Akron woman sentenced to at least 16 years in prison for 2023 murder of Brandon Colter
An Akron woman who shot and killed 27-year-old Brandon Colter nearly a year ago was sentenced to prison Friday, Summit County Prosecutor Elliot Kolkovich announced in a press release.
Summit County Common Pleas Court Judge Kelly McLaughlin sentenced Kaelyn Smith, 27, to life in prison for the murder of Colter in May of 2023. Smith will be eligible for parole after serving 16 years of her sentence.
More: Kaelyn Smith charged in Kenmore shooting death of Brandon Colter, Akron police report
Prior to sentencing, Smith pled guilty to murder with a gun specification.
“It has been nearly a year since the tragic murder of Brandon Colter. I’m pleased to know Kaelyn Smith is being held accountable for what she did,” Kolkovich said in the news release.
On May 24, 2023, Jon Tae Nelson and Colter went to Smith’s Akron house to get a barbecue grill. Nelson and Smith, who used to live together, got into an argument, and Smith threw charcoal at Nelson and Colter, the press release said.
Smith then chased Nelson and Colter after they drove away. When Nelson and Colter stopped at the intersection of 27th Street and Carey Avenue to clean up some of the charcoal, Smith shot at their vehicle, hitting Colter, the release said.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Kaelyn Smith sentenced to life in prison for 2023 Kenmore murder
