UTICA – A Utica man has been sentenced to prison time in connection to the 2013 shooting death of Odum Shealey Jr.
Harold Lanaux accepted a plea deal last month for a charge of criminal possession of a weapon. In Utica City Court on Thursday, Lanaux was sentenced to eight years in state prison.
Lanaux’s murder charges were dropped when the prosecution determined he may have acted in self-defense, and that he and Shealey had prior feuds. The prosecution made it clear that although Lanaux is not considered legally responsible for Shealey’s death, his actions played a hand in breaking apart a family.
His sentencing on Thursday morning was not without outbursts in the court.
"My actions, I understand that I have to take responsibility for them, I'm sorry to the family,” Lanaux said, while a family member responded, “No you're not, say sorry and bring him back.”
Lanaux addressed the judge, saying he was sorry for possessing and using a weapon, but he acknowledged that he felt threatened by Shealey.
"Due to the circumstances I had I really felt like I had no choice,” Lanaux said. “So, with that being said, basically I wanted to say sorry.”
Shealey’s father, who did not want to go on camera, says he wishes he saw Lanaux get more time in prison and that he feels justice has only partially been served.
