Ex-gang member guilty in 2006 Coatesville killing
A former member of the Young Guns, a violent, drug-dealing street gang in Coatesville, was convicted Saturday of third-degree murder and conspiracy to commit aggravated assault in connection with an April 2006 slaying.
A former member of the Young Guns, a violent, drug-dealing street gang in Coatesville, was convicted Saturday of third-degree murder and conspiracy to commit aggravated assault in connection with an April 2006 slaying.
A Chester County Court jury found that Odell "Zelly" Q. Cannon, 32, of Coatesville, had played a role in the death of Brian Keith Brown, 29, also of Coatesville; however, the panel acquitted Cannon of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder.
Deputy District Attorney Ronald Yen contended that Cannon had ordered Brown shot in retaliation for the shooting that night of Cannon's older brother, Jonas L. Suber. Brown had just finished a 65- to 130-month prison term for a 2000 shooting. Defense attorney Thomas Burke agreed that revenge was the motive, but he said the score had involved the shooting that put Brown in prison, not one linked to Cannon.
Terry Jermaine "TJ" Gardner, 27, of Coatesville, identified by police as the triggerman in the Brown homicide, is awaiting trial. Cannon, who has been serving a 15-year prison term for weapons violations, will be sentenced at a later date. - Kathleen Brady Shea