Saginaw resident Jimmy A. Donald gave DeMarcus Graham’s family one last sympathetic look Tuesday as he was led away to serve prison time for his role in Graham’s death.

In a near full courtroom, Isabella County Trial Judge William Ervin sentenced Donald to a minimum of 24 months and a maximum of 15 years in prison for involuntary manslaughter. He will be eligible for parole upon completion of two years in prison.

Donald, 23, addressed Graham’s family, his own family and the city of Mount Pleasant with his hands chained in front of him and his attorneys at both sides. He told the court he didn’t do anything to help Graham the night he was beaten.

“I can’t explain the remorse I am feeling,” he said while reading from a piece of paper. “…I didn’t realize how selfish my actions were until I saw the tears in my mother’s eyes.”

Graham, a Flint native, was beaten unconscious outside Shaboom Pub Club, 106 Court St. in the early morning hours of June 25, 2004 and died three weeks later on July 14, 2004 in a Saginaw hospital.

Donald pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter on March 8 to avoid related charges of second-degree murder, assault with intent to do great bodily harm and perjury.

Read Wednesday’s edition of CM Life for complete coverage.

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