A man who pleaded guilty to a 2021 murder, gets 19 years to life in prison for the crime.  In February, 33-year-old Paul Curtis jr. took a deal where he pleaded guilty to murder of Sam McLaurin and for two assault charges for incidents in the Allen County jail.  

According to the police, McLaurin's body was found in the driveway of his home, detectives state that he had eighteen gunshot wounds on his body. A witness says Curtis and McLaurin were having an argument, and moments later they heard gunshots.  A third case against Curtis was dropped as part of the plea deal. 

Lawyers for 32-year-old Paul Curtis Jr. say that he was too intoxicated to understand his rights before Lima Police Detectives interviewed him for the shooting death of Sam McLaurin in November of last year. They are asking that the interview be suppressed for Curtis's future trial. McLaurin's body was found in the driveway at a home in the 400 block of S. Baxter St. with multiple gunshot wounds. When officers went to arrest Curtis, they say that he was under the influence.

A Lima man has been charged with murder for the shooting death of 53-year-old Sam McLaurin on Tuesday. 32-year-old Paul Curtis Jr., made his initial appearance in Lima Municipal Court Friday afternoon. The judge set bond at $750,000, because of his extensive criminal record.