AKRON, Ohio — Eugene Wells, 27, of Akron was sentenced to life in prison Tuesday afternoon for the murder of Walter Matthews III in 2019.
Summit County Common Pleas Court Judge Tammy O’Brien announced the sentence in an Akron courtroom. Wells will spend, at least, the next 18 years behind bars before he would become eligible for parole.
On November 12, 2022, a Summit County jury found Eugene Wells guilty of the following charges:
- Two Counts of Murder with Gun Specifications – Special Felonies
- Felonious Assault with a Gun Specification – a Felony of the 2nd Degree
- Having Weapons Under Disability – a Felony of the 3rd Degree
These charges stem from the incident that took place on June 3, 2019.
23-year-old Walter Matthews III was with his girlfriend at an Akron store on West South Street and Princeton Avenue. As Matthews left the store, he was approached by Eugene Wells. Wells confronted Matthews and started an altercation.
During the altercation, Wells pulled out a gun and shot Matthews several times. Matthews died a short time later.
According to authorities, Wells escaped to West Virginia where U.S. Marshal’s Service agents arrested him approximately a month later.
Previous reporting on this crime can be found here: Akron man found guilty of 2019 murder, faces up to life in prison