A Gary man who shot and killed a 51-year-old man during an argument last year was sentenced to 19 years in prison Friday.
Lamar Golston, 62, pleaded guilty to an amended charge of voluntary manslaughter in October for shooting Curtis Burnside. He was initially charged with murder for the Sept. 8, 2022 shooting.
Burnside’s daughter told the court that her father was a man with “infectious” energy whom she considered her best friend.
“He didn’t deserve what you did,” she said to Golston during the sentencing hearing.
Burnside’s mother said he was her primary caretaker since she had taken a fall prior to his death. Since his passing, she said, she does not have someone who can consistently help her with meals, transportation and other activities.
“Some things I don’t understand,” she said, “but I pray for Mr. Golston that he will let Jesus into his heart.”
Golston shot Burnside three times in the back while outside a home in the 4100 block of Buchanan Street in Gary. Golston was identified on scene by a witness and taken into custody.
Various members of Golston’s family sent in letters in which they spoke highly of his character. He and his wife are raising one of their grandchildren, defense attorney Kirk Marrie said. He suggested a sentence with terms of probation or alternative placement.
Marrie said the Golston and Burnside had been “feuding” in the days prior to the offense. Both resided on the same block of Buchanan Street in Gary and the situation escalated during a confrontation between the two. Marrie said the offense was committed under sudden heat, which is a stipulation of the voluntary manslaughter defense.
Deputy Prosecutor Jovanni Miramontes said two witnesses were outside the home where Burnside resided when Golston and another man came looking for him. Golston was armed and Burnside was not.
Golston has one previous felony conviction for rape from when he was in the military. While Marrie said it demonstrated that he has been a law-abiding citizen for most of his life, Miramontes said it demonstrated Golston’s character.
In a statement to the court, Golston apologized to the family and said the shooting happened very suddenly.
“I still can’t believe it happened myself,” Golston said. “I understand there is nothing I can say to ease the pain and suffering it caused.”
Lake County Criminal Court Judge Salvador Vasquez said he believed some of the more aggravating factors outweighed the mitigating factors in the case.
“We try to balance your fate with the event of someone losing their life,” Vasquez said. “This person had a family. There should be no question for anyone paying attention that this person’s life was still significant.”
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