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Three men, LaShawn Dixon, Donnell Thornton, and Jamel Weston, were sentenced to life in prison without parole for the murder of Alexis Sellin and Jamie Crawford in Syracuse. The sentencing took place on Wednesday (November 12) in an emotional Onondaga County courtroom. The crime occurred in August 2022 when the couple was shot and killed in their apartment on Burnett Avenue. Sellin's nine-year-old son, who has disabilities, was found dehydrated but alive at the scene.
During the sentencing, family members of the victims expressed their grief and anger. Michelle Henderson, Crawford's mother, described her son's death as an execution and shared the profound impact it has had on her life. "It left a big hole in my heart," she said, adding that she has struggled with the loss for years. Sellin's mother accused the defendants of lacking remorse and emphasized the devastation their actions caused.
According to CNY Central, Dixon maintained his innocence during the sentencing, claiming he did not receive a fair trial and questioning the jury's attentiveness. Despite his assertions, the judge expressed hope that the men would reflect on their actions for the rest of their lives.
The jury reached a guilty verdict after a nearly three-week trial, deliberating for just one day. Attorneys for the defendants have indicated plans to appeal the convictions. Weston was arrested shortly after the murders in September 2022, while Dixon and Thornton were apprehended in October 2022.