First of two Columbus men sentenced in July 2021 shooting death of Columbus city employee

Nathaniel Shuda, The Columbus Dispatch
·2 min read
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Tearicka Cradle, then the program director of the Restoration Academy program, speaks in 2014 during a graduation ceremony at City Hall.

The first of two Columbus men convicted in connection with the July 2021 burglary and shooting death of city employee Tearicka Cradle has been sentenced in Franklin County Common Pleas Court.

Ivan A. Netter, 25, of North Linden, was sentenced Thursday to a minimum of 25 years in prison after pleading guilty to aggravated burglary, involuntary manslaughter and felonious assault, according to court records. Judge Jeffrey Brown dismissed charges of aggravated robbery, two counts of murder, all with a firearm, and having a weapon illegally. Netter will get credit for 414 days already served.

As required by the state's controversial Reagan Tokes Act, Brown gave Netter an indefinite sentence. Netter could serve up to 5 ½ years more if the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction determines he is a continued threat to society.

More:One arrested, one at large in shooting death of city employee Tearicka Cradle

More:City of Columbus employee found by police fatally shot inside Northeast Side home

Brown also sentenced Netter to a minimum of 11 years in prison for an unrelated rape charge to which Netter previously pleaded guilty, but that sentence will be served at the same time.

Prosecutors accused Netter and a second defendant, Lonnie R. Davis, 30, of Franklinton, of trying to burglarize Cradle's home in the 2000 block of Jane Avenue on the city's Northeast Side, where she was found shot to death during the early morning hours of July 18, 2021.

Davis also pleaded guilty to aggravated robbery and involuntary manslaughter, both with a gun and as a repeat violent offender, according to court records. A sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 17.

Cradle coordinated the city's Restoration Academy, now called the Empower Development by Gaining Employment program, aimed at helping people involved in the criminal justice system reintegrate into society, find and keep jobs. At the time of her death, Cradle was working in the city's Building and Zoning department.

Following her death, city leaders praised Cradle's giving spirit and the difference she was able to make in the lives of others.

Dispatch reporters Jordan Laird, Bethany Bruner and Eric Lagatta contributed to this report.

nshuda@dispatch.com

@NathanielShuda

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: First of two defendants sentenced in death of Columbus city employee