One of three suspects in a 2009 shooting that claimed the lifeof a local man has been sentenced to a lengthy stay in prison.

District Attorney Dee Bates said TyQwan L. Berry, 21, of 100Fred Walley Drive, was sentenced to 30 years in prison Tuesdayafter entering a guilty plea last month to charges of manslaughterand conspiracy to commit capital murder in the May 20, 2009shooting death of 21-year-old James Braswell of Heuck’sRetreat.

Berry’s sentence includes 20 years for manslaughter and 20 yearsfor conspiracy to commit capital murder, with 10 years suspendedand five years of post-release supervision. His terms will runconsecutively.

Berry is the first of the three suspects to be sentenced.

Co-defendant Latonio Terrell Hamilton, 19, of 1067 Union St.,pleaded guilty to the same charges last month, while co-defendantMarvin Lamar Truss, of 779 Saints Trail, pleaded guilty to murderand conspiracy to commit armed robbery.

Hamilton faces similar sentencing, while Truss could get life inprison. Sentencing for Hamilton and Truss is tentatively scheduledfor Jan. 19, Bates said.

Bates said Berry, Hamilton and Truss conspired to rob Braswellin what was allegedly a pre-arranged drug deal the night of May 20,2009 on Jennifer Street. When Braswell approached the trio in hiscar, Berry and Truss brandished pistols. Braswell tried to flee andboth assailants fired into the vehicle, with a .25 caliber roundfired by Truss determined to be the fatal shot.

Braswell drove on a short distance before collapsing in hisseat. A pair of female companions took over the wheel and drove himto King’s Daughters Medical Center, where he was pronounceddead.