Two teens sentenced for slaying in 2014

Police said Andre Roberts had arranged to meet two teens in the Hill District to sell them $2,000 worth of heroin. Instead, they killed him. On Thursday, both defendants were sent to state prison.

Jamal Daniel, who was 16 at the time of the June 23, 2014, slaying, pleaded guilty in February to thirddegree murder, robbery, conspiracy and being a minor in possession of a firearm. He will serve 10 to 20 years plus an additional five years on probation as part of a plea agreement.

Jameel Porter, 19, pleaded guilty in June to voluntary manslaughter as well as robbery, conspiracy and illegal gun possession. He will serve 7½ to 15 years in prison, also as part of a plea deal.

Police said Daniel and Porter didn’t have all of the money to buy the drugs, and Daniel, who was sitting in the back seat of a car they were in on Wylie Avenue, pulled out a gun and started shooting while they were trying to negotiate a lower price.

Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge Thomas E. Flaherty imposed the sentences after hearing moving testimony from Mr. Roberts’ family.

He had gotten married three months earlier.

Marissa Roberts told the judge that she and Andre had grown up together, and that he had been her brother’s best friend.

She described having to tell their young son that his father was dead.

He asked his mom, “‘Is my dad an angel now?’ All he knows is his dad is gone, and he’s not coming back,” she said. “I see my husband through my son.”

Ms. Roberts said she forgives Daniel, who police said pulled the trigger.

“I pray for his family,” she said.

Andre Roberts’ uncle, Randy Roberts, said he harbors no ill will toward the defendants and instead hopes they learn something to better their lives.