AKRON, Ohio — An Akron man has been sentenced to at least 35 years in prison for his role in the murder of a pregnant woman in April 2022.
The Summit County Prosecutor's Office announced on Wednesday that Summit County Common Pleas Court Judge Alison McCarty sentenced 22-year-old Zyeir Saunders to 35-to-40.5 years in prison in connection with the murder of 21-year-old Teyaurra Harris. Earlier this month, Saunders pled guilty to the following charges:
- Involuntary Manslaughter with a Gun Specification – a Felony of the 1st Degree
- Four Counts of Felonious Assault with Gun Specifications – Felonies of the 2nd Degree
According to the prosecutor's office, the incident occurred on April 14, 2022, when Saunders, 17-year-old Antonil Whitaker, 19-year-old Darrion Rackley and 21-year-old Jeremiah Williams parked on Rockaway Street in Akron, just up from where 19-year-old Jaunte Smith, 21-year-old Jaevaiaire Small and 18-year-old Ni’Kayla Johnson were hanging out. Harris was a passenger in a car which pulled up in between the two groups.
After the driver of the vehicle Harris was in stuck his head out the window, prosecutors say Saunders and Whitaker started shooting, with Ni’Kayla Johnson was struck twice in the leg. Small then returned fire, thinking the shots were coming from Harris' vehicle. Harris, who was six-weeks pregnant at the time of the incident, was fatally struck in the head.
In connection with the incident, Whitaker pled guilty to the following charges, with a sentencing date having yet to be scheduled:
- Involuntary Manslaughter with a Gun Specification – a Felony of the 1st Degree
- Two Counts of Felonious Assault with Gun Specifications – Felonies of the 2nd Degree
The sentencing date for Jeremiah Williams has also yet to be scheduled after he pled guilty to the following:
- Involuntary Manslaughter with a Gun Specification – a Felony of the 1st Degree
- Two Counts of Felonious Assault with Gun Specifications – Felonies of the 2nd Degree
Meanwhile, a trial for Jaunte Smith, who is charged with the following, is scheduled to begin on Aug. 14, 2023:
- Two Counts of Felonious Assault with Gun Specifications – Felonies of the 2nd Degree
- Carrying a Concealed Weapon – a Felony of the 4th Degree
- Improperly Handling Firearms in a Motor Vehicle – a Felony of the 4th Degree
A trial for Darrion Rackley is scheduled to begin on Aug. 21, 2023. He is charged with the following:
- Murder with a Gun Specification – a Special Felony
- Six Counts of Felonious Assault with Gun Specifications – Felonies of the 2nd Degree
- Discharge of a Firearm on or Near Prohibited Premises with a Gun Specification – a Felony of the 1st Degree
Last month, Jaeviaire Small was sentenced to four years in prison after pleading guilty to the following charges:
- Aggravated Assault with a Gun Specification – a Felony of the 4th Degree
- Having a Weapon Under Disability – a Felony of the 3rd Degree
- Carrying a Concealed Weapon – a Felony of the 4th Degree