Osei Sorrell
A man found guilty in a downtown Chattanooga shooting case in which the victim did not come to court has been sentenced to serve nine years in state prison.
Criminal Court Judge Don Poole rejected a defense request that Osei Sorrell be placed on probation for the rest of the term. He has served two years and nine days thus far.
He was found guilty as charged of attempted second-degree murder, aggravated assault, and reckless endangerment.
Shooting victim Kadarius Johnson refused to come to court to testify, and a warrant was issued for his arrest.
He is now on the county sheriff's 12 Most Wanted List.
Sorrell faced 8-12 on the attempted murder charge.
He read a statement in which he continued to deny that he was the shooter. However, Judge Poole said there was strong proof against him.
Sorrell said the only time he ever had seen Johnson was when he testified at the preliminary hearing. He noted that he is a validated gang member.
Prosecutor Andrew Coyle said Sorrell was following Johnson's vehicle at high speeds on a route that included "Erlanger, CSAS, Big River, the climbing gym, and the Market Street Bridge."
Sorrell, 33, said he had obtained a weapon after going through a safety course at Shooter's Depot.
The defense called several family members who said he is a caring, non-violent person, who was close to his family. They included his girlfriend of seven years, his grandmother and his mother.
Sorrell declined to testify at the trial. The only defense witness was the girlfriend.
The state played a preliminary hearing tape of shooting victim Johnson, who was hit by one bullet in the back of the head.
Witnesses said the car chase led through the downtown Tourist District near the Riverfront with a man in a white SUV firing shots at the driver of a Buick sedan.
Prosecutor Coyle said every effort had been made to contact Johnson, who told investigators that if he testified he would be labeled as a snitch and killed by other gang members. The rear windshield of his vehicle was shattered during the incident.
After police began looking for a white SUV, Sorrell was pulled over on E. 4th Street. Sorrell said he had no weapons in the vehicle. However, police recovered a loaded .22 WHR semi-automatic handgun and two magazines of ammunition under the driver’s seat.
Police said gunshot residue was found inside and outside the GMC Yukon that Sorrell was driving.
Sorrell's prior record included three misdemeanor marijuana convictions.
He will be eligible for parole consideration after serving 30 percent of the sentence.