Donovann Hall convicted in 2012 Providence triple homicide

Lina PortmanJune 7, 2024

0 3 minutes read

PROVIDENCE – It was a devastating night that broke families apart 12 years ago.

But on Thursday, the last of the men involved in the July 30, 2012, triple homicide was sentenced to 18 years in prison for his role in the botched robbery that turned deadly.

Donovann Hall, 30, pleaded guilty Thursday to three counts of assault with intent to commit robbery and one count of conspiracy in the shooting deaths of Michael Martin, Damien Colon and Shameeka Barros. The charges were changed from murder to assault in exchange for Hall's confession. Three other charges were dismissed.

Superior Court Judge Robert D. Krause agreed to sentence Hall to 18 years in prison, plus a consecutive 20-year suspended sentence and 10 years of probation under the deal with prosecutors. Hall was recognized for the time he has served since his 2013 arrest.

“I think it’s a fair arrangement for all parties,” Krause said.

Hall's attorney, Robert McNelis, expressed gratitude for the resolution of the case.

“Attorney {Terry]McEnaney and I are grateful to the court and the state for this sentence. Ultimately, justice is about balance, and today the court honored that for everyone involved in this tragedy. » said McNelis.

“Even if you participated in an evil act, God loves you”

Colon's maternal grandmother, Theresa Plante, spoke of the unbearable pain the family endured following the 22-year-old's shocking death.

“Even if you participated in an evil act, God loves you,” Plante said. She implored Hall to spend his remaining days doing good in the world, a debt he owes to the heartbroken families of the murdered children.

Hall, of Providence, who turned 30 on Tuesday, also addressed the court.

“If I could go back in time and stop it, I would,” Hall said. He is committed to doing everything he can to become a better person in the future.

A tragic night

It was Hall who came up with the idea to rob Martin, 22, who Hall said sold him cannabis every week.

Hall, along with Quandell Husband and Russell Burrell, met at Timothy “Beeper” DeBritto's house on Middle Drive. DeBritto provided the distinctive 9mm Glock pistol with a red laser sight that DeBritto previously used to shoot a romantic rival. Burrell was delegated to carry the weapon.

Hall did not expect a gun to be introduced, said James Baum, the prosecutor.

The group headed to Martin's apartment at 151 General Street and Martin let them in after Hall knocked on a window. Martin led them to the kitchen, where his friend Colon was sitting at a table. Martin's girlfriend, Barros, 22, was asleep on the living room couch.

Burrell forced his way into the kitchen and looked for stuff to steal, Baum said.

Burrell pulled out the gun and pointed it at Martin's chest. Martin told Burrell to relax. Instead, Burrell fired the gun, Hall testified at her husband's trial.

Hall heard more gunshots as he fled toward DeBritto's house. Burrell fired 17 shots. The only survivors were Barros' children, ages 3 and 5, and his 6-year-old brother, who were sleeping in another room.

Hall's conviction was overturned

Now-retired Superior Court Judge Susan E. McGuirl vacated Hall's conviction in December 2022, noting that Hall's testimony was crucial to the indictment and the conviction of the other participants.

Baum made a deal with Hall that he would get “the best deal of anyone charged,” McGuirl said. Hall fulfilled his end of the bargain and agreed to plead guilty – only for Baum to return.

“This court is of the view that the State, through its prosecutor, should not make promises to a defendant in an attempt to obtain his cooperation and then fail to fulfill that commitment,” McGuirl said.

While Hall was sentenced to life in prison, Husband, who admitted to hiding the gun, was sentenced to 20 years in prison after his conviction was also overturned.

DeBritto pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and other charges. He was sentenced to 40 years, with 20 to serve, to be served concurrently with the 40 years he was already serving for shooting another man.

Burrell – the shooter – is serving three consecutive life sentences plus 10 years.

Hall's grandfather, Melvin Spivey, who was in court Thursday, fought hard to keep the state's word.

“This is not a celebratory situation for the family. All we wanted was justice,” Spivey said Thursday.

Lina Portman

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