LIMA — In a rare experience, Judge Jeffrey Reed got an open and candid look Thursday into the life of a man who turned to the streets at a young age, killed another man and then came clean 15 years later after his conscience had been eating at him.
David Evans told the judge he always carried a gun for protection even though it was illegal for him to do so. He was more interested in what the streets had to offer, such as $10,000 biweekly to sell drugs, than getting a job.
Fathers working hard at a job and raising their families were not the men he looked up to, he said.
In 2001, he got into an argument with Cardell Beachum over money he believed Beachum owed him and the two got in a gunfight. Evans was hit in the hand. The 69-year-old Beachum died July 2, 2001, at the scene outside his business, Sports and Sorts at 1290 St. John Ave.
Evans took off.
Police spoke with Evans about Beachum’s death shortly after it happened but Evans never came clean until last year when he walked into the Lima Police Department and confessed to a detective.
Reed asked Evans why he would go confront Beachum, who was known to always carry a gun.
“If you didn’t put yourself in those situations, you wouldn’t need a gun,” Reed said.
Reed sentenced Evans to 11 years in prison on voluntary manslaughter with a gun.
After serving time for other crimes and running up a record, Evans, who today is 36, said he saw himself with no future. He could never retire on drug money and living in the street culture was dangerous.
Reed asked Evans why young people illegally carry guns and see no opportunities.
Evans said there are few chances for a job and the drug money is too enticing. He said if there was greater employment opportunities, he believes more young men would try that road but said it doesn’t exist in Lima.
Reed thanked Evans for his maturity and for coming clean on the Beachum murder
“If you hadn’t come forward this would still probably be a cold case,” Reed said.
Evans said he struggled with this each day.
“I felt like it was a dark cloud over me for a long time. I told myself I’m not going to my grave with this,” he said. “I’m glad I did this. This is the best thing I could ever do. I’m glad it’s over with.”
The judge said he hopes more children and young adults will see this case and think about it before illegally carrying a gun and making a bad decision that will affect them and others for the rest of their lives.
“This has been wearing on you for the last 15 or 16 years. I don’t know how many people get consciences. Kids are shooting each other out there and not even thinking about it,” Reed said.
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