Churchill man to serve 2 to 5 five years in prison for Arnold shooting
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Devon Askew told a Westmoreland County judge he regretted that his actions two years ago in Arnold that left a man shot to death but maintained he never planned to hurt a home intruder he believed was there to injure a woman or her child.
“I am truly sorry and it’s not something I am proud of. I had zero intention of doing what I did, but I felt I had no choice (but) to defend them. All I can do is ask for forgiveness,” Askew said during his sentencing hearing on Monday.
Askew, 27, of Churchill, Allegheny County, was convicted in November of voluntary manslaughter for the July 28, 2020, shooting death of Richard Hildreth. Prosecutors contend Hildreth, 34, was shot twice in the back as he fled outside a Woodmont Avenue home after having entered through a window.
Common Pleas Court Judge Meagan Bilik-DeFazio sentenced Askew to serve 2 to 5 five years in prison. Askew has been in jail since his arrest. He will be eligible for parole this summer.
Askew appeared at Monday’s hearing by video from the county jail.
He did not testify during the four-day trial in which defense attorney Ryan Tutera argued Askew was justified when he fired the fatal shots. The defense asked jurors to find Askew not guilty and cited the state’s Castle Doctrine, which justifies a shooting if it occurs in the course of protecting an occupant while on private property.
“Look at the context of the situation. He wishes he could go back in time and wished this didn’t happen. He has a sincere remorse. He didn’t seek out Mr. Hildreth that night. This was a tragedy for everyone involved,” Tutera said.
Prosecutors sought a first-degree murder conviction at trial, which carries a mandatory life prison sentence.
In court on Monday, Assistant District Attorney Pete Caravello asked that Askew serve at least eight years and up to 20 years in prison.
“Mr. Askew shot a victim twice in the back. Forensically, it looked like he did it outside as (Hildreth) ran away,” Caravello said.
At trial, the defense portrayed Hildreth as a violent man who previously threatened Askew with a gun and, a year before the shooting, assaulted his former girlfriend, with whom he fathered a daughter. Witnesses testified Askew, the 2-year-old child and her mother were asleep when Hildreth entered the home at about 4:30 a.m.
Prosecutors said no shots were fired from inside the house.
Police said the 9 mm pistol used in the shooting was found stuffed into a shoe found in the home during the investigation after Askew fled the scene.
Hildreth’s parents and sister described a troubled man who paid a severe price from his actions.
“I think it was very cowardly to shoot him twice in the back. All I have left is a ghost of him in my mind,” said Hildreth’s mother, Betty Lou Ross.