One of four men accused of beating a Somali refugee cab driver to death nearly three years ago in Pittsburgh was sentenced Tuesday to life in prison by an Allegheny County judge.
Daniel Russell, 23, was convicted of second-degree murder in November for his role in the 2017 death of Ramadhan Mohamed of the North Side.
Three days shy of the anniversary of his uncle’s death, Hassani Mugoya wrote in a victim impact statement Tuesday that Mohamed had come to the United States for safety and a better life.
“Words cannot express the pain and anguish our family and friends have endured since his murder,” Mugoya wrote. He called it a loss that is beyond words.
“There will be no more birthday parties, backyard gatherings, holiday celebrations or other family activities to share,” he wrote. “The laughter, hugs, guidance, advice, sense of security and those opportunities to say ‘I love you’ are gone forever.”
Second-degree murder in Pennsylvania carries a mandatory sentence of life in prison without parole.
Russell’s attorney, T. Brent McCune, argued to Judge David Cashman that the sentence violates the U.S. Constitution. Cashman asked him how the mandatory sentence violates the Constitution.
“I’m not sure. I’m just preserving the issue,” McCune said.
Russell, when given the opportunity to speak, argued that McCune had provided ineffective counsel.
“He utterly failed his duty to me,” Russell told the judge. He also said McCune never visited him in jail after his conviction to discuss appeal options.
“He didn’t represent me to the best of his ability,” he said.
Mohamed, 31, was a zTrip driver when he was killed. Russell and three alleged accomplices called for the cab around 1:30 a.m. Feb. 21, 2017. They originally wanted to rob a pizza delivery driver, but it was late and the pizza shop was closed, police wrote in the criminal complaint.
A witness told police that Russell called for the cab, and then he and the others left for several minutes. When they came back, the witness said Russell was bragging about the beating.
Christian Glenn, King Edwards and Hosea Moore also face homicide charges in Mohamed’s death. They are scheduled for trial May 11.
