In the fatal shooting of a 14-year-old girl discovered left in a trash-filled Gary alley with her hands bound behind her back, a Chicago man was sentenced to 105 years in prison.
Deonlashawn Simmons, 36, was sentenced on Thursday for the murder of Takaylah Tribitt in September 2019. The body of the Chicago girl was discovered facedown, her hands bound behind her back with ropes.
She was a runaway who met Simmons five days before her body was recovered at a birthday celebration.
Simmons was found guilty of murder by a jury in March, and he later agreed to firearm and chronic offender enhancements.
He has maintained his innocence and announced his intention to appeal on Thursday.
“That’s all the law permits us,” said Deputy Prosecutor Doug Shaw, who referred to Tribitt’s death as an execution and requested the judge to impose the maximum 105-year term.
In court, Shaw referred to Tribitt as a defenseless youngster.
Simmons’ lawyer requested a 56-year sentence, with five years suspended in exchange for probation.
