Gang member sentenced in murder case
By: Melissa Randall
mrandall@abc6.com
Just over a year after the tragic murder of providence teen George Holland, Leah Seton describes the loss at the sentencing of one of the men involved in her nephew’s death.
“Although George was not my biological child, in every sense of the word son, he was mine,” she said in court.
Holland, a Central High football player, was shot and killed at his girlfriend’s Colfax Street home. Police say he was not the intended target.
“He truly is a victim in every sense of the word. He was doing nothing wrong that night,” said Daniel Carr Guglielmo, Assistant Attorney General.
On Wednesday Robert Winston was sentenced to 26 years behind bars for his role in the shooting death. The 18–year–old member of the SMG gang addressed Holland’s family.
“From the bottom of my heart I want to say I am very, very sorry. I never saw this coming. I couldn’t have talked them out of it no matter how hard I tried,” he said.
‘Them’ being his fellow gang members. In exchange for his testimony against the group Winston pleaded guilty to lesser charges of assault and conspiracy for providing the gun.
“It wasn’t worth it. Now they’re torn from their family just like George is torn away from us except we have to go visit him in a cemetery. Their family can go visit them at the prison,” said Candace Smith, Holland’s cousin, who condones the gang lifestyle.
Holland’s family says they are holding on tight to his memory.
“We miss his smile. He had an infectious smile that would light up a room when ever you walked in it,” said Seton, who was also Holland’s legal guardian.
Two more men are set to learn their fate Thursday. Another two gang members will also be sentenced for their roles in the murder next week.
(C) WLNE–TV 2015
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