ST. LOUIS — A 17-year-old was sentenced to 10 years in prison in a plea deal in which he admitted to being involved in the shooting death of a teenager in St. Louis in 2022.
Tramon Belford was sentenced Friday as part of a plea deal he struck with prosecutors in December in connection with the death of 14-year-old Maryon Jackson. Belford, who was originally charged with second-degree murder and armed criminal action, accepted a lesser charge of involuntary manslaughter in exchange for his guilty plea.
Charges said Belford and Jackson shot at a Ford Focus that was driving in the 3900 block of Missouri Avenue. Someone inside the car returned fire, striking both teens. Jackson died from his injuries.
Belford was 15 at the time of the shooting and was later certified to be tried as an adult. He was screened by the Division of Youth Services as part of a prison alternative prison but was denied entry.
Belford, who has been in jail for more than a year, will get credit for time served. The judge in charge of the sentencing, St. Louis Circuit Judge Michael Noble, encouraged Belford to "take advantage of various educational resources and other services available to him while in prison." Noble said it could help Belford's development and potentially reduce his time behind bars.
