Springfield man gets max prison sentence in choking death

A Springfield man convicted of choking another man to death over $70 and drugs was sentenced Wednesday to 26 years to life in prison.

Prentiss Hare, 35, received the maximum sentence from Clark County Common Pleas Judge Richard O’Neill. Hare was convicted last month of murder and aggravated robbery in the death of 35-year-old Deshun Lumford.

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Clark County prosecutors said Hare killed Lumford inside a home on South Light Street on Dec. 4, 2015, after the two men had an argument over drugs.

Hare’s attorney, Anthony Vannoy, said the defense plans to appeal the ruling. Vannoy argued during the trial that Lumford died of a heroin overdose.

“He maintains his innocence and he expects to file a notice of appeal,” Vannoy said.

Clark County Assistant Prosecutor Andrew Picek told the court Hare had shown no remorse for the killing and he’s a danger to the community. Picek said Hare sent a text message after the murder making light of the slaying.

“He sent that text message saying ‘LOL, oops I did it again,’” Picek said. “I believe if he is released from prison, he will in fact do this again and so I ask this court to impose a maximum, consecutive sentence.”

Lumford’s sister, Chontay Lumford, said she will always miss her brother. She said the two grew up poor and at times had to sleep outside due to being homeless. She valued her brother’s company and said at times he was the only thing that got her through rough periods in her life.

“I ask your honor to give Prentiss Hare the highest sentence that you can give, that you think he deserves, for killing my brother,” Chontay Lumford said.

O’Neill ordered Hare to serve 15 years to life for the murder conviction and then serve 11 years after for the aggravated robbery charge. He will be eligible for parole after 26 years.

The trial was contentions as prosecutors accused Hare of killing Deshun Lumford without reason.

“Over $70, over some drugs, for no real reason at all,” Picek told jurors during his opening arguments a month ago.

The case appeared to be a drug overdose, Picek said, until a few days later when witnesses came forward in the case and told investigators they saw Hare strangle the man.

Hare’s lawyer, Johnna Shia, argued to jurors that Deshun Lumford died of an overdoes after being choked by Hare.

“The toxicology report indicated a fatal amount of heroin and fentanyl in Lumford’s system,” Shia said.

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