Youngwood man get 35-70 years in prison for 2017 stabbing death, drug robbery
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A 43-year-old man will not be eligible for parole until he’s 78 after pleading guilty Monday to third-degree murder in connection with his role in the 2017 stabbing death of a Youngwood man.
Christopher J. David of Youngwood opted to avoid a trial before Judge Christopher Feliciani and a potential life sentence without parole if found guilty in the Nov. 8, 2017, robbery and slaying of Matthew Genard, 50. Feliciani immediately ordered David to serve a combined sentence of 35 to 70 years in prison.
David pleaded guilty to third-degree homicide, robbery and conspiracy to commit robbery in a plot to rob Genard of drugs and money at his home. Prosecutors agreed to drop a conspiracy to commit homicide charge as part of the plea agreement.
State police investigators said David was the ringleader in the plot. State troopers said David and two of three co-defendants — Jason Sullenberger, 42, and Michael Covington Jr., 22 — met with Genard, and David put him in a choke hold, exposing his back, when Sullenberger and Covington repeatedly stabbed him.
Authorities said Genard was stabbed more than 20 times. The men left with Genard’s clothes, two bricks of heroin, cocaine, marijuana and about $1,100.
Addressing Feliciani, David apologized toGenard’s family members and said he agreed to the plea to accept responsibility and enable the victim’s family to avoid listening to the gruesome details at trial.
“I apologize, I’m sorry. No one deserves what happened there,” David said. “I deserve the sentence I’m getting here today.”
But several of Genard’s siblings who spoke before the sentencing said the horrific manner of their brother’s death will live with them forever. Matthew Genard had three brothers and four sisters, according to testimony.
Gerard’s sister, Marcia Hudock, said David’s actions “devastated our family and the entire community of Youngwood.
“Every time your jail cell door slams shut, may it be a reminder of what you did,” Hudock said.
Another sister, Cathy Genard Riser of Florida, said Matthew Genard, the youngest of the Genard siblings, “had his issues, but was known as a very, very kind person.”
“There were four of you … how could you do something to another human being like that?” Riser asked.
Riser said her brother was planning to join her and her husband in Florida “to begin a new life there” right before he was murdered.
“He’ll never get that chance,” she told David.
David kept his head bowed at the defense table where he was sitting next to his attorney, James Robinson, during the victims’ statements.
Assistant District Attorney Tom Grace said he and Assistant District Attorney Anthony S. Iannamorelli were ready for trial Monday, but the plea agreement spared family members the potential “gruesome details” and viewing of photos of the murder that would have been presented at trial.
“The main part was that the family agreed with the terms. That plea agreement was in keeping with the wishes of the family for a very long sentence,” Grace said.
Sullenberger, 42, also of Youngwood, pleaded guilty in March to a reduced charge of third-degree murder, robbery and two counts of conspiracy. He was sentenced to 15 to 30 years in prison.
A jury will be seated in November for the case against Michael Covington, 23, of Youngwood, charged with criminal homicide.
Linda Kay Quidetto, 41, of Sharon, is in the county prison without bond on homicide and related charges. She is accused of conspiring with the men in Gerard’s killing and splitting the drugs and cash afterward.
Quidetto’s trial has not been scheduled.