An Akron woman sobbed from the time she walked into a Summit County courtroom Friday morning until she was led away in shackles, sentenced to 18 years to life in prison for a crime she claims she didn’t commit.
Kerieda Beavers has maintained her innocence for the shooting death of her boyfriend, Tavael Parker, but was convicted of murder last month by a jury. She plans to appeal.
Brandie Howlett, Tavael Parker’s stepmother, spoke at Beavers’ sentencing, clearly convinced that Beavers was responsible for Parker’s death in January.
“I’ve never hated anyone in my life, but I hate you,” she told Beavers, making the young woman sob harder and wipe away tears with a crumpled tissue.
A jury in Summit County Common Pleas Court found Beavers not guilty of one count of murder that is to “purposely cause the death of another,” but guilty of another murder charge that is to “cause the death of another as the result of committing a felony.” In this case, the felony is felonious assault.
The split verdict stunned Beavers and her defense attorneys, who thought the lack of any scientific evidence against Beavers, including no gunshot residue or DNA on the weapon used in the shooting, would create enough doubt in the jurors’ minds to win her an acquittal.
H.F. Inderlied Jr., a visiting judge, sentenced Beavers on Friday to life in prison with the possibility of parole in 15 years on the murder charge and three years on a gun specification, for a total of 18 years. This was a mandatory sentence.
Prosecutors say Beavers, 22, shot and killed Parker, also 22 and of Akron, in the head after they argued on the return trip from a corner store for beer about 1 a.m. Jan. 9 in the 1000 block of Weehawken Place. The gun used in the shooting was found under Parker’s body.
Prosecutors said Beavers’ shooting Parker was the most logical explanation. Jeff Laybourne and Walt Benson, however, Beavers’ attorneys, pointed to other potential explanations, including that Parker shot himself, either on purpose or accidentally, or that one of the occupants of a gray car seen by witnesses speeding away fired the shot.
Howlett said the last time she talked to Parker, they discussed Beavers. She told Parker to leave Beavers alone but he said he loved her.
“None of us know why,” Howlett said, her voice filled with anger. “I hope you suffer every day. I hope every day gets worse and worse for you.”
Assistant Summit County Prosecutor Jon Baumoel said no one has anything bad to say about Parker.
“He died too young,” Baumoel said. “He didn’t deserve to die on the sidewalk in the streets of Akron. I ask the court to hold her accountable.”
Laybourne said he and Benson advised Beavers against speaking at her sentencing because she plans to appeal. He asked the judge to consider running the 15 years on the murder charge and three years on the gun specification concurrently.
Inderlied, however, said his reading of the law is that the prison time for the gun specification must be run consecutively with the time for the murder charge.
“We love you!” Beavers’ family members said as deputies led her away. Beavers’ mother clutched a blanket and hat with her favorite cartoon character, SpongeBob SquarePants.
“We don’t understand any of it,” said Burieda Raley, Beavers’ sister. “We’re going to fight for her to be home.”
Inderlied appointed attorney Jeff James to handle Beavers’ appeal at the suggestion of Laybourne and Benson, both who were clearly devastated by the verdict and prison sentence.
“Attorney Benson and I remain astonished by the jury’s ability to circumvent the lack of gunshot residue on her hands and clothes, as well as the lack of DNA on the firearm,” Laybourne said. “Kerieda strongly maintains her innocence, and we are confident that the Court of Appeals will come to a different conclusion than the jury.”
Stephanie Warsmith can be reached at 330-996-3705, swarsmith@thebeaconjournal.com or on Twitter: @swarsmithabj .