ST. LOUIS — A St. Louis man received a 10-year sentence for his role in a 2019 fatal shooting.
Cortez McCullough, 19, was sentenced Monday after reaching a plea agreement with prosecutors in the August 2019 killing of 22-year-old Charles Lagrone III.
He pleaded guilty to two counts of armed criminal action, stealing and involuntary manslaughter, which was reduced from second-degree murder.
He was set to go to trial next week.
According to court documents, McCullough, Teraz Bateman and Earl Payne set up a drug deal to rob two associates of Lagrone. He was killed during the failed drug deal in the 5000 block of Goodfellow Boulevard, police said.
Prosecutors said McCullough was the one who fired a rifle into the car, killing the 22-year-old.
McCullough was 14 at the time of the incident and was certified as an adult to stand trial, court documents said.
Payne, 25, was sentenced in April to 20 years. Bateman received a life term in prison in October 2022 after a him guilty of felony murder, robbery and armed criminal action, according to a press release.
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.
