ST. LOUIS — A 40-year-old man was sentenced after taking a plea deal in a north St. Louis deadly double shooting in 2020.
Demariol Byrd, 40, pled guilty to reduced counts of voluntary manslaughter, armed criminal action, and unlawful gun possession. First-degree murder charges were initially charged against the 40-year-old but prosecutors amended them down in exchange for his pleas.
In May 2020, police found 43-year-old Clarence White and 39-year-old Kelly Maddock shot and killed inside a home in the 4400 block of Maffitt Ave in the Ville neighborhood.
Inside the St. Louis Circuit Court Tuesday, Byrd admitted to killing White and Maddock. Circuit Judge Timothy Boyer accept the plea agreement and sentenced Byrd to 15 years in prison.
He is currently serving a 61-month federal prison sentence for drug and gun convictions, officials said.
Resources for crime victims:
If you have been a victim of a crime or know someone who has been, 5 On Your Side has compiled a list of resources.
The Crime Victim Center of St. Louis has multiple programs to support victims of crime. Crime Victim Center’s programs range from direct services to crime victims as well as “creating awareness and change within the systems they encounter.”
Life Outside of Violence "helps those harmed by stabbing, gunshot or assault receive the treatment, support and resources they need to find alternatives to end the cycle of violence."
The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis has the Neighborhood Healing Network, which serves people who have experienced crime, violence or been the victim of an incident that caused trauma.
Cure Violence is an international organization that is present in a handful of St. Louis neighborhoods. Violence interrupters are trained to deescalate violent situations within their own communities.