Half-brothers get life in prison for roles in 2013 shooting death

James Allen, 19, left, and his half-brother, Phillip Allen, Jr., 23, are led from the courtroom after sentencing.

The Blade/Andy Morrison
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Phillip Allen, Jr., 23, appears in Lucas County Common Pleas Court with his attorney Joseph Urenovitch for sentencing for his role in the shooting death of of James Safadi.

Half-brothers James and Phillip Allen, Jr., were sentenced today to life in prison for their roles in the shooting death of a Waterville Township man last year.

James Allen, 19, appears for sentencing before Lucas County Common Pleas Judge Myron Duhart.

Lucas County Common Pleas Judge Myron Duhart sentenced James Allen, 19, of 1732 E. Westland Gardens Rd. and Phillip Allen, 23, of 321 O’Connell St. to life in prison with parole eligibility after 25 years.

Both pleaded guilty late Friday to complicity to aggravated murder for the May 18, 2013, shooting death of James Safadi, 34, at his home at 8940 S. River Rd.

Their sentences were agreed-upon by prosecutors and the defense as part of a plea agreement. Additional charges of aggravated robbery, aggravated burglary, and three firearms specifications were dismissed as part of that agreement.

The two defendants admitted they broke into Mr. Safadi’s home armed with loaded handguns with the intention of robbing him of cash. During the home invasion, Mr. Safadi was shot three times.

Last month, co-defendant Adam Anderson, 20, of 2436 Fulton St., pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and aggravated burglary after admitting he was at the house with the Allens on the night in question.

A neighbor of the victim, Ronald Rooker, 33, of 8930 S. River Rd., pleaded guilty to complicity to involuntary manslaughter, complicity to aggravated robbery, and complicity to aggravated burglary. Rooker said he did not enter Mr. Safadi’s home but recruited the three young men to break in and rob him.