Deandre Baskerville had trouble reading the statement he had prepared before his sentencing Tuesday for the stabbing murder of Terrance Rogers Sr. outside Chapel Hill Mall last summer.
Baskerville, who faced a courtroom packed with his and Rogers’ family and friends, paused frequently, wiping away tears and covering his face with his hands. He apologized to everyone, though he alluded to his self-defense claim.
“If I had not reacted, we all would be here, just in different rows,” said Baskerville, who was dressed in an orange jail jumpsuit.
Following a weeklong trial, a Summit County Common Pleas Court jury found Baskerville not guilty Feb. 5 of aggravated murder but guilty of two counts of murder and one count each of felonious assault and carrying a concealed weapon.
Judge Mary Margaret Rowlands sentenced Baskerville to the mandatory 15 years to life in prison. He will be eligible for parole after 15 years. If he is released, he will remain on parole for the rest of his life. Baskerville plans to appeal.
Baskerville, 29, stabbed Rogers, 35, on Aug. 19 outside the mall after the two argued about Rogers owing Baskerville money for drugs. Baskerville claimed during his trial that he assaulted Rogers because he thought Rogers was about to stab or shoot him. Prosecutors argued Baskerville could have walked away and that the stabbing wasn’t necessary.
Family members of both Baskerville and Rogers, who grew up together, sat through the trial together and remain cordial. Baskerville’s father hugged Rogers’ mother after the jury’s verdict was read.
Before the sentencing Tuesday, Myron Austin Sr., Rogers’ uncle, spoke, looking directly at Baskerville. He said Baskerville can’t imagine the pain he caused to both families. He said Rogers’ fiancee didn’t get a Valentine’s present from him over the weekend and Baskerville’s children won’t be able to get advice from their father over the years.
Despite this, Austin said his family’s relationship with Baskerville’s family “will never change.”
“If there was any other way this could have been resolved, it should have been,” he said. “Now, unfortunately, you have to pay with years of your life.”
Tonia Austin, Rogers’ sister who wore a T-shirt with his picture, said she shared a birthday with Rogers. Now, before she celebrates her birthday, she will have to go to the cemetery to visit his grave.
“I want you to know I do forgive you,” she told Baskerville. “I don’t hate you. I hate the situation.”
Baskerville apologized to his family, Rogers’ family and those who witnessed the stabbing. He said he especially feels bad for Rogers’ son. Rogers had taken his son to the mall for new sneakers on the day of the stabbing.
“I don’t know what it’s like not to grow up without a dad,” Baskerville said, his voice catching.
Rowlands, who was clearly moved and frustrated by the case, said the trial showed the destruction of two families because of “street business.” She said anyone who stands by and accepts money and support from illegal activities is complicit.
“The pain in this room is palpable,” she said. “What happened is the cost of doing business — street business. People who deal in drugs and guns and money get up every day and risk that their lives will be taken or that they will be taking someone else’s life — and here we are.”
Rowlands said this keeps happening “over and over and over and over again.”
After the sentencing, Baskerville hugged one of his two attorneys, Larry Whitney. As Baskerville was led out of the courtroom, his grandmother yelled to him, “See you, baby!”
James Baskerville, Baskerville’s father, said he hopes his son will behave in prison, get an education and be released in 15 years.
“It’s my wish that don’t no parent have to go through this no more,” he said.
Stephanie Warsmith can be reached at 330-996-3705 or swarsmith@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow on Twitter: @swarsmithabj and on Facebook: www.facebook.com/swarsmith.