CLEVELAND — The man guilty of murdering Cleveland Police Detective James Skernivitz and a 50-year-old man learned his sentence on Thursday afternoon.
David McDaniel pleaded guilty to two counts of aggravated murder and two counts of aggravated robbery last month on March 16. Judge Michael Shaughnessy sentenced McDaniel to life in prison with first eligibility for parole after serving 50 years.
The full sentencing can be watched below:
During the sentencing, Skernivitz's daughter gave an impact statement:
"We are here to finally get the justice and closure we deserve, if closure is what you want to call this," Bailey Skernivitz said. "This court hearing will not change the fact that my father is dead, my mom’s husband is dead, my grandma’s son is dead, and the friend of many of the people standing in this room is dead. That is why I don’t want to use the word closure, because that will never end for me and my family, or the people who called my dad a friend."
On Sept. 3, 2020, McDaniel, Kevin Robinson and a 15-year-old boy approached Skernivitz and informant Scott Dingess as the pair sat in the detective's unmarked police car preparing for an undercover drug operation. In an attempt to rob the victims, the trio of suspects fired multiple gunshots. Both Skernivitz and Dingess died from their injuries at MetroHealth Medical Center.
Within a week of the incident, all three suspects were arrested. The then 18-year-old McDaniel was charged as an adult, while the other two suspects were charged as juveniles.
"I wish I could change it, but I can't," McDaniel said. "I sincerely apologize. I was a kid. Yes, I was 18, but I was a kid.
"Nobody deserves to die, but I want everyone to know that I sincerely apologize. Every night, I go to sleep in jail thinking about the families that I ruined that night."
If McDaniel is released from prison, he will have to enroll as a violent offender as well.
"It is an absolute tragedy that should've been prevented and could've been, over a couple of dollars," said Shaughnessy.
Robinson was eventually re-charged as an adult and pleaded guilty to aggravated murder and robbery in July 2022. He received a sentence of life in prison with the possibility of parole after 18 years. The 15-year-old's case remained in juvenile court, where he also pleaded guilty and could potentially be released when he turns 21.
3News' Tyler Carey contributed to this report.
EDITOR'S NOTE: The video at the top of the story previously aired on 3News on March 16, 2023.
EDITOR'S NOTE: The video above previously aired on 3News on June 3, 2021.
Want to be among the first to know the most important local and national news? You can download the free WKYC app and get the latest updates right on your phone: Android, Apple.