HOLLIDAYSBURG — Three Altoona teenagers facing murder charges in the Feb. 27, 2020, shooting death of 15-year-old Devon Pfirsching of Altoona rendered guilty pleas Thursday in Blair County Court.

Their criminal cases, which were moving toward trial in late November, were resolved with the guilty pleas in exchange for recommended sentences imposed by President Judge Elizabeth A. Doyle.

Those entering pleas were:

— Owen Southerland, 18, to first-degree murder, robbery, criminal conspiracy to commit robbery, criminal use of a communication facility and two firearm violations, in exchange for a sentence of 35 years to life, with the possibility of parole after 35 years.

— Logan Persing, 18, to third-degree murder, robbery, criminal conspiracy to commit robbery and criminal use of a commuication facility in exchange for a sentence of 17 to 34 years, followed by 
16 years’ probation.

— Omedro T. Davis Jr., 18, to third-degree murder, robbery, criminal conspiracy to commit robbery, criminal use of a communication facility and a firearms violation in exchange for 10 to 20 years’ incarceration.

All three teenagers, represented by defense attorneys and with parents in the courtroom gallery, told Doyle that they were making the decision to enter guilty pleas instead of going to trial. She handled each teenager’s case separately.

“I take responsibility for my actions,” Southerland said. “It was never my intention for what happened. Nothing will bring him back.”

Pfirsching’s family members were in court for the guilty pleas, with some electing to speak about losing their teenage family member.

“(Devon) was the glue who held everything together,” Pfirsching’s sister, Destiny, told Southerland. “Nothing will ever fill the emptiness in our hearts.”

She also addressed Persing, her brother’s classmate.

“He sat by you for a year and a half, then you did this,” Destiny Pfirsching said.

Persing bowed his head and dropped his shoulders as Destiny Pfirsching spoke.

“I’m sorry,” Persing said. “I know you won’t forgive me for this … and I feel awful about what I’ve done. I deserve this,” he said of his proposed sentence.

Davis also apologized to the Pfirsching family.

Based on an Altoona police investigation and the criminal charges filed, Southerland was holding the gun that discharged and killed Pfirsching on the 100 block of Fourth Avenue Alley, near Jefferson Park.

Persing was at the shooting site with Southerland, and a third youth, Damien A. Green of Altoona. They met at that location, police said, after planning to rob Pfirsching of cash and marijuana during the nearly-midnight meeting.

While Davis wasn’t at the site of the fatal shooting, Altoona police accused him of procuring the gun used in the shooting and of communicating with the other teenagers about the proposed robbery.

Green’s criminal charges, meanwhile, remain on hold since the state Superior Court ruled Monday that because a decision to transfer them to juvenile court was rendered too late, they should remain in adult court. That ruling is expected to be appealed.

District Attorney Pete Weeks and First Assistant District Attorney Nichole Smith advised Doyle that the recommended sentences were a reflection of negotiations with the defense attorneys and state sentencing rules.

In Southerland’s case, the state requires a judge to impose no less than 35 years to life for a first-degree murder conviction, Weeks said.

Defense attorney Richard Corcoran, who represented Southerland, said the plea offers the certainty of a chance of parole after 
35 years’ incarceration.

That provides him, Doyle acknowledged, with protection from a possibly greater sentence.

Corcoran also said that if Pennsylvania law changes, Southerland could be eligible to have his sentence revised.

Defense attorney Thomas M. Dickey, representing Persing, and Scott N. Pletcher, representing Davis, told Doyle their clients agreed to render guilty pleas to third-degree murder charges instead of the second-degree murder charges originally filed by Altoona police.

Weeks said that allowed him to recommend and negotiate sentences because second-degree murder carries a sentence of no less than 30 years.

Doyle offered her sympathy to the Pfirsching family and to the defendants and their families.

“My heart goes out to everybody involved,” she said.

Dickey expressed remorse as he stood beside his client, who cried in court as he apologized.

“I’m troubled by the youth of today,” Dickey said, indicating that he was speaking for himself to local youth. “It’s not cute to be tough or to act tough. … Actions have ramifications, serious ramifications.”

Weeks said he would challenge the Blair County community to better supervise and address the actions of their youth.

“I have no desire to be in court again with a case like this,” Weeks said.

Mirror Staff Writer Kay Stephens is at 814-946-7456.