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Akron man pleads guilty to murder, faces prison term of 21 years to life
By Ed Meyer
Beacon Journal staff writer
Published on Wednesday, Oct 08, 2008
An Akron man pleaded guilty Tuesday to murder, aggravated robbery and other offenses in the 2007 shooting death of 17-year-old Jeffrey Gardner.
In exchange for the guilty plea, Summit County prosecutors moved for dismissal of a charge of aggravated murder against Ty L. Mitchell, 21.
Mitchell, who also pleaded guilty to a gun specification, will be facing a prison term of 21 years to life when he is sentenced on Oct. 29 by Common Pleas Judge Robert M. Gippin, defense lawyer Joseph F. Gorman said.
Mitchell's case was the last of three to be resolved in the Gardner slaying.
The other co-defendants, Jeffrey Coffey Jr., 19, and Justin M. Georgakopoulos, 18, pleaded guilty in May to involuntary manslaughter, aggravated robbery and other offenses.
In those two cases, prosecutors recommended prison terms of 13 years for Coffey and 16 years for Georgakopoulos, according to court records.
All three defendants are in the Summit County Jail awaiting formal sentencing.
According to Akron police,
Gardner was shot at about 10:30 p.m. on Dec. 17, 2007, after Mitchell, Coffey and Georgakopoulos, then 17, broke into an apartment in the 600 block of Grant Street.
Gardner, who had a shotgun, went to the apartment to try to help a female friend who was being robbed there at gunpoint.
A confrontation occurred, Gardner fired the shotgun and he, in turn, was shot by Mitchell, Gorman said.
In an earlier juvenile court hearing for Georgakopoulos, three witnesses identified Mitchell as the shooter.
After Tuesday's court appearance, Gorman said Mitchell ''never intended to be involved in a homicide. There was a confrontation in the house, and that escalated when a call was made to [Gardner], who came to the house with a shotgun.''
The shotgun blast by Gardner left a hole in the wall near Mitchell at the top of a stairwell, Gorman said.
The prosecution's sentencing recommendation for Mitchell was 15 years to life for murder, three years for an accompanying gun specification and three years for armed robbery, Gorman said.
Mitchell will not be eligible for parole until he is 42.
Coffey and Georgakopoulos also will be sentenced by Gippin on Oct. 29.
Ed Meyer can be reached at 330-996-3784 or emeyer@thebeaconjournal.com.
An Akron man pleaded guilty Tuesday to murder, aggravated robbery and other offenses in the 2007 shooting death of 17-year-old Jeffrey Gardner.
Get the full article here.
Comments
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Posted 09:05 AM, 10/08/2008
Another plea bargain. And this Prosecutors is all about victims assistance?
Please vote for Nancy Morrison and for Justice
Posted 09:15 AM, 10/08/2008
Stop quoting a slimy attorney and quote the facts. There are at least 6 witnesses that have said the hand gun shot off first. Jeff was shot as soon as he rounded the steps - his finger jerked and shot a whole at the base of the wall/ceiling. Ty didn't wait to see who/what was coming up the steps. He was trying to rob these folks at gun point and was holding them hostage because he was on drugs and was furious that they had nothing but $3. Murder is less than a hop, skip and a jump from what he was doing - but he didn't intended it... My eye! He intended to steal from other folks at whatever cost - that's what he intended. Justice is an illusion.
akron, oh
Posted 01:59 PM, 10/08/2008
Who cares. At least all these punks are off the streets for now.
Posted 03:43 PM, 10/08/2008
For now Tim they are off the streets, but I seriously hope they stop by your house on their way home from the pokey. I care. That was my nephew they murdered. Don't be so insensitive.
akron, oh
Posted 04:50 PM, 10/08/2008
Your nephew was no saint. Bye-bye.
Posted 06:47 PM, 10/08/2008
Don't sweat it Gardner Family,
Anyone with any common sense knows you do not go to prison for Manslaughter, Robbery and Murder if you were defending your self from physical harm. Try to forgive. Everyone asks God for forgiveness from time to time. At least we got some Justice. There are lots of family's out there who lose family members to violence and never see justice. Surely these kids have a long time in prison with the big boys to think about their actions. And Surely they will not come out of prison the same as they went in. Take some justice in that.
We will always miss Jeffrey
Posted 10:21 AM, 10/09/2008
No, my nephew was no saint. He was a real life human being cut down before his 18th birthday. You have a lot to learn about life and sensitivity. I hope you learn it from one of Crackron's thugs.
