LACKAWANNA COUNTY, Pa. — A judge sentenced Taaj Blan of Moosic to 18 to 40 years behind bars for shooting and killing Pernell Simmons.
This was the scene on August 8th of last year at the Fallbrook Apartment Complex in Carbondale.
Pernell Simmons was killed in the shooting, he was shot seven times.
Police arrested and charged a then 21-year-old Blan with the murder. They also charged his mother, Margaret Del Castillo, with tampering and hindering the investigation.
During a trial in August. Del Castillo was found not guilty, but the jury convicted Blan of third-degree murder.
During sentencing, the judge heard emotional testimony from members of Simmons' family including both of his parents and his widow. All of them say his death has left a huge hole in their family.
Simmons' mother Melody said "This is the worst kind of pain I've ever experienced in my whole life. My heart is broken beyond repair and there is nothing that can heal it".
Simmons' widow Jenni spoke specifically about that night, finding her husband shot outside their home saying, quote:
"I knew that my husband was going to die. I was asking him to keep breathing and don't leave us. Seconds before police got there, I heard my husband take his last breath."
Blan also made a statement in court, apologizing to the Simmons family and saying "I genuinely had a fear my life was in danger. There was no animosity towards him in my heart ever. I am truly sorry and feel terrible about my action."
The judge says she took into account the fact that Blan had no previously criminal history and he owned the gun legally when she handed down his sentence, lessening the minimum by 2 years.