AKRON, Ohio — An Akron man has received his punishment for a murder than followed a large bar fight two years ago.
Summit County Judge Christine Croce on Tuesday sentenced 42-year-old Nelson Becton to life in prison for the killing of Jaison Ragsdale, with the possibility of parole after 21 years. A jury found Becton guilty last week of murder and felonious assault (both with gun specifications), along with having a weapon under disability and tampering with evidence.
The incident occurred back in October of 2020, when a scuffle between several people broke out at the since-closed Corner Pocket Bar on Upson Street. As the fight was breaking up, Becton shot and killed the 25-year-old Ragsdale "for no apparent reason," according to prosecutors.
During the brawl, 30-year-old Chevez Lewis also punched Becton's 45-year-old cousin Anthony, who subsequently ran over someone while driving away and was subsequently shot by Lewis. Anthony Becton survived, while Lewis pleaded guilty to felonious assault and weapons charges last week, receiving a 16-to-20-year sentence.
Nelson Becton is currently serving a federal prison sentence for unrelated drug offenses. Croce ruled his Summit County sentence will be served consecutively, meaning he will serve more than three decades behind bars before he is eligible for release.
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