Teen sentenced to at least 50 years in fatal shooting

A 19-YEAR-OLD MAN who was a juvenile when he fatally shot another teen at a crowded North Philly playground was sentenced yesterday to 50 years to life in prison.

Matthew Baldwin was 17 on Sept. 10, 2012, when he killed Kharee Tillmon, 18, at the Cecil B. Moore Recreation Center playground, on 22nd Street near Huntingdon. Evidence at the November trial showed that Baldwin shot Tillmon because he allegedly owed Baldwin $10.

Common Pleas Judge Glenn Bronson, after hearing heartfelt comments from family members, said that although his sentence was not life in prison, it is substantial, and by the time Baldwin would be eligible for parole, he will no longer be a young man.

The victim's mother, Joshawn Gardner, told the judge "this is a tragedy for both families - over $10 . . . senseless."

Speaking to Baldwin, she said: "I'm trying to forgive you because you made a mistake that day. But your mistake caused so much pain on my side and yours."

Anishia McDuffie, the defendant's mother, expressed her condolences to Tillmon's family. She said her son lost his father, who was shot and killed, in 2004. "He doesn't know how to deal with anger well," she said of her son.

When it was his turn to speak, Baldwin expressed sympathy to the Tillmon family, apologized to his family and asked for leniency.

Assistant District Attorney Erin Boyle, who asked the judge to sentence Baldwin to life in prison, noted how "awful, ridiculous and senseless" the murder was, and how "scary" it was, considering Baldwin brought a gun to the playground at about 5:30 p.m. on a weekday, when there were kids, families, older folks, and people playing pickup basketball games.

The jury convicted Baldwin of first-degree murder and weapons offenses.

In Pennsylvania, a first-degree murder conviction used to carry a mandatory sentence of life in prison for all defendants, including minors. But in June 2012, the U.S. Supreme Court declared unconstitutional a mandatory life sentence for those who were under 18 at the time of their crimes, finding it violated the Eighth Amendment's ban on cruel and unusual punishment.

Under state law, based on his age, Baldwin faced a mandatory sentence of at least 35 years in prison, and a maximum life sentence.