Syracuse, NY -- If anyone knows why Anthony Sutton crossed a South Side street to murder a woman in September 2020, they’re not saying.
But Shadetta Franklin’s murder in front of a South Side liquor store led to another murder: the retaliatory shooting death of Tyree Lawson three days later and two blocks away, prosecutors have said.
Sutton was sentenced Wednesday to 18 years to life in prison after pleading guilty in Franklin’s murder. County Court Judge Matthew Doran said it’s “as senseless a murder as I’ve seen” in his 30 years as prosecutor and judge.
Prosecutor Maureen Barry said she still has no idea why Sutton targeted Franklin that day outside Hub Liquors.
But the surveillance video speaks for itself: a masked Sutton stopped Franklin as she was getting into a vehicle with her fiancé and shot her to death in the middle of the street.
The victim’s sister, Keyaisha Franklin, called Sutton’s actions “cold, callous and brazen.” But she said that Sutton’s prison sentence will mean that he will never have to be a topic of conversation again.
“Our pain makes us stronger,” she said.
For his part, Sutton turned to the family and said he was sorry.
The judge said he didn’t have words to explain what happened. He ordered Sutton to prison under the agreed upon plea of 18 years to life, meaning Sutton will get his first parole board in 18 years but could remain imprisoned for life.
Authorities have arrested another man, Mysean Griswold, for the murder three days later that is believed to have been retaliation for Franklin’s murder. Griswold’s case remains headed for trial.
Staff writer Douglass Dowty can be reached at ddowty@syracuse.com or (315) 70-6070.
Ad Choices