YOUNGSTOWN — Julius E. Kimbrough, 44, was sentenced Thursday to 18 years to life in prison for the July 1, 2020, shooting death of Raylin L. Blunt.

Kimbrough pleaded guilty Monday before Judge Anthony Donofrio of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court to murder with a gun specification, being a felon in possession of a gun, tampering with evidence and arson.

Blunt’s body was in a 2004 Dodge Durango police found burning in the 3300 block of McGuffey Road on the East Side. Police were called there for a brush fire, but found the Durango in the woods in flames.

Kimbrough’s co-defendant Dawond T. Roddy, 35, pleaded guilty Monday to tampering with evidence and arson after being indicted on aggravated murder, murder, tampering with evidence and arson. Prosecutors are recommending that Roddy get 4 1/2 years in prison. His sentencing is 11 a.m. July 29.

Before sentencing, Mark Lavelle, Kimbrough’s attorney, told judge Donofrio that Kimbrough is “not a monster. He is not a killer. He is not a thug.”

Lavelle said Blunt was Kimbrough’s friend and Kimbrough “did not go to that house with the intention that this was going to go bad.”

Lavelle described Kimbrough as “a standup guy that you would like to know.”

Lavelle said Blunt had a weapon that Kimbrough had sold him, and Kimbrough went to a home to collect the money for it. Blunt had the weapon at the time.

“Now you’ve got two guys pointing guns at each other for no reason whatsoever, for $50,” Lavelle said. “We have two guys pointing guns at each other and Julius pulls the trigger.”

Lavelle said, “That’s the kind of nonsense that goes on in our society because everybody carries a gun.” Lavelle said Kimbrough panicked afterwards and disposed of the body.

When Kimbrough spoke, he apologized to Blunt’s family and said Blunt “was my friend,” the situation “got out of control, and I’d like to say I’m sorry.”

After the hearing, prosecutors said the killing took place at Blunt’s home on Oak Street. They also said Lavelle’s version of how the shooting occurred does not match what witnesses said happened.

Furthermore, Kimbrough shot Blunt 10 times, once in the neck and nine times in the groin area.

Mike Yacovone, assistant county prosecutor, said that hardly sounds like the actions of a person who was simply defending himself.

erunyan@vindy.com