Man sentenced to 10 years in robbery-homicide case after plea revoked

CHAMBERSBURG - An unusual path led Tyree Swindell to court Thursday, after he lost out on a plea agreement during a robbery-homicide trial in September.

Now, four months later, Swindell pleaded guilty to two counts of robbery, and was sentenced to 10 to 20 years in state prison. The minimum term is four years longer than what he was facing under the plea agreement, before he lost it.  

Swindell testified against Tarence Reed, now convicted of fatally shooting Deval Green during a robbery on the evening of Dec. 14, 2015. Swindell lost his plea agreement by not identifying Reed's co-defendant Antoine Hunter in the incident.

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Reed, Swindell and Hunter were part of a group of seven that went to Green's house on Quarry Road in Guilford Township that night, with intent to rob the property. Reed and Hunter were the ones accused of taking firearms onto the property, while many of the others were either assigned as "look outs" or were waiting at their vehicle.

Hunter and Reed were both convicted in Green's death, and are serving life sentences. Three other co-defendants pleaded guilty to the robbery aspect and testified against Hunter and Reed, resulting in them receiving the sentences that average at a five-year minimum.

Before the trial and losing his plea agreement, Swindell was looking at serving between six to 12 years. 

President Judge Carol Van Horn told Swindell she was very familiar with his case, having overseen the trial of Hunter and Reed. 

Swindell went on to describe his role in the incident as going to "Deval's house" and conspiring with others about a robbery. He said he learned later that minors were in the house, along with Green's wife, during the time of the robbery.

Swindell was apologetic, asking to read a letter out loud to the court during sentencing.

In the letter, he described Green as a "good-hearted person," apologizing to Green's family.

"Every day I pray for forgiveness," Swindell said. Swindell spent just over two years in Franklin County Jail from the date of his arrest to Thursday's sentencing, and he said he has taken classes and tried to help people within the jail.

Swindell said something that broke his heart in particular while he's been in jail is hearing from a young nephew who had looked up to Swindell so much that he saved birthday cake for him from his last birthday.

"You've had a couple years to think about what you did, haven't you?" Van Horn asked Swindell. He told her "yes, ma'am."

Shortly after, Van Horn sentenced Swindell to the 10-year minimum, and included several thousands of dollars in fees, fines and restitution.

Becky Metrick, 717-262-4762

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