A woman was charged with disorderly conduct Thursday after disrupting a State Supreme Court session where her son was sentenced for murder.
Devon “Ghost” Scott, 19, of Buffalo, previously pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the July 1, 2012, death of Darrell Anderson, 30, also of Buffalo, who was shot after leaving a store at Genesee Street and Goodyear Avenue.
The plea agreement came after a jury was selected for Scott’s trial but before opening statements. The agreement called for a prison sentence of 15 years to life, according to prosecutor Gary W. Hackbush of the Erie County District Attorney’s Office.
Scott had faced 25 years to life if convicted at trial. The agreement was for the minimum sentence.
The woman, whose name was not immediately available, was removed after speaking out when Hackbush said the victim’s family had agreed with the sentence.
“That’s not true,” she said.
Seconds later, as she was escorted from the courtroom, she told a court officer. “Don’t touch me. Get off me.”
The proceeding continued before Justice Russell P. Buscaglia, with the judge addressing an inquiry by Scott – relayed through defense attorney Earl Key – about being sentenced as a youthful offender. Scott did not speak directly to the judge.
“Under the law, you are not entitled to a youthful offender adjudication,” Buscaglia said.
Even if he were, Buscaglia continued, he would not grant it because of the facts and circumstances of the case.
Details about the motive for the killing were not disclosed in court, but the judge described it as “retaliation for an act that occurred previously.”
In addition to the prison sentence, the judge ordered Scott to pay $325 to the Crime Victims Assistance program and a $50 fee for providing a sample of his DNA for the state databank.
After conferring briefly with attorneys about the earlier disruption, the judge explained that he was attempting to get to the bottom of it.
“The defendant was repeatedly told not to be disruptive in the courtroom,” the judge said. “I heard a portion of that as I was sitting on the bench.”
The judge noted that Scott’s mother was being charged with disorderly conduct. Scott’s father and grandmother also attended the sentencing.
“I am aware of how important it is to have open courtrooms, but the decorum of the courtroom has to be maintained,” Buscaglia said.
email: jhabuda@buffnews.com
Devon “Ghost” Scott, 19, of Buffalo, previously pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the July 1, 2012, death of Darrell Anderson, 30, also of Buffalo, who was shot after leaving a store at Genesee Street and Goodyear Avenue.
The plea agreement came after a jury was selected for Scott’s trial but before opening statements. The agreement called for a prison sentence of 15 years to life, according to prosecutor Gary W. Hackbush of the Erie County District Attorney’s Office.
Scott had faced 25 years to life if convicted at trial. The agreement was for the minimum sentence.
The woman, whose name was not immediately available, was removed after speaking out when Hackbush said the victim’s family had agreed with the sentence.
“That’s not true,” she said.
Seconds later, as she was escorted from the courtroom, she told a court officer. “Don’t touch me. Get off me.”
The proceeding continued before Justice Russell P. Buscaglia, with the judge addressing an inquiry by Scott – relayed through defense attorney Earl Key – about being sentenced as a youthful offender. Scott did not speak directly to the judge.
“Under the law, you are not entitled to a youthful offender adjudication,” Buscaglia said.
Even if he were, Buscaglia continued, he would not grant it because of the facts and circumstances of the case.
Details about the motive for the killing were not disclosed in court, but the judge described it as “retaliation for an act that occurred previously.”
In addition to the prison sentence, the judge ordered Scott to pay $325 to the Crime Victims Assistance program and a $50 fee for providing a sample of his DNA for the state databank.
After conferring briefly with attorneys about the earlier disruption, the judge explained that he was attempting to get to the bottom of it.
“The defendant was repeatedly told not to be disruptive in the courtroom,” the judge said. “I heard a portion of that as I was sitting on the bench.”
The judge noted that Scott’s mother was being charged with disorderly conduct. Scott’s father and grandmother also attended the sentencing.
“I am aware of how important it is to have open courtrooms, but the decorum of the courtroom has to be maintained,” Buscaglia said.
email: jhabuda@buffnews.com