Carlisle’s killers are sentenced in county court

Gaven Carlisle’s life was ended on March 5 of this year. Carlisle’s father, Jeff Carlisle, used the words, “In the blink of an eye,” in his victim impact statement, which was delivered along with two other statements by Tuscarawas County assistant prosecutor Fred Scott prior to the sentencing of Te’Quan A. Franklin on Oct. 15 for the murder of Gaven Carlisle.

“Gaven was so full of life,” the father’s statement said. “Gaven did not deserve any of this. You took everything away from him in the blink of an eye and altered his family’s lives forever.”

By now the details are all too familiar to those who call Tuscarawas County home. Franklin set up a marijuana deal with Carlisle, but he and Sajjaad Butler, both of Canton, planned all along to rob Carlisle. Butler pulled what the prosecution described as an “AK-47-style” rifle, and when Carlisle turned to run, Butler delivered a single, fatal shot to the back.

Butler received his sentence on Oct. 20. Prior to the hearing, family and friends gathered at the courthouse sporting tie-dyed shirts, a favorite of Carlisle’s, and carrying signs demanding justice for Carlisle.

“Bright, outgoing, colorful” is how Jacob Tristano described his late friend.

Caleb Pugh, who considered Carlisle his best friend, said, “I still hang out with his brothers, and they have almost identical laughs. When I hear Chase laugh, it makes me choke up and cry.”

Pugh recalled a trip to Kalahari Resort in Sandusky with Carlisle. “It was the best weekend of my life. I’ll never forget it,” he said.

Other friends who had gathered called his laugh “contagious” and recalled how Carlisle loved to argue “until his face was red,” even when he knew he was wrong. There was laughter amid the tears as friends described Carlisle and what he meant to them.

“Selfless, loyal and caring” is how Macey Shane described him. Erica Grant said she has saved messages from Carlisle. “Sometimes when I’m sad, I listen to his voice,” Grant said. “When I first heard about it, I couldn’t believe it. Then I sent him a text that said, ‘You’re really gone, aren’t you?’”

Bob Beller, Carlisle’s grandfather, said, “It’s hard. I can hardly even talk about it.”

Emma Herman, who loved going fishing with Carlisle, laughed when remembering how he would walk into their house, open the fridge and start eating as if he lived there.

There were two things all of those gathered were hoping for: justice and closure.

All life is precious

In the courtroom Scott addressed Judge Michael Ernest, saying, “Your honor, Mr. Franklin did not pull the trigger, and although he did admit his involvement in this crime by pleading guilty, all life is precious, and he played a role in snuffing out Gaven’s life needlessly, needlessly over a pound of weed. For that reason, the State of Ohio recommends that he receive a life sentence.”

Matthew Petit, counsel for the defense, asked simply that the judge follow the recommendations of the state.

Even behind the pandemic masks, the pain was visible on the faces of those who loved Carlisle. And there were many. Some of those who attended the hearing had to do so via video feed from another room as Ernest heard from attorneys for both sides.

Prior to sentencing, Carlisle’s mother’s statement was read. Jessica Fuller said, “You have taken one thing from me that was not yours to take, and that’s a life. God sets our time here, and he decides when we are called home. Gaven was still supposed to be here with us.”

Fuller also said she hoped Franklin would receive life without parole. However, if parole eligibility were granted, “Just know I will be there standing at the hearing in front of them, reminding them of what you did, and after I’m gone, my granddaughter will do the same. We will do our best to make sure you rot in prison for the rest of your miserable life.”

Donna Beller, Carlisle’s grandmother, said in her statement, “Nothing will ever right the wrong that you’ve done. We lost a beautiful human being. It is not fair that you get to live your life but Gaven is gone and does not get to be here to enjoy his daughter, his family and his friends.”

Both Franklin and Butler had pleaded guilty prior to their sentencing hearings. Franklin was sentenced by Ernest to life in prison plus three years on a gun specification charge, with eligibility for parole after 20 years. Because the three-year sentence will be served prior to the start of the 20 years, Franklin will not be eligible for parole until 2044.

Butler received 30 years, 25 for aggravated murder plus five years on a gun specification charge, with eligibility after 25 years. As with Franklin, Butler will serve the five years prior to the 30-year sentence, making him eligible for parole in 2049.

Franklin and Butler were ordered to jointly pay restitution in the amount of $21,755.86 to cover funeral expenses for Carlisle.

Addressing Franklin, Ernest said, “Te’Quan, I realize there are others who would like to see something more harsh, but I’m in the position of determining what is fair.”

Of Carlisle, Ernest said, “He should not be remembered for this. He was a good son and a young father that you took the life of.”

Franklin said he was sorry and that he would keep the Carlisle family in his prayers. “I hope you sincerely mean that,” Ernest said, “because from what I have heard here, he was a fine young man who had a lot of good qualities about him and meant a great deal to his family.”