3 Of 4 Suspects Sentenced In Recorded St. Patrick's Day Beating
BALTIMORE (WJZ)— Case closed. Four suspects pleaded guilty in the beating of an innocent tourist in downtown Baltimore.
Adam May reports the suspects escaped the most serious charges.
Some of the suspects were facing more than a decade in jail. Instead, most will be released from jail between now and later this year.
The case involving this humiliating attack on a tourist on St. Patrick's Day comes to a close.
In a downtown courtroom, just feet away from where the assault took place, four suspects pleaded guilty.
"I saw the video and I was appalled," said Warren Brown, defense attorney.
According to Brown, his 20-year-old client, Aaron Parsons, received a sentence of three years in jail, with all but one suspended.
More than half a million people have seen the video of Parsons throwing that first punch.
"He offered an apology to both the victim and the city, interestingly because he knows he brought disrepute to the city, considering this went viral and cast a negative image of the city," Brown said.
The victim of the beating did not appear in the courtroom, but prosecutors say they did reach out to him, and he was okay with the plea bargain.
Other suspects also pleaded guilty. Deangelo Carter, 19, and Shayona Davis, 20, were sentenced to one year with all but time served. The original charges were much more severe.
"Ms. Davis used her high heel shoes as a weapon during the attack. We charged her with armed robbery because she used that high heel shoe as a blunt force object," said Anthony Guglielmi, police spokesman.
In a statement, the Baltimore City State's Attorney praised police.
"The individuals responsible for this assault on an innocent civilian were identified and brought to justice in such an expeditious manner. I would like to express my gratitude to all involved for the timely and just outcomes achieved thus far," State's Attorney Gregg L. Bernstein said.
A fourth suspect, 21-year-old Shatia Baldwin, will be sentenced Dec. 7.
