A Cleveland man accused of gunning down a 49-year-old during Juneteenth weekend on the city’s East Side has pleaded not guilty to a slate of serious charges tied to the late-night shooting. Prosecutors say 27-year-old Daishon Bryant now faces a multi-count indictment in connection with the killing of Carl Formby, who was found shot at a Sunoco gas station on East 93rd Street. Bryant remains in custody at the Cuyahoga County Jail as the case moves forward.
The charges
Court records cited by Cleveland.com show Bryant is charged in a five-count indictment: one count of aggravated murder, two counts of murder and two counts of felonious assault. Each charge carries both one-year and three-year firearm specifications, filings indicate, add-ons that can ratchet up mandatory prison time if prosecutors secure convictions.
Scene and victim
Police say officers were called to the Sunoco in the 3300 block of East 93rd Street shortly before 11:30 p.m. on June 19, where they found Formby suffering from gunshot wounds and provided first aid until EMS arrived. Investigators recovered two firearms and several shell casings at the scene, according to 19 News, and an obituary confirms Formby died on June 19. Detectives with the Cleveland Division of Police homicide unit are continuing to investigate.
Arraignment and defense
At a Thursday arraignment hearing, Bryant entered a not-guilty plea and is now represented by attorneys Alasan Huff and Kimberly Kendall Corral, according to court filings reported by Cleveland.com. The reporting also notes that the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner ruled Formby’s cause of death was gunshot wounds. Court records list Bryant’s bond at $1,000,000 as he waits for his next court dates.
Legal implications
Under Ohio law, aggravated murder can carry a potential sentence of life in prison or, in some circumstances, the death penalty, with penalties laid out in the Ohio Revised Code. Firearm specifications like the ones in Bryant’s case are handled under Ohio Revised Code section 2941.145, which sets mandatory extra prison terms when they are proven.
East Side context
The shooting adds to a run of violence reported on Cleveland’s East Side this month. A recent incident highlighted in late-night gunfire near East 93rd showed a similar scene of detectives and neighbors urging witnesses to come forward. In this case, investigators are asking anyone with information, including video from the area on June 19, to contact the Cleveland Division of Police Homicide Unit or Crime Stoppers so leads can be checked out.
