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Canton man arrested in shooting
By From staff and wire reports
Published on Monday, Jul 06, 2009
CANTON: A second suspect is in custody in the fatal shooting of a 2-year-old girl in her Canton home.
Police say 20-year-old Maki G. Ragland was arrested Saturday at his mother's home, in the 1300 block of Ivydale Southwest, Canton.
Police say Ragland and William H. Ferguson, 20, both of Canton, entered the girl's home Thursday night and demanded money.
The toddler, Harmoney Sankey, was shot and killed, and her grandfather was pistol-whipped and shot in the leg. The grandfather was treated and released from a hospital.
Police say Ferguson surrendered to authorities Saturday morning in Elyria, where he has relatives.
Ragland and Ferguson face charges of aggravated robbery and aggravated murder.
They remained jailed Sunday night, with bond set at$5 million each. It wasn't immediately clear whether they had attorneys.
Despite their youth, both men have felony criminal records.
Ragland was 18 when he was arrested Dec. 6, 2007, on charges of illegally possessing a weapon, a third-degree felony, and carrying a concealed weapon, a fourth-degree felony.
He pleaded guilty to both charges on Jan. 22, 2008. He was sentenced by Common Pleas Judge Lee Sinclair to a year on each charge, to be served concurrently.
Shortly after his release from the North Coast Correctional Treatment Facility, in Lorain County, he was arrested on Feb. 23 in connection with an armed robbery in which two men were shot.
Ragland was charged with two counts of aggravated robbery, a first-degree felony, and two counts of felonious assault, a second-degree felony, with firearms specifications.
But a jury found Ragland not guilty on June 25.
Ferguson was arrested on May 22, 2008, on a warrant charging him with aggravated robbery, a first-degree felony, according to Stark County court records. The charge was dropped after a grand jury declined to indict.
On March 27, he was arrested on a variety of charges, including carrying a concealed weapon, illegally possessing a weapon, trafficking and possession of cocaine.
He pleaded guilty on June 15 to a single count of aggravated possession of drugs, and was sentenced to two years of ''intensive supervision'' probation and 200 hours of community service and ordered to get a GED.
An arrest warrant charging him with violating his parole was issued Thursday — the day of the toddler's death.
CANTON: A second suspect is in custody in the fatal shooting of a 2-year-old girl in her Canton home.
Get the full article here.
Comments
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Akron, Oh
Posted 05:13 AM, 07/06/2009
I guess it could be said that the ineptness of our judicial system was an indirect cause of the childs death. What a shame, with all the gun charges that they didn't lock these thugs up and throw away the key.
Posted 07:12 AM, 07/06/2009
Shortly after his release from the North Coast Correctional Treatment Facility, in Lorain County, he was arrested on Feb. 23 in connection with an armed robbery in which two men were shot.
Ragland was charged with two counts of aggravated robbery, a first-degree felony, and two counts of felonious assault, a second-degree felony, with firearms specifications.
But a jury found Ragland not guilty on June 25.
And a week later, he was on the street where he killed a 2 year-old. So, members of the jury and the DA's office, which of you are going to apologize to the family of the dead girl?
Akron, oh
Posted 07:36 AM, 07/06/2009
I must say a lot of this crime falls on the judicial system who pampers our crooks.
Home invaisions seem to become the norm and until the judical system treats these muggers as harsh as posssible and the armed citizens eliminate these social parasites this problem will grow.
KOOKville, oh
Posted 07:54 AM, 07/06/2009
Shoulda killed both of them a long, long time ago.
Akron, Oh
Posted 07:55 AM, 07/06/2009
gildee...
Now you have a predicament. You said that you will defend "your people", so do you defend the murderous thug criminals, or the 2 year old dead black girl?
My guess is you'll either put some sort of racial slant on it and blame the "white" guy or you'll simply stay away from this article. Let's sit back and watch.
Akron, OH
Posted 07:59 AM, 07/06/2009
I must say, with the rise in crime that we read about, it certainly promotes the idea of a major change in the judicial system is needed.
@Larry- well said.
Akron, Oh
Posted 08:27 AM, 07/06/2009
Appqrently the judicial system worked him. He, obviously, was tried and acquited by a jury of his "peers".
akron, oh
Posted 09:09 AM, 07/06/2009
SO WHY DO PEOPLE EVEN GET ARRESTED ANYMORE IF THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM JUST LETS THEM GO ANYWAY??? WTF AMERICA
Canal Fulton, Oh
Posted 09:09 AM, 07/06/2009
How would a jury possibly acquit this man?and I use the word man loosely.????
Akron, , OH
Posted 09:42 AM, 07/06/2009
An American thug epidemic!!!
Increase the electric in the Joint quickly!!
AKRON, OH
Posted 09:51 AM, 07/06/2009
@ Larry pretty much said it all for me, except I feel our judicial system killed this poor little girl. I hope they give him the death penalty and I pray it is a slow and painful death.
My sympathy to this family, this is a tragedy that could have and should have been avoided, had they locked up this scum when they had the chance.
Akron, OH
Posted 10:09 AM, 07/06/2009
why kill the 2 year old? I hate people anymore
AKRON, OH
Posted 10:34 AM, 07/06/2009
My thoughts and prayers go out the family of this 2y.o. girl. How sad that our judicial system let both of these nitwits back onto our streets. So could someone please explain how someone under "intense supervision" is able to commit a murder? I dont blame the previous jury's though. I want the defense attorney to answer my question;"How does it make you feel when the criminals that you help to avoid jail time shoot and kill a defenseless 2 year old girl, and pistol whip and shoot a grandfather?" I just want to look into the defense attorneys eyes as he answers me that question with the victims family beside me weeping in anguish. Mr. Defense attorney how can you make a living putting our families at risk.
Maybe we could pass legislation to cut down on this. Hey congress! Pass a new law. If criminals go on to commit violent crimes after an attorney plea bargains them out of jail time; said defense attorney can be held liable with their client, and subject to the jail terms their client incurs by being a repeat offender.
Norton, oh
Posted 10:37 AM, 07/06/2009
Why the judicial system lets this scum roam our streets is beyond me. They had multiple chances to keep them off our streets and pathetically failed...now we have an innocent child dead and the poor grandfather grieving and injured.
SOMETHING IS VERY WRONG HERE. THIS IS DISGUSTING.
OUR HARD EARNED TAX DOLLARS AT WORK PEOPLE......
Posted 10:47 AM, 07/06/2009
For all of those complaigning that the judicial system failed, what is your solution. Longer sentences and no early release requires more prison space. That will cost more money, from our taxes.
Or other offenders would not be jailed to make space for these people.
So what is the solution?
Saying "Keep them in jail longer" does not solve anything.
Stuckin... While your idea sounds interesting, no lawyer would ever defend people in criminal cases if they were subject to such a law.
Akron, OH
Posted 10:55 AM, 07/06/2009
I hope one of those thugs break into my house. I'll be waiting for him to get all the way in so I can shoot to kill. There won't be any trial or second chances.
akron, oh
Posted 11:33 AM, 07/06/2009
racy has said it and will say it again "just a couple punks in the street"aerosmith said it too
Akron, OH
Posted 12:52 PM, 07/06/2009
If they would give these trouble makers tougher sentences then they would have still been in jail. Ohio has too many slaps on the wrist for criminals
Barberton, Oh
Posted 01:00 PM, 07/06/2009
How sad we live in a society where thugs like this not only get second chances but dozens of chances before they kill someone.Now here we have a girl who will never get to experience the joys of childhood all because a couple of ignorant thugs needed a few bucks.I feel the previous jurys,lawyers and judges are all responsible for this girls death.Its not like they didnt have enough evidence in the other cases to prove they were thugs.Just easier to kick them to the streets and wait for the inevitable to happen.There isn't a death penalty severe enough for what these 2 did.We could fry them to death give them CPR and bring them back to give them a lethal injection and it still isn't severe enough.I really believe we are headed for a time of complete unrest,where we are going to be told to stay in our homes after a certain time because the streets are run by criminals.Its going to be like a bad horror movie except for zombie trying to eat or brains..its going to be a few two bit thugs wanting to kill us for $3.oo bucks.
akron, oh
Posted 01:44 PM, 07/06/2009
I hope this scumbag dies in jail.
Akron, Oh
Posted 02:58 PM, 07/06/2009
Steve, how about we build more prisons? Keeping ***holes like this off the street is something I don't mind my taxes paying for. Maybe we need to expedite the execution process? How many cold-blooded killers sit in prison for 20 years?
Stuckincrackron, you may be onto something. Unfortunately, most of our "leaders" in congress are lawyers, so your idea probably wouldn't be welcomed.
Posted 04:02 PM, 07/06/2009
If anyone deserves the death penalty its these dirt bags. Note to other youths get a job and support yourself rather than tring to take from other people.
akron , oh
Posted 06:11 PM, 07/06/2009
@STUCKINCRACKRON please shut up. don't blame the defense atty for doing his or her job. they are not responsible for the crimes their clients commit. the only ones responsible are the scums who committed this crime end of story.
AKRON, OH
Posted 07:40 PM, 07/06/2009
THIS IS A SHAME AND DISGRACE. THE ATTORNEYS ARE THE DEVILS ADVOCATES. THEY DON'T CARE ABOUT THE LIL GIRL OR HER FAMILY. THEY ONLY WANT THE MONEY. ASK ATTORNEY JOHN SIN, GORMAN, LETS EVEN PUT THE SCANK ATTORNEY JENNA DELOUCH IN QUESTION. THATS HOW THEY ACTED DURING ANOTHER LIL GIRLS MURDER TRAIL AGAINST A HOST OF THUGS. THAT ARE STILL OUT HERE ON THE STREET TERRORIZING A COMMUNITY.THANKS TO THAT SET OF ATTORNEYS. THANKS ALOT ATTORNEYS.
AKRON, OH
Posted 07:42 PM, 07/06/2009
I DONT BLAME THEM. AS A HUMAN BEING HOW CAN YOU DEFEND SOMEONE YOU KNOW IS GUILTY OF HURTING ANOTHER PERSON. THE ATTORNEY KNOWS THE TRUTH, LETS PRAY THE THUGS DONT ROB, KILL,OR HURT ONE OF THEIR LOVED ONES.
akron, OH
Posted 08:19 PM, 07/06/2009
typical thug trash should be locked up and never to see the light of day again i am sure mama says my boy is a good kid who has made some mistakes hey mama he is trash thanks for raising a thug
Central Valley, CA
Posted 10:12 PM, 07/06/2009
@Stephen, I agree with you. I wouldn't mind my taxes going to new and bigger prisons. Lets see, a few more jobs for a while will help the unemployed, we'll need more prison guards..more jobs...the Judges and DAs can hand out the correct sentences for these thugs..less of them on the street, crime rate may drop..crime leaves neighborhoods, property values increase...
Am I missing anything?
Akron, Oh
Posted 11:09 PM, 07/06/2009
@UseCommonSense...get a life, my comments have all been in reference to any story on Don Baker, we buried him today, let it be, I did!
Tallmadge, OH
Posted 12:33 AM, 07/07/2009
See, the real problem with the system is that small time offenders, locked up for stuff like weed and other stupid stuff, take up the space that these guys should've had. Also, once you're in the system you can never really repay your debt. It makes no sense to me that I have many felonies but none are violent, yet I can never own a gun, never teach my son to hunt, yet If anyone is going to kill someone, anyone can get a gun, it's just plain stupid to me. Also, I have not been in ANY trouble for the 6 yrs I've been out of prison, yet I can no longer persue good careers, and even skilled trades don't want felons. If I didn't have a very supportive family I know that I would probably resort back to easy money. But, you can get a shorter sentence if you rob somebody than if you sell dope. See the shift in crime?
Tallmadge, OH
Posted 12:39 AM, 07/07/2009
Also, what the hell was this guy doing in Northcoast? Thats a minimum security parent. Maybe, they should've sent him to the walls so he can see what its really gonna be like for the next 20 yrs. I can't wait to write my buddies and let them know about all the trash that's coming their way, get ol Boxin Betty ready for em.
Akron, Oh
Posted 06:44 AM, 07/07/2009
Harsher punishments are needed for those who are repeat offenders and the death penalty process shouldn't take 20 years. Do it like they do it in Iraq, once the person is found guilty, they must be executed within 30 days, if they confess, roll out the plastic and do it instantly. There's no reason to spend another dime on most of this trash out there. If a thug knocks off a thug, like in the drive-by the other day, give the shooter a lighter sentence or even a reward, give those scum an insentive to knock each other out. I've promised myself to look into these judge's past rulings during election time so that I can make better decisions on who I vote for, more folks ought to do the same.
Posted 07:39 AM, 07/07/2009
You cannot blame defense attorneys because the State could not prove it's case before a jury. Everyone accused of a crime is ENTITLED to have adequate defense. That's what makes our system different from, say, Iran where trials and convictions are done in secret without the convicted having any opportunity to defend themselves. Yes, this man is scum but he still has the right to a defense. To permit less places what we consider as the "American Way" in danger. Don't be so quick to erode freedoms and rights we all enjoy because of some scum getting off. Doing so only makes his "acquital" more of a travesty.
akron, oh
Posted 09:59 AM, 07/07/2009
How about this instead of making excuses for these losers and sying the justice system is also at fault or the DA or the jury how about now everyone listen really close it freaking crazy lets just say it was the fault of the guys that pulled the trigger i know its crazy these guys did what they did it cant be undone that little baby is gone forever and the people that have to face that everyday are her family and friends god bless them and may god punish those men for taking what he gave to her family an angel that will never be held or read to or pushed on a swing again
Akron, Oh
Posted 11:42 AM, 07/07/2009
Butch&Angie...
That's a lot of words strung together, can you say punctuation?? I knew you could.
akron , oh
Posted 11:47 AM, 07/07/2009
punctuation bad......
