A convicted murderer’s sentence has been upheld by The 11th District Court of Appeals alongside a 2021 hit and run case.

Shamar Askew, 20, was charged in the February 2021 shooting death of Ruth Lewis. In September of 2022, Askew was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison after he pleaded guilty to first-degree murder, murder, discharging a firearm, and tampering with evidence. 

Askew’s appeal defense came after the trial court judge didn’t inform Askew whether they were granting or denying his “motion to suppress his statements to law enforcement.”

Additionally, 24-year-old Corey Hoffman plead guilty in a September 2021 hit and run case which left one woman injured. Hoffman and his attorney, John Juhasz, argued that the sentencing was too extreme for third and fifth degree felonies. However, the 54 month prison sentence from the lower court was also upheld by the district court.

Both cases were overseen and upheld by 11th District Judges John Eklund, Matt Lynch and Eugene Lucci.