19-year-old man indicted in Ohio slayings of pregnant woman, 3 others at Cleveland home

Published May 03, 2016

A 19-year-old man has been indicted on five counts of aggravated murder in the November shooting deaths of a pregnant woman and three others at a Cleveland residence.

James Sparks-Henderson was arrested May 6 while eating lunch at a fast-food restaurant in Cleveland. He was indicted Thursday.

Authorities say that DNA and ballistics evidence tie Sparks-Henderson to the Nov. 21 slayings and that he has confessed as part of a deal to avoid the death penalty.

Sparks-Henderson's attorney said Thursday he has continuing concerns about his client's confession.

Authorities have not released a motive for the shootings.

The victims were 41-year-old Sherita Johnson, who was 28-weeks pregnant; her unborn child; 60-year-old Lemon Bryant; 19-year-old Ja'Rio Taylor; and 17-year-old Shaylona Williams. Johnson's 9-year-old daughter received a graze wound.

URL

https://www.foxnews.com/us/19-year-old-man-indicted-in-ohio-slayings-of-pregnant-woman-3-others-at-cleveland-home