After sentencing Jaron Haten-McCoy for his role in a 2021 Greensburg apartment complex shooting, Common Pleas Judge Christopher Feliciani asked the 19-year-old how he felt.
“Blessed,” Haten-McCoy answered. “Blessed extremely.”
Haten-McCoy of Harmar received a light sentence Tuesday after pleading guilty to aggravated assault and firearm possession charges.
He was 17 when, police say, he and Anthony Shook, who was 16 at the time, confronted three people on Father’s Day at the Eastmont Estates apartment complex. Witnesses claim Haten-McCoy then shot at the trio.
The group allegedly fired back, and Shook was injured during the daytime exchange.
Haten-McCoy will serve up to two years in prison and up to one year of house arrest. He was prosecuted as an adult.
If Haten-McCoy exhibits good behavior and pursues his high school equivalency diploma or vocational degree, his house arrest sentence will be terminated after six months.
Feliciani described the sentence as motivation for good behavior. He encouraged Haten-McCoy to let him know what he is doing in several years.
“Next time I see you, it better be as a spectator in this courtroom,” the judge said.
Haten-McCoy also faced attempted homicide and conspiracy charges, but those charges were dismissed.
None of the victims attended the hearing.
Before Feliciani sentenced him, Haten-McCoy initially said he had nothing to say about his sentence. Feliciani sternly urged him to say something.
“Your life is on the line,” Feliciani said. “I’m in control of your sentence. … If you want me to consider a lighter sentence, I need to hear from you.”
Haten-McCoy then told the judge he has learned from his mistakes. He also said he didn’t pull the trigger during the incident.
“I’m not a bad kid,” he said. “I was with the wrong people.”
Shook will be prosecuted as a juvenile for his alleged role in the incident.
