5 Men Sentenced for Deadly Sweet 16 Shooting

0:00It's March 28th. This is Durham News Today, powered by AI. Five men have been sentenced to five years in prison for their part in a deadly shooting at a sweet 16-party in Dadyville, Alabama. They pleaded guilty to reckless murder charges in a deal that also includes 15 years of probation each. The group includes 22-year-old Willie Brown, 23-year-old Wilson Hill, 19-year-old Travis McCullough, 20-year-old Tyrese, McCullough, and 18-year-old Sherman Peters, meanwhile, a six-defin that received youthful offender status, keeping his records private. Family members of the victims voice strong frustration over the light sentences. They argue the punishment falls short for the lives cut short, with some calling for at least 30 years behind bars. The gunfire erupted at the birthday celebration, claiming four young lives, 18-year-old Phil Dowdell, 17-year-old Sean Kivia Smith, 19-year-old Marcia Collins, and 23-year-old Corbin Hostin.

1:01Prosecutors noted the men exchanged shots with Hostin, but couldn't prove who fired first, so related charges were dropped. District Attorney Mike Sugress described the pleas as the strongest result possible from the evidence. With these cases now resolved, Dadyville moves forward while remembering the promise lost at night.