A Clairton teen was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole plus seven to 25 years for brutally murdering an 82-year-old woman and stealing her car.
Johnie 'Trey' Washington III, 19, was convicted by a 12-member jury on Feb. 18 of first-degree murder, burglary and theft by unlawful taking in connection with the October 2007 beating death of Florence 'Flo' Ranta. Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge Kevin G. Sasinoski imposed the sentence Thursday morning.
He was charged with those offenses in connection with the Oct. 6, 2007, attack in Ranta`s home that resulted in her death four days later.
Sasinoski said he considered sentencing guidelines such as the mandatory life sentence that comes with a first-degree murder conviction, along with the nature of the offenses, social and family history as well as Washington`s age at the time of the incident before fashioning the sentence.
Washington was 15 at the time of Ranta`s death, but was tried as an adult. He entered Sasinoski`s courtroom Thursday morning much like he did during the trial — wearing dress clothes, shackles and handcuffs — and smiled at family members, asking them, 'What`s up?'
His family declined comment after the sentencing.
Washington attacked Ranta, cut her phone line so she couldn`t call for help, and stole her silver Toyota Corolla to take his friends to a party and drive around, according to testimony.
Assistant district attorney Lisa Pellegrini read letters submitted by Ranta`s family members, including her brother-in-law George Apple.
'Flo`s memory will linger with us for ever,' Apple wrote. 'We just couldn`t understand how such an unbelievable thing could happen. It`s hard to comprehend.'
The victim`s family also wrote they hope Washington has 'many sleepless nights in his new confines.'
Ranta`s sister Cecelia Apple and brother Melvin Kasmarski talked about Ranta and the case outside the courtroom after the sentencing.
'I love my sister very much. I just can`t believe she`s gone,' said Cecelia Apple. 'Finally we have closure today. That`s what I prayed for.'
'She was a great sister. No matter what you asked for she just couldn`t say no,' Kasmarski said.
Attorneys Elliot Howie and John Zagari represented Washington.
Zagari said after the sentencing that juvenile laws need to be changed and that the system failed the family prior to the incident.
Washington`s grandmother Gonda Meade testified the family tried many things to get him some help, including attempting to get him into an out-of-state military boot camp, and 'I knew he was headed for trouble.'
Washington`s mother Anitra Washington testified during the trial that she filed an application and petition of dependency with the county court`s Family Division Juvenile Section.
Former Clairton police officer Jodi Leitzell testified she assisted the family with preparation of the document, signed it, and faxed it to the county court in August 2007, and did not hear a response until around the date Ranta was killed.
Washington declined to comment prior to sentencing, and afterward he said he would file an appeal.
Washington has 10 days from sentencing to appeal the ruling and/or trial. The court then has 120 days, with a possible 30-day extension, to take action on the appeal. If no action is taken, the appeal is deemed denied. Washington then will have 30 days to appeal the denial to state Superior Court if he so chooses.
Zagari said he and Howie would not be representing Washington with an appeal.
Sasinoski informed Washington that the courts could appoint an attorney for him.
