David McDaniel, the man who pleaded guilty to the fatal shooting of Cleveland Police Officer James Skernivitz nearly three years ago, was sentenced to life in prison on Thursday afternoon.
McDaniel apologized in court, saying he’s not a bad person but made a bad decision that will keep him behind bars with no eligibility of parole until he is in his 70s.
McDaniel was 18 when he and two other teens tried to rob undercover detective Skernovitz and his informant Scott Dingus in a car near West 65th on the night of September 3rd, 2020.
McDaniel fired multiple rounds into their car, killing both men over a few dollars.
The emotional sentencing hearing was attended by Skernovitz’s family, friends, and fellow police officers who spoke about the devastating impact of his murder.
Skernovitz’s daughter Bailey told McDaniel that she advocated against seeking the death penalty, not because he deserved it, but because she didn’t see how playing a role in ending his life would make her any better than him.
McDaniel will be eligible for parole only after serving 50 years of his life sentence.
