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YOUNGSTOWN -- Before testimony resumed Friday in the Robert L. Shelton aggravated murder trial, a plea agreement was worked out between Shelton and prosecutors, and Shelton was sentenced to 13 to 18 years in prison.
Shelton, 46, of Lithonia, Ga., pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and a gun specification and got credit for more than two years spent in the Mahoning County jail awaiting sentencing.
Shelton apologized to the family of Dymond D. Ortello, 34, the man Shelton shot to death, and apologized to his own family.
Shelton killed Ortello at the Brothers of Power Classic Cars club on Logan Avenue on the North Side on Feb. 9, 2020. Dymond Ortello's brother, Daniel Ortello, 31, and Charles Pullen, 37, shot each other to death inside the club, police said. Dymond Ortello was fatally wounded in the club's parking lot.
Rob Andrews, county assistant prosecutor, said he believes voluntary manslaughter is a "fair resolution" to the case. He said the victim's family agreed with the plea agreement.
Lynn Maro, one of Shelton's attorneys, asked Judge Maureen Sweeney of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court to approve the recommended sentence of 13 to 18 years, saying the evidence showed Shelton did not bring a gun to the club and "didn't come there with the intent for this to happen."
Shelton told the judge: "That night, I ain't come there to start no trouble. I seen my friend get killed. My back was against the wall."
Prosecutors said the friend he was referring to was Pullen.
Denise Young, sister of Dymond Ortello and Daniel Ortello, spoke only briefly to Sweeney before the judge sentenced Shelton.
Youngstown police responded to the club at 3:45 a.m. and got there within one minute of the call, finding a "chaotic scene" that involved about 100 people fleeing in vehicles from the business after the shootings that left three dead and three others injured.
Shelton was on trial on aggravated murder, murder, being a felon in possession of a firearm and tampering with evidence. The aggravated murder was amended to voluntary manslaughter and the other charges were dismissed in exchange for Shelton's plea.