Dion Ford's killing: Man sentenced for his role in fatal shooting
ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) - A man has been sentenced to more than 20 years for his role in the murder of former St. Paul athlete Dion Ford during a robbery attempt last year.
D'Angelo Semaj Dampier, 20, of St. Paul, was sentenced on Wednesday to 306 months (25.5 years) for his role in the murder of Ford, who was a star football and basketball player at St. Paul Central High School prior to graduating in 2019.
A jury last fall convicted Dampier of two counts of second-degree murder, aiding an offender by being an accomplice after the fact, and two counts of possession of a firearm or ammunition by an ineligible person.
RELATED: Remembering Dion Ford: Tournament raises money in name of slain St. Paul athlete
The state had asked for 367 months (30.5 years), which would have been the maximum under state sentencing guidelines, while Dampier asked the judge for 15 years.
The judge said he wasn't going to give the maximum sentence asked for by the state because he holds Xavion Bell more responsible for Ford's murder.
Bell, who prosecutors allege shot Ford, goes to trial later this year.
Remembering Dion Ford: Tournament raises money in name of slain St. Paul athlete
Once an inspiration to his community, Dion Ford Jr. is now their motivation to make a better future for generations to come. Less than a year after his death, his teammates and classmates are working hard to ensure his name lives on forever by organizing a basketball tournament that raises money for an athletic scholarship.