Three family members acquitted in murder and car theft at LeBron’s school.
OAN’s Brooke Mallory
2:07 PM – Tuesday, September 26, 2023
A Summit County jury in Ohio delivered a surprising verdict, finding two men accused of involuntary manslaughter in the murder of 17-year-old Ethan Liming at LeBron James’ “I Promise” school in Akron, not guilty.
LeBron James established the public elementary school in Akron, Ohio, as a “support system for families and kids in need.”
On June 2nd, 2022, Deshawn Stafford Jr., 20, and Tyler Stafford, 19, were present at the scene when Liming suffered a fatal blow to the head, according to Cleveland.com.
The verdict was announced on Monday by the Summit County jury and involved two counts of involuntary manslaughter against Deshawn and Tyler Stafford.
The jury found the Stafford brothers “not guilty” on the second count but could not reach a conviction on the first count.
Liming was involved in an altercation with Deshawn, Tyler, and Donovon Jones in 2022 after driving by LeBron’s school and reportedly firing a pellet gun in the same vicinity as the three men.
After firing the water bead pellets, the trio confronted Liming and his group. According to police testimony, Liming, who was driving with friends, had been smoking marijuana and “pranking” onlookers with the pellet gun.
The first suspect, Deshawn Stafford, initiated a conversation with Liming before his brother Tyler and cousin Donovon Jones joined in.
Liming’s fatal injuries were determined to be caused by blunt trauma to the head, which occurred when Deshawn punched him, causing him to fall and hit his head.
The autopsy also revealed that Liming had a broken neck and a “shoe imprint in his chest wall” at the time of his death.
“The family has gone through something that no one should ever have to deal with — the emotions tied to this, the loss of a child. We respect their grieving,” said Brad Gessner, the Summit County Prosecutor’s Office chief counsel. ”There’s nothing that can be done to bring their child back. This is something that, in better circumstances, would have never happened.”
Deshawn, Tyler, and Donovon then stole Liming’s car from the scene after he fell.
However, the three men claimed that they acted in self-defense when Liming and his friends fired a pellet gun at them minutes earlier.
Deshawn Stafford also argued in court that he only “moved the car to prevent Liming’s pals from running away as the cops approached.” Ultimately, Stafford, his brother, and their cousin fled the scene in the car.
“Under Ohio law, a person is allowed to use force in self-defense or in defense of another. You’re allowed to do that,” said defense attorney Jon Sinn. “You don’t have to back up from a fight… He met a punch with a punch. These boys were not looking for trouble. Trouble came looking for them.”
No reports mention what happened in court regarding their cousin, Donovon Jones, who was also present at the scene.
“I naively believed that once the people who murdered my son were caught, the justice system would simply handle things. We’ve said all along we were confident when the facts of the case were presented that Ethan would receive justice,” said Liming’s father, Bill Liming.
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How has the verdict in the trial of Deshawn and Tyler Stafford sparked controversy and divided opinions within the community
Ened.”
The trial lasted for two weeks and included testimony from witnesses, forensic experts, and law enforcement officers. The jury was tasked with determining whether Deshawn and Tyler Stafford were responsible for Ethan Liming’s death.
During the trial, the prosecution argued that Deshawn initiated the confrontation with Liming and delivered the fatal blow that resulted in his death. They presented evidence of Liming’s injuries and statements from witnesses who saw the altercation.
The defense, on the other hand, claimed that the Stafford brothers were acting in self-defense. They argued that Liming and his group had provoked the altercation by firing a pellet gun and engaging in reckless behavior. They presented evidence of Liming’s drug use and challenging behavior prior to the incident.
Despite the conflicting testimonies and evidence, the jury ultimately found the Stafford brothers not guilty on the second count of involuntary manslaughter. However, they could not reach a verdict on the first count, leaving it unresolved.
The verdict has sparked controversy and divided opinions within the community. Some believe that justice was served, as the evidence presented did not conclusively prove the Stafford brothers’ guilt. Others argue that the jury’s decision sends a dangerous message that violence can go unpunished.
The family of Ethan Liming has expressed their disappointment with the verdict. They have gone through an unimaginable loss and were hoping for accountability for their son’s death. However, they understand that the legal process is complex and respect the jury’s decision.
LeBron James’ “I Promise” school, which was founded with the intention of providing support and opportunities for underprivileged children, has also been affected by the tragedy. The incident has raised concerns about safety and security at the school and prompted discussions about implementing additional measures to ensure the well-being of students and staff.
The case of Ethan Liming’s death is a painful reminder of the consequences that can arise from altercations and violence. It serves as a call for society to address the root causes of such incidents and work towards creating safer communities.
As the legal proceedings continue, the community will undoubtedly remain divided over the verdict. The case has brought to light important conversations about justice, accountability, and the complexities of the legal system.
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
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