LIMA, OH (WLIO) – A Lima teenager has been sentenced to 21 years to life in prison for the 2023 murder of Steve Smith.
Donya Perkins was found guilty of murder, tampering with evidence, and multiple weapons charges related to the fatal shooting. Smith had been in a relationship with Perkins’ mother, Latoya McClellan.
Following a disagreement on the night of July 15 at McClellan’s home, Perkins came outside and fired a shot in Smith’s direction, striking him. Smith’s body was discovered the next morning, having laid in the yard overnight.
Perkins was 17 years old at the time of the shooting. During sentencing, Allen County Common Pleas Court Judge Jeffrey Reed addressed the broader issue of youth gun violence.
“And children should not have guns. And parents who know their children have guns should not let their children have guns. Children are going to learn from their parents. Problems can have never been solved with guns,” said Judge Reed.
In addition to the prison sentence, Perkins was ordered to pay $7,000 to cover Smith’s funeral expenses.
