Fight Breaks Out After Homicide Sentencing

A sentence was handed down Thursday morning to the man responsible for pulling the trigger, in the city's first homicide of the year.

Emotions ran high after a 10 to 20 year jail sentence was handed down to 22-year-old Courtney Harden.

About 10 minutes after the sentencing, more than 40 people started to fight on the steps of the Erie County Court House.

The fight came after Harden agreed to plea guilty to third degree murder and aggravated assault for the shooting death of 26-year old Rashid Anderson.

It happened back in January at a private party inside the former East Erie Turners, on Parade Street.

A plea agreement between both parties allowed them to avoid a trial.

Harden's defense attorney said 10 to 20 years is within the plea guidelines, and Harden was given the sentence he had hoped for.

"He was hoping to get the sentence and he got it. We are both convinced that he will learn, he'll grow. And when he comes out, I think he'll be fine," said the family's Defense Attorney, Mark Del Duca.

Anderson's mother, Paula, spoke at Thursday's hearing.

Prosecutors said she was devastated by the fight that broke out, following the sentencing.

"She was very upset. She doesn't want to see anymore violence and I think that was her pitch from the very beginning," said prosecutor, Erin Connelly. "She just wants the violence to stop, and it's not; they couldn't even make it past the court house steps. I think that's evidence of a larger problem," she said.

A judge also ruled that Harden will undergo drug, alcohol, and anger management programs, while in prison.

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