling ended auxiliary force in '90s
- Woman pleads guilty to vehicular homicide
- Two trustees forgo 2007 increases in salaries
- Suit claims official fired detective who supported opponent
from vindyJOBS.com
