Dea’Shea Green told a judge that she hasn’t been herself for one year, three months and seven days — since her 18-month-old son, De’Avry Thomas, was killed in a drive-by shooting Downtown.
Green said she struggles to sleep because every time she closes her eyes, the events of May 29, 2022, play over and over.
“It hurts me even more to know, when I found my baby, there was nothing I can do but hold him and wait for help,” she said.
Dea’Shea Green talks about her feelings following the sentencing Wednesday for the two men who killed her 18-month-old son, De’Avry, in a drive by shooting May 29, 2022, Downtown. Both defendants were ordered to serve life in prison with no chance for parole. pic.twitter.com/R37MEGRJuU
— Paula Reed Ward (@PaulaReedWard) September 13, 2023
On Wednesday, the two men convicted of killing De’Avry, Markez Anger and Londell Falconer, were sentenced for first-degree murder, attempted homicide, conspiracy and related counts.
Anger, 25, of Wilkinsburg, was ordered to serve life in prison without the possibility of parole, plus 22½ to 45 years.
Falconer, 27, of Wilmerding, was ordered to serve life without parole, plus 15 to 30 years.
Both men proclaimed their innocence at sentencing and asked to have new lawyers appointed for them to file an appeal.
Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge Bruce Beemer said he would assign them new counsel.
“The tragedy of this entire event is really beyond words,” Beemer said.
On Sunday afternoon of Memorial Day weekend in 2022, Green had driven Downtown with De’Avry strapped in his car seat in the back.
While stopped near PPG Place at Fourth Avenue and Stanwix Street, men in a SUV driving by opened fire.
De’Avry was struck multiple times in the face and head.
Police were able to trace the SUV and found it a couple of hours later in Troy Hill.
Video and fingerprint evidence linked Anger and Falconer to the crime.
They were found guilty following a nonjury trial in June.
Related
• 2 men convicted in Downtown Pittsburgh killing of 18-month-old
• Editorial: De’Avry Thomas won’t be the last victim
• Recent Penn Hills grad to combat gun violence by opening community center
During Wednesday’s hearing, both Anger and Falconer said they were not guilty.
“I never had a gun. I never shot anyone. I never agreed to kill anyone,” Falconer said. “I won’t stop fighting until my innocence is proven.”
Falconer, who knew Green well, gave his condolences to De’Avry’s family.
“You were a wonderful mother,” he said. “You were and still are the best mother.”
He told her that what she heard in the courtroom during trial was not true.
“You think I’m a monster,” Falconer said. “I’m not.”
Anger also expressed remorse to the family and said he prays that everyone involved will heal.
“Being a father makes it hard for me because now I’m going to be away,” he said. “How do you raise a kid in prison?”
Anger said his attorney, Randall McKinney, did not represent him adequately, failed to file any pretrial motions and had no defense for trial.
Anger said he didn’t even know there was video evidence against him.
Deputy District Attorney Stephie Ramaley told the court that the shooting, which occurred Downtown in the afternoon, was a public safety nightmare.
Beemer agreed, calling it brazen, reckless and intentional.
“De’Avry should still be here, and the fact he won’t get to go to his first day of school, won’t get to grow up, never should have happened,” he said.
De’Avry’s godfather, Kahlil Darden, told the court how affectionate the boy was.
If he had known he wouldn’t see De’Avry again, Darden said, he would have spent so much more time with him.
“I would have told him I love him so many more times,” Darden said.
Darden said De’Avry’s legacy will live on through his nonprofit, Young Black Motivated Kings and Queens, through the naming of the De’Avry A. Thomas Community Center, which will provide young people with resources and a place to go.
