Judge Sentences Two Teen Defendants to Life Without Parole | Full Trial Recap

Two teenagers. One fatal shooting. And a sentence that shocked the courtroom.

When Parise Larry was just 14 years old and Antonio Johnston was 17, a confrontation turned deadly and 20-year-old Tatyanna Zech lost her life while simply taking out the trash.

Both teens stood before the judge, offered emotional apologies, and asked for mercy.
Despite that, both were sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Before you decide whether that sentence was fair, excessive, or justified, here’s what actually came out during the trial 👇🏽

On May 7, 2023, after a cookout with friends and family, Tatyanna Zech and a group walked to a nearby dumpster. What they didn’t know was that Parise Larry and Antonio Johnston were nearby and had an ongoing dispute with Keyshawn Johnson, an 18-year-old in the group. That dispute stemmed from a chain Parise owned and online exchanges on social media.

Words were exchanged.
Then shots were fired.

According to trial testimony:
• Antonio Johnston fired 10 rounds
• Parise Larry fired 3 rounds
• Keyshawn Johnson fired 1 round

Multiple people were struck. Two uninvolved residents inside their homes were shot. Keyshawn Johnson was shot. And Tatyanna Zech was killed.

Ballistics testing could not determine which gun fired the fatal shot due to damaged casings.

After the shooting, both teens fled the scene, abandoned their weapons near a school, and left the city. Days later, Parise turned himself in. Antonio was later arrested out of state.

In January 2025, Antonio Johnston chose to cooperate with prosecutors, pleaded guilty, and testified against Parise in hopes of receiving a lesser sentence.

At trial, Parise Larry claimed self-defense, arguing that Keyshawn fired first and that he shot back to protect himself. Defense attorneys highlighted inconsistencies in Antonio Johnston’s statements, pointing out that his version of events changed after speaking with prosecutors.

Parise ultimately chose to testify on his own behalf.

The jury found Parise Larry guilty on nearly all counts, including:
• First-degree intentional homicide
• Attempted first-degree intentional homicide
• First-degree reckless injury
• Multiple counts of recklessly endangering safety
• Possession of a firearm under 18

During sentencing, the court heard emotional victim impact statements from Tatyanna’s family, followed by pleas for mercy from Parise’s loved ones.

Because first-degree intentional homicide carries a mandatory life sentence, the judge’s decision came down to parole eligibility:
— parole after 20 years
— parole after a longer period
— or no parole at all

Prosecutors argued against parole, citing Parise’s conduct while in jail and the seriousness of the crime. The sentencing hearing itself became chaotic, including a fight in the courtroom before order was restored.

The judge ultimately sentenced 16-year-old Parise Larry to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Then came sentencing for Antonio Johnston. Despite his cooperation, apology, and a different recommendation from prosecutors, the judge sentenced 19-year-old Antonio Johnston to life without parole as well.

Now that you’ve heard the full context — not just the headline —

What do you think?
Was sentencing both teenagers to life without parole fair, excessive, or justified?
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