A sentencing hearing in Cincinnati on Tuesday, Feb. 25 turned into chaos when a dispute between family members turned into a fight inside the courtroom and spilled into the hallway. The hearing was addressing the case of a young man convicted in connection with a fatal shooting that occurred on New Year’s Day in 2024.
what happened in court
Latrell Rogers, 20, was sentenced to 12 to 17½ years in prison after pleading guilty to involuntary manslaughter in the death of 17-year-old Edwin “Myzel” Arrington. Arrington was fatally shot in Cincinnati on January 1, 2024. Rogers initially faced murder and assault charges before reaching a plea agreement with prosecutors.
Judge Robert Winkler formally announced the sentence in Hamilton County Common Pleas Court. Soon after, anger erupted among those present. According to reports, a brief conversation between Arrington’s family and members of Rogers’ family quickly turned into a fight between onlookers.
After the sentence was read, one of Arrington’s relatives leaned in to quietly say “love you.” The response of someone on the other side, recorded in the court report as “F‑‑‑ you”, created tension that led to screaming and pushing.
Results and interventions
Court officials had to intervene as the altercation continued in the corridor outside the courtroom. The disturbance was so significant that Judge Christopher McDowell later said it “disrupted the proceedings in my courtroom.” Several people were detained and cited for their roles in the disturbance, including three adults and one juvenile.
family reactions
Arrington’s mother Shamika expressed deep disappointment at the sentence in comments to local media. She described her son’s shooting as particularly brutal and said she found him hours after he was shot. She spoke emotionally about her belief that the sentence did not fully reflect the severity of her loss.
“He shot my son five times in the back when he was trying to run away from him,” he said. “Five times, my son was left for dead… until I found him.”
Shamika criticized Rogers’ conduct in court, saying that she felt the defendant was not remorseful and that guaranteeing his return to his family was painful for him.
looking ahead
This case highlights the deep emotions associated with violent crime cases – especially when they involve young victims and complex plea deals. While Rogers will remain behind bars for more than a decade, Arrington’s family continues to grapple with his loss and the fallout from his conviction.
Authorities have indicated that the court battle is still being reviewed and that those cited may face further legal consequences. For the wider community, this incident is a painful reminder of the impact violent crime has on families, friends and the justice system.