Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin announced that Russell Burrell (age 19) was sentenced today by Superior Court Justice Robert D. Krause to six life sentences plus ten years for his role in the July 30, 2012 murders of Shemeeka Barrows, Michael Martin and Damien Colon.
Burrell, who was a juvenile at the time of the murder and was waived out of Family Court to be tried as an adult, pleaded guilty in November 2013 to three counts of murder, three counts of discharging a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence and one count of conspiracy. On each of the counts of first degree murder, Burrell was sentenced to a life sentence, to run consecutive; on each of the firearms charges, Burrell was sentenced to a life sentence, all to run concurrent but commencing consecutive to the three life sentences for the murders. Additionally, Burrell was sentenced to 10 years, to run consecutive, on the count of conspiracy.
Earlier this month, Justice Krause sentenced Quandell Husband (age 18) to consecutive life sentences plus 10 years for his role in the triple homicide. Timothy DeBritto (age 28) pled guilty in March 2014 and was sentenced to 40 years to serve plus an additional 20 years suspended, non–parolable. Donovann Hall (age 20) pled guilty in February 2013 to his role and is awaiting sentencing.
On evening of July 30, 2012, Timothy DeBritto, Russell Burrell, Quandell Husband and Donovann Hall were at the apartment of Sylvia Morehead, the mother of four of Timothy DeBritto's children. There, they discussed that Michael Martin would be an easy target for a robbery, which the group referred to as a "lick." The four discussed the fact that Mr. Martin would be likely to have marijuana and money at his apartment.
At the apartment was a 9 millimeter Glock, which had a magazine that held 17 rounds and had a red laser beam sight. Individuals in the group had taken turns possessing and controlling the Glock in the past. In fact, DeBritto had used the same weapon less than two months earlier when he shot and injured a romantic rival.
At approximately 10:00 p.m. on July 30, 2012, Russell Burrell, armed with the fully loaded Glock, Quandell Husband and Donovann Hall walked to the apartment of Michael Martin.
When Mr. Martin came to the door, Burrell pointed the gun as all three rushed into the living room, barking commands to Mr. Martin and Damien Colon, who they were not expecting to be present. Mr. Martin and Mr. Colon were herded towards the kitchen in the back of the apartment where Burrell fired the 9mm repeatedly in their direction, killing them both.
As this was happening, Shemeeka Barros awoke from a nap on a couch in the living room. Upon realizing that Ms. Barrows was in the apartment, Burrell turned the gun on her, emptying the magazine clip of its bullets and killing Ms. Barrows.
"It is difficult to imagine a person barely 17 years old brutally and consciously murdering three people with no remorse, yet that is exactly what Russell Burrell did. Armed with a loaded Glock and looking for trouble, he brought unspeakable tragedy upon the families of Shemeeka Barrows, Michael Martin and Damien Colon. His actions were not of a misguided teenager who got caught up in a bad crowd. His actions were that of a cold-blooded, calculating killer, and today's sentence assures he will no longer be a menace to our community," said Attorney General Peter Kilmartin.
Assistant Attorneys General Randall White and James Baum prosecuted the case on behalf of the Office of Attorney General. The investigation was led by Providence Police Detective Rob Washburn, along with Detectives Fabio Zuena, Frank Vilella and Theodore Michaels and Captain Michael Correia.