YOUNGSTOWN - Prosecutors are asking a Mahoning County judge to vacate the withdrawal of a Youngstown murder suspect's guilty plea.

According to a document filed in Judge Anthony D'Apolito's court on Monday, March 16, the prosecution is asking Judge D'Apolito to withdraw a motion to vacate a plea agreement for 23-year-old Saun Peterson.

Peterson is charged in connection with the shooting death of 15-year-old Amya Monserrat in April of 2023.

Peterson's plea deal was originally withdrawn when he breached the terms of the deal by refusing to testify against co-defendant Danyo Sellers, which resulted in a mistrial.

Sellers, who was accused of being the triggerman in Monserrat's shooting death, was found not guilty of murder at his retrial the following week. 

As part of Peterson's plea agreement, the murder charge against him would be dismissed, but all other charges would remain, including felonious assault and involuntary manslaughter, both with firearm specifications, as well as improperly handling firearms in a motor vehicle and obstruction of justice.

This means that if Judge D'Apolito grants this motion, Peterson will not be convicted of murder.

A spokesperson for the Mahoning County Prosecutor's Office tells 21 News this decision was made after the Prosecutor's Office received feedback from jurors following Sellers' not guilty verdict.

However, the prosecution is still withdrawing its sentencing recommendation of 10 to 12-and-a-half years in prison, meaning that Peterson could still be sentenced to up to 28-and-a-half years in prison on his remaining charges.

RELATED COVERAGE: