Thursday, August 28, 2024

PONTIAC, Mich. - On Wednesday, August 28, 2024, an Oakland County jury found Sadarie Deshawn Donalson guilty on charges brought by the Oakland County Prosecutor's Office, including Second Degree Murder, Felony Firearm, Carrying a Concealed Weapon, and Resisting and Obstructing a Police Officer. Co-defendant Dewaun Demarco Benion previously pled no contest to Assault with Intent to do Great Bodily Harm.

Oakland County Prosecutor KAREN D. MCDONALD charged Benion and Donalson on February 23, 2024. These charges were in connection with an incident that occurred on February 21, 2024, in Pontiac. The co-defendants went to a party at the victim's apartment, where defendant Benion and the victim got into a verbal argument after defendant Donalson spit in the victim's sink. The victim told both defendants to leave. Both defendants reentered the victim's apartment and Benion started a physical fight with the victim. After the fight stopped, Donalson shot the victim twice. Law enforcement responded to the scene and both defendants were taken into custody.

"This was a senseless killing stemming from a trivial conflict," stated Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald. "I commend the work of law enforcement and the trial team in holding these defendants accountable for this killing. My office will continue to work to protect our community from gun violence and violent crime and we will work to hold dangerous criminals accountable under the law for their actions."

Second Degree Murder is a felony punishable by life imprisonment or any term of years and requires DNA to be taken upon arrest. Carrying a Concealed Weapon is a felony punishable by 5 years imprisonment and/or up to a $2,500 fine. Resisting and Obstructing a Police Officer is a felony punishable by up to 2 years imprisonment and/or a fine up to $2,000. Felony Firearm carries a sentence of two years mandatory imprisonment.

Donalson will remain in the Oakland County Jail until a sentencing hearing, which is set for October 10 at 8:30 am. Benion was sentenced on August 8, 2024, to a one-year jail sentence, with credit for 169 days served.

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