8/10/12 Life in prison for Wooster man convicted of murder

  • By Nick Sabo
  • August 10, 2012
  • 402
                        
SUMMARY: Judge says past criminal record, other factors led to life sentence A Wooster man convicted of murder was sentenced Friday Aug. 10 to life in prison. Lashaun Reed, 23, 716 Quinby Ave., Apt. D, was sentenced on one count of aggravated murder and one count of murder by Wayne County Common Pleas Judge Corey Spitler to life in prison without parole. Reed was found guilty of the charges at the close of a three day jury trial. The jury convicted Reed of shooting and killing 21-year-old Clifford Johnson, of Wooster, Dec. 10, 2011. Assistant Prosecuting Attorney John Williams asked Spitler to impose the life sentence. Reed was on bond at the time of the shooting, having pleaded to felonious assault Nov. 11, 2011 for stabbing two men June 12, 2011. At the time of his plea, the court released Reed on a recognizance bond. Reed was sentenced to six years in prison by Spitler while awaiting trial on the murder charges. “We agreed to release (Reed) on his own recognizance to spend time with his family before being sentenced to prison,” Williams said. “We granted that request. Thirty days later, he murdered Clifford Johnson in cold blood.” Reed was twice previously convicted of assault of a peace officer and resisting arrest. He was sentenced to 15 months in prison on the second assault charge. Reed’s attorney, John Johnson Jr., asked for the minimum sentence of 23 years to life. “(Reed) is 23, 23 to life - that means he will be 46 before he can even seek judicial release,” John Johnson said. “He is a young man who’s going to mature and perhaps grow wiser.” Spitler said a number of factors led him to sentence Reed to life. Reed’s defense was to lay the blame for the shooting on his half-brother, Ashon Palmer, Spitler said, putting Palmer in “the very uncomfortable position” of having to testify against his own kin. Spitler further stated that shooting Clifford Johnson “was as close to execution” because Reed shot Johnson in the back while he was on the ground. “Most of all, I look at your record and the litany of offenses and the opportunities you’ve had to straighten out your life,” Spitler said. John Johnson said Reed intends to file an appeal.


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