EL man sentenced to life in prison for aggravated murder

LISBON -- Tyrell Travers ended Dion McMillon's life at age 26 -- now the 26-year-old Wellsville grad gets to spend the rest of his own life in prison.

"There are consequences for your actions. You made the decision in May 2021 to end the life of someone," Columbiana County Common Pleas Court Judge Megan Bickerton said before issuing the sentence.

She described his actions as calculating, actions that warranted the sentence she issued for life in prison without the chance for parole, plus three years for using a firearm to do the deed.

A jury found him guilty last month of aggravated murder and murder, along with firearm specifications, in the May 19, 2021 shooting death of Dion McMillon.

"You made a calculated decision. You hunted him down," she said.

During the trial, video footage showed a white Kia Soul slowly entering the area on the east end of East Liverpool near First Avenue and Elmwood with the lights off, then parking, then someone getting out and later returning to the vehicle and speeding away. Evidence showed that Travers had rented a white Kia Soul. Another video from Mapletree Street showed the victim getting into his car, being alone and then flashes of light from the 13 bullets fired into his car window on the passenger side, killing him as he sat in the front seat. A recording of the victim's last phone call was also played.

Bickerton referred to that phone call when she described what she heard at trial as both horrific and disturbing, how the family of Dion McMillon had to hear him take his last breath. She also talked about how the defense tried to disparage his former girlfriend and her friend who testified because they didn't talk about what they knew right away. She told Travers they were afraid of him. She noted that just days after the murder, he had the former girlfriend buy him another gun.

"To add insult to injury, you mocked the victim," Bickerton said, referring to memes found on his phone after the murder.

She cited all this information to support the seriousness and recidivism factors for the sentence recommended by county Assistant Prosecutor Tammie Riley Jones for life without parole.

That sentence was also requested by Shamone Rutherford, who had a child with Dion McMillon. No matter what sentence Travers received, she said her son will never get his father back.

Rutherford addressed the court during the sentencing and said her son was supposed to be with his father the day he was killed. She said she still lived in fear every day and was afraid to let her son go anywhere, knowing their pictures were on the defendant's phone. She said the defendant had shown no remorse and remarked how his family was there every day supporting him.

"I feel for them. It is not their fault," she said.

She asked for nothing less than life in prison. Travers had taken a life.

While speaking on behalf of his client, defense attorney Walter Madison expressed again his condolences to the family of Dion McMillon, saying "they have a right to grieve and feel the way they do."

Madison talked about the four choices for sentencing before the court which included life without the possibility of parole or 20 years to life, or 25 years to life or 30 years to life, which would include a chance to get out. He noted that his client rejected an offer for 18 years to life and that life without parole would be a great disparity.

According to Madison, life without parole is usually reserved for defendants with a record of violence who have been in the system before. He said that's not his client.

He doesn't have a record and said "he is a young man and (has) quite a lot of redemptive qualities about him."

Madison asked the judge to consider a sentence of 20 years to life, saying it's appropriate in this case. He referred to a study about recidivism that showed three overriding factors for those who didn't repeat their offenses: education, employment and family support. He said Travers had all three. He graduated from Wellsville High School and attended Kent State University, he said he's trainable and has the ability to do better. He had family support from his mother, grandmother and aunt who attended the trial every day and were present for the sentencing. He also said Travers ran his own limited edition sneaker business.

Madison said prison will be a huge adjustment and he'll be isolated away from his family. Travers didn't speak, but Madison said that's for legal reasons, "it's not because he's without remorse."

Jones said he showed no signs of remorse whatsoever. He snuck up and waited for half an hour until the victim was alone and then opened fire 13 times. He chose the spot and took matters into his own hands.

"This was simply a cold, calculated, premeditated ambush. This defendant had one single purpose, to end the life of Dion McMillon," she said.

Jones talked about the fact that the decision made by Travers didn't just impact the victim, but also his family and his then 2-year-old son who will be growing up without his father. He said Travers was fueled by hate and he mocked the death of his victim and one witness said he seemed pleased.

The prosecution was represented by Jones, county Assistant Prosecutor Steve Yacovone and county Chief Assistant Prosecutor Ryan Weikart.

"We're satisfied," Yacovone said after Travers was taken away.

He credited the excellent work of the East Liverpool Police investigators, the prosecutor's office investigators and the Bureau of Criminal Investigation. He talked about the the fact that this was not a self-defense case.

"It was a calculated, cold blooded killing," he said.

After the sentencing was over, Rutherford said she was relieved. She also said the fear was lifting.

I'm happy that I have answers now," she said.

Her son is 4 years old now and is already asking questions. When he's older, he'll learn more about what happened, but right now they're just enjoying recordings of his father rapping, along with videos and photographs of him. She described Dion as goofy and fun, always happy, dancing and singing rap. He played basketball in the neighborhood and his son loves to play basketball.

She said Dion's brother moved here and called him a Godsend in helping with his nephew. She said "I'm blessed that he does have his uncle." He has a lot of relatives and he's a happy child.

Their son understands that his father's in heaven and whenever he sees feathers, he says those are from his dad.

"We miss him. We'll keep his memory alive," Rutherford said.

mgreier@mojonews.com