The teenager who shot the wrestler of Ohio State Sammy Sasso in 2023 was sentenced to at least 10 years in prison on Thursday.
Elijah Lee, 18, pleaded guilty to criminal assaults with a three -year firearm specification at the Franklin County Pleadyers Court, Columbus, almost two years after the shocking incident that has essentially ended Sasso’s career.
The hope of struggle, from Nazareth, in Pennsylvania, was shot down during a hijacking of a car on North High Street in August 2023 before being found in an alley and taken to the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.
He was forced to undergo several surgeries, spend several days in hospital and finish months of physiotherapy before he could fight again in November 2024. However, three months later, Sasso made the decision to retire.
Lee, who was 16 at the time, was arrested three weeks after the shooting and the car. The police also arrested Casia Mayfield, 15, but the prosecutors concluded that the first was the one who supported the relaxation.
Before Thursday’s condemnation, Sasso opened the way he devoted his life to become a champion of wrestling and was ready to come back and realize this dream during his last year before the shooting.
The teenager who shot the wrestler of Ohio State Sammy Sasso (right) in 2023 was sentenced to at least 10 years in prison
Elijah Lee, 18, pleaded guilty to criminal assault with a three -year -old firearm specification
“My last chance to go and fulfill this dream since I had done it when I was a little child was taken,” he said.
Lee’s father then launched a passionate defense of his son, insisting that he is not a bad person despite the crime he committed.
“Elijah loves people,” he said. “Everyone knows Elijah and it’s not a bad person.
“I know that many parents go ahead and say this about their children. I really don’t think he should go to prison.
The judge told Lee that his crime and conviction were inevitable after his participation before in several cases of stolen vehicles.
“It was a model that was going to lead to something like that and that’s why you are before me,” said the judge.
Lee will be under post-liberation control when he gets out of prison. If violations are caused, the teenager could be sent directly.
