An Eastern Washington man convicted in an Island Crossing shooting death was sentenced to 25 years in prison Tuesday, although his lawyer said he’s not likely to live that long.
A Snohomish County Superior Court jury Friday convicted Daniel Lawrence Young, 47, of Newport of first-degree murder in the death of Shawn Tuohy, 23, of Darrington.
The law sets the minimum term, and he’ll get no time off for good behavior, defense lawyer Steve Garvey said.
Deputy prosecutor Helene Blume told sentencing Judge Thomas Wynne she recommended 25 years, the low end of the sentencing range, because the defendant was the only one of three people involved in the shooting who wasn’t armed with a deadly weapon.
Garvey emphasized that Young has no previous felony criminal history, and a longer prison term would not serve a purpose.
Young went to trial instead of taking a plea agreement for a shorter term because he doesn’t expect to live much longer because of heart and other health problems.
“He had no reason not to go to trial in this case,” Garvey said.
Young declined to address the court on Garvey’s advice. Garvey said Young will appeal the conviction.
He’s one of three people accused of murder in the July 21 shooting in a restaurant parking lot at Island Crossing near Arlington.
Blume accused the three of concocting a “stupid scheme” to rob Tuohy during what was supposed to have been a drug deal.
Young and his son, Matthew Young, knew Tuohy, but the victim didn’t know their companion, Bryce William Howe, 21. All three live in Newport, northeast of Spokane.Howe pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of second-degree murder and agreed to testify against the other two.
A jury believed his story in the case of Daniel Young. Another jury in April apparently had its doubts when Matthew Young was tried in the same slaying.
Matthew Young was acquitted. He argued that he was defending his friend, Howe, when he shot Tuohy in the head.
Blume said the plan was for Howe to rush out of some bushes and attack Tuohy with a heavy wrench, disabling him. Then the three were going to steal his money.
Howe failed to injure the victim and ran off. Tuohy went to his car and started shooting at Howe when Matthew Young shot him.
Reporter Jim Haley: 425-339-3447 or haley@heraldnet.com.
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