CLEVELAND — Two men have have been sentenced after pleading guilty for their roles in intentionally setting fire to a home on Cleveland's west side in April. There were three people inside the home when the arson took place, including a 7-month-old baby.
Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court Judge Kelly Ann Gallagher sentenced 21-year-old Tyric Green to 17 to 22.5 years in prison, while 22-year-old D'Andre Morris received a prison sentence of six to nine years.
“Instead of paying rent, Tyric Green thought it would be a good idea to burn his landlord’s house down,” said Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael O’Malley in a statement. “These two individuals deserve to be locked up.”
DETAILS OF THE CASE
According to prosecutors, Green failed to make three months of rent payments on the apartment he shared with his grandmother. After the landlord notified the grandmother, Green forged a letter from PNC Bank regarding the deposit of the funds.
Authorities say Green and Morris attempted to set fire to Green's grandmother's landlord's residence, located near West 106th Street and Clifton Boulevard in the city's Edgewater neighborhood, on April 19 using a "suspected ignitable liquid" while the house was occupied. The arson attempt was unsuccessful.
Around 2 a.m. on April 21, the pair returned to the residence and set it afire before fleeing the scene.
Three people, a 29-year-old female, a 26-year-old male, and 7-month-old baby were inside the home at the time. Also present were the family's cat, Evelyn, and dog, Salami.
The three victims managed to escape by jumping out of a window on the second floor. Salami was pronounced dead at the scene, while Evelyn miraculously emerged two days later from the rubble.
Prosecutors say Green and Morris caused over $750,000 in damages, including to the surrounding residences. They each were taken into custody several days after the incident and indicted on April 29.
On Sept. 5, Morris pleaded guilty to the following charges:
- One count of Aggravated Arson
- Two counts of Attempted Aggravated Arson
- Two counts of Cruelty To Companion Animals
- One count of Possessing Criminal Tools
On Sept. 10, Green pleaded guilty to the following:
- 10 counts of Aggravated Arson
- Four counts of Attempted Aggravated Arson
- Two counts of Arson
- Two counts of Cruelty To Companion Animals
- Two counts of Forgery
- One count of Possessing Criminal Tools
“It is by the grace of God this family escaped this horrific fire,” said O’Malley after the pair pleaded guilty. “Unfortunately, their family dog Salami did not survive. This plea is the first step in holding these two idiots accountable.”
Previous Reporting:
- Cleveland arson suspects plead guilty to setting fire to west side home, killing family dog
- Cuyahoga County Prosecutor's Office: 2 indicted on charges in Cleveland arson
- 2 suspects now in custody in connection with weekend arson at Cleveland home
- 'Miracle Cat' found alive among rubble of Cleveland home destroyed by arson
