SCRANTON, Pa. — Two men faced a judge in Lackawanna County on Friday to learn their sentences for the death of a 17-year-old boy.
Evan Wasko, 20, was sentenced to 20 to 40 years in prison.
Liam O'Malley, 19, was sentenced to three to seven years in prison.
Joseph Roberson, 17, was shot outside of a home in Spring Brook Township on June 18, 2022.
Investigators say Wasko and O'Malley went to a party happening at that house to confront someone else. When Wasko and O'Malley got to the party on Bowens Road, court papers show that Roberson went up to their car and started talking to O'Malley. Another person in the car told troopers that he heard a bang and then heard Evan Wasko yell, "I just shot him, and he dropped."
The car sped off. Roberson was found lying on the ground with a gunshot wound to the head. He later died at a hospital.
Last year, Wasko took a plea deal for third-degree murder while O'Malley pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm and terroristic threats.
Eryk Pasko, another man involved in this case, will also spend nine to 18 months behind bars for furnishing alcohol to minors.
Many of Roberson's family and friends were in court for the sentencing.
Lackawanna County District Attorney Mark Powell says he is pleased with the judge's decision.
"It was a very firm, strong sentence, but one that was justified given the facts. This was a senseless murder, and I believe all three defendants were sentenced appropriately."
Many of Roberson's family and friends were in court for the sentencing wearing shirts with his picture on them. They believe justice was served, but it doesn't bring their friend Joey back.
"Relieved, a lot of relief. Some nights are sleepless. It's hard thinking about it because everyone thinks about the what-ifs and what could have happened if something else went different, and it's definitely different," Abby Redmond said.
Jason Tavella attended North Pocono High School with Roberson and says life hasn't been the same since.
"It's been a rough time losing a best friend. We knew each other for ten years and grew up together. Just having someone in your life like that vanish is so hard, "Jason Tavella said. "It's just closure. That's all it comes down to. We lost someone who was so close to us, and when you go through that, you need to find somewhere to close it down almost and help yourself grieve."
Roberson was about to begin his senior year when he was murdered, and his friends say it was hard to enjoy the last year of school without him.
"On graduation day, when I had to sit next to an empty chair and turn his tassel and seeing Joey's dad get the diploma for him was really tough because he wasn't able to get it for himself because of this," Redmond said.
Wasko has been in the Lackawanna County prison since his arrest. O'Malley and Pasko were both taken into custody and transported to the prison following sentencing.