45 years in prison for man who killed his friend because of catalytic converter

ST. LOUIS – A man convicted of killing his friend during an argument in 2022 was sentenced to 45 years in prison.

A judge sentenced 22-year-old Cleveland V. Washington Jr. to more than four decades in prison. He was convicted of killing his friend in June. The debate over catalytic converters.

In June, a jury found Washington guilty of second-degree murder and armed criminal action in the shooting death of 23-year-old Deionta McCurry. The shooting occurred on the evening of August 21, 2022, in the 3600 block of Montana Avenue. South St. Louis’ Dutchtown neighborhood.

Prosecutors say the attack occurred during an argument over the best way to sell stolen catalytic converters when Washington pulled out a gun and shot McCurry. At trial, Washington said he killed McCurry in self-defense when he tried to rob McCurry.

The jury recommended a 30-year sentence for second-degree murder and 15 years for gun crimes; The sentences were given consecutively and the judge accepted it. On Friday, Washington indicated it intends to appeal the decision.

Washington still has a case pending after prosecutors said he was among a group of incarcerated people. The 73-year-old city prison guard was sentenced to death in August 2023 in St. Taken hostage at the St. Louis City Justice Center.