Jury finds man guilty in connection with murder at Willoughby apartment complex
PAINESVILLE, Ohio (WOIO) - One of five suspects charged in connection with the murder of a Euclid man in Willoughby, was found guilty by a jury on multiple counts.
On Friday, July 24, Vance Triplett, 23, of Willoughby, was convicted of:
- One count of complicity to murder
- Two counts of complicity to aggravated robbery
- Two counts of complicity to felonious assault
- One count of tampering with evidence
- Two counts of obstruction of justice
- One count of improperly furnishing firearms to a minor
Triplett will be sentenced on Sept. 21.
Damonte Perry, 20, was fatally shot on Sept. 15, 2025 in the 1300 block of Fox Run Dr.
Perry died from his injuries on Sept. 18, 2025 at University Hospitals.
Triplett, Antoine Graves, Shamar Steele, and two juveniles were charged in connection with the crime. One of the juveniles is the suspected gunman, according to police.
Graves, of Willoughby, has a change of plea hearing on July 29.
Graves was indicted on a total of 10 counts:
- Two counts of complicity to aggravated murder
- Two counts of complicity to murder
- Thee counts of complicity to aggravated robbery
- Two counts of complicity to felonious assault
- One count of tampering with evidence
Steele, of Cleveland Heights, pleaded guilty in December 2025 to to one count of receiving stolen property and one count of improperly handling firearms in a motor vehicle.
In January, Steele was sentenced to five years of community control, with the first 180 days served in jail. Steele had 120 days of credit, so he will serve 60 days in jail.
If Steele violates his community control, he will get three years in prison.
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