2 men sentenced for role in slaying

By Peter H. Milliken

The judge previously sent another defendant to prison for 18 years in the homicide.

YOUNGSTOWN — Two defendants in a North Side homicide that occurred two years ago were sentenced to prison Thursday.

Tora Barnette, 21, of Upland Avenue, was sentenced to seven years in prison for his role in the death of David Clinkscale, 19, of Parkcliff Avenue, who was fatally shot in the back in a downstairs apartment in the 2300 block of Ohio Avenue.

Detectives said more than one person shot Clinkscale on Nov. 4, 2007.

Derrick Veal, 21, of Toledo, formerly of Youngstown, was sentenced to four years in prison.

The sentences can’t be appealed because they were agreed to by the prosecution and defense and adopted by the judge. Barnette and Veal will get credit for the 738 days they already have been jailed awaiting completion of their cases.

The sentences were imposed by Judge Maureen A. Sweeney of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court, who had sentenced James E. Steward III, 18, of Thornton Avenue, to 18 years in prison Nov. 3 for his role in the homicide.

“David was deeply loved by his family, his daughter and his friends. The three of you took his life like it was worthless like your own lives,” said Clinkscale’s grandmother, Patricia Fordham of Youngstown. “You will always be considered a murderer and a lowlife for shooting him in his back,” she said, reading the same statement she read at Steward’s sentencing. “May God have no mercy on your sorry selves.”

All three defendants initially were charged with aggravated murder, aggravated robbery and felonious assault with a gun specification. All pleaded guilty under plea agreements with the prosecution.

Steward pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and aggravated robbery with a firearm specification.

Barnette pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter with a firearm specification, and the prosecution dropped the other charges against him.

Steward shot Clinkscale, and the prosecution believes Barnette also shot Clinkscale, said Robert J. Andrews, an assistant county prosecutor.

Veal pleaded guilty to illegally possessing a weapon and to the gun specification. Prosecutors agreed to recommend a four-year sentence for him, contingent on his testimony against Steward if Steward had gone on trial.

milliken@vindy.com