The man convicted of killing a 3-year-old boy during a drive-by shooting in 2015 was sentenced Wednesday to 37 years to life in prison.
Donnell Lindsey was previously found guilty on charges of murder, attempted murder, felonious assault, arson, tampering with evidence, discharge of a firearm, improperly handling firearms in a motor vehicle and having weapons under disability.
Lindsey was smiling for much of his court appearance on Wednesday. When given the opportunity to speak, he said he was innocent.
"Everybody outside looking in on my case," he said. "For one, the kid died that’s messed up. I feel bad about the situation but I wasn’t the person that did it. When I smile, it’s because I am not about to let nothing get to me that I didn’t do or wasn’t in the court. I’m not about to doubt myself about nothing I didn’t do. My whole case was hearsay. You heard from eight different people names who were so-called involved in my case. You heard I was innocent. You heard this was supposed to happen and this was supposed to happen. I can’t stop nobody from believing what they want to believe. You just got to know one thing. Everything you hear, see and what somebody tells you don’t always be true. Don’t nobody take that into consideration. I guess I made it bad for myself for going on the run. But jail is the last place I want to come to. This isn’t a place that I’m about to just walk into. I had a son on the way myself."
Major Howard's mother Brittney Anderson told Lindsey that the loss of her son ruined her life.
"I just want to let you know how much this loss ruined my life and Major’s family life and both of our family. Now that I had the chance, there isn’t much I want to say. There are things that I’d rather do but unlike you, I don’t get to choose who lives and who doesn’t. My son didn’t have a choice. You chose for him. Major didn’t get a chance to start kindergarten, see his 4th birthday or meet his new baby sister from his dad. There are moments in every child’s life that every parent looks forward to and you robbed us from all memories. Even though you were found guilty, you will never truly be sorry. I can never hold my baby again or watch him dance and play outside with other kids. Your family has the pleasure of visiting you whenever and it’s not fair."
RELATED: Donnell Lindsey, man wanted in death of 3-year-old Major Howard, captured
In September 2015, the 3-year-old was shot in the chest while sitting on a woman's lap inside a car on East 113th Street.
He was taken to the hospital where he later died from his injuries.
Lindsey was captured in May 2016 by U.S. Marshals in Georgia after months on the run.
MORE:
Mother of 3-year-old Major Howard killed in drive-by shooting shares details of incident
Family mourns, calls for justice after 3-year-old boy shot and killed in Cleveland drive-by
