Three Men Sentenced for Columbus Manslaughter
Three men were sentenced to prison terms following a 2023 fight that resulted in the death of a 53-year-old man.
Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Violence
Three men were sentenced to prison terms ranging from 19 to 24.5 years for involuntary manslaughter and felonious assault. The charges stem from a December 2023 fight in Columbus that led to the death of 53-year-old Donald Smith Jr.
Why it matters
The sentencing concludes a legal process that began after a physical altercation at a business on South High Street turned fatal. The defendants were originally charged with murder before pleading guilty to the lesser charges.
Jamarion Evans-Bennett, Dionta Hughes, and Jayden Agee received sentences of 19 to 24.5 years after pleading guilty. The prosecution began with murder charges in December 2023 before the case shifted to involuntary manslaughter.
The players
Jamarion Evans-Bennett
He is one of the three defendants who pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and felonious assault.
Dionta Hughes
He is a defendant in the case who received a prison term for his role in the 2023 altercation.
Jayden Agee
He is one of the three men convicted and sentenced for the death of Donald Smith Jr.
Donald Smith Jr.
He was the 53-year-old victim who died following a fight in a Columbus parking lot.
The details
After being asked to leave a business on the 3600 block of South High Street, the defendants engaged in a physical altercation with Donald Smith Jr. in a parking lot. The group fled the scene in a red car following the fight, which occurred on December 6, 2023.
Timeline
The initial fight occurred at 7 p.m. on December 6, 2023.
Donald Smith Jr. passed away on December 11, 2023.
The suspects were initially charged with murder in December 2023.
The defendants received their final prison sentences in September 2026.
Legal Context
This case highlights the procedural trajectory of violent felony prosecutions and the eventual plea agreements that resolve them within the local justice system. It reflects the standard practice of the courts in balancing serious initial charges against the evidentiary requirements for manslaughter convictions.
The sentencing of these three individuals marks the formal conclusion of a violent incident that occurred in a public business space on South High Street. Residents and local business owners may view this resolution as a final step in addressing the safety concerns surrounding the 2023 altercation.
The takeaway
This case underscores the severe, long-term legal consequences that follow spontaneous acts of violence involving physical altercations. Families and individuals should remain aware of how quickly disputes in public spaces can escalate into permanent, life-altering criminal convictions.
Further reading
For more information on legal outcomes in the area, visit the Violence section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by NBC4i.
