Two Canton men plead guilty in Massillon man's shooting death

Cassandra Nist, The Repository
·2 min read
Devon Meredith, of Massillon, was shot and killed June 21 in the 1400 block of Sixth Street SW in Canton.
Devon Meredith, of Massillon, was shot and killed June 21 in the 1400 block of Sixth Street SW in Canton.

CANTON – Two Canton men have been convicted for their roles in the June shooting death of a Massillon resident.

Robert L. Torrence, 29, pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of involuntary manslaughter, a first-degree felony, during a hearing Tuesday in Stark County Common Pleas Court.

More: Canton Police: Two suspects sought in Massillon man's shooting death

Torrence had been facing a murder charge following his indictment by a county grand jury.

Judge Natalie Haupt sentenced Torrence to an agreed-upon prison term of 14 to 16 1/2 years for both the involuntary manslaughter charge and an accompanying gun specification.

"The purpose of entering the plea was to secure the reduction in the charge. Robert was willing to resolve the case with the reduction to guarantee the definite sentence that was given," defense attorney Jacob Will told the Canton Repository.

Torrence shot and killed Devon Meredith, 27, on June 21 at Torrence's home in the 1400 block of Sixth Street SW. He later turned himself in to police.

"He took responsibility for his actions, and didn't want to put the family through trial," Will said.

Meredith's family was present in the courtroom for the hearing. Torrence appeared via video from the Stark County jail while in quarantine.

More: Canton Police: Two suspects sought in Massillon man's shooting death

A co-defendant, Thomas R. Humphrey, 48, of Blair Place SW, was charged with tampering with evidence, a third-degree felony, in connection with the case.

Humphrey gave Torrence the gun used in the shooting, then took it back and fled the scene, according to court records filed in the case.

Michael Puterbaugh represented Humphrey, who also pleaded guilty Tuesday and was given probation with credit for time served while awaiting trial.

"Mr. Humphrey will be under intensive supervision probation for three years with the condition that he completes treatment at Stark Regional Community Correction Center. He received jail-time credit for the almost six months he served while awaiting trial for this case," said Christian Turner of the Stark County Prosecutor's Office.

Reach Cassandra cnist@gannett.com; On Twitter@Cassienist

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Robert Torrence, of Canton, guilty of shooting death of Devon Meredith