Judge denies YO status for Phinizee
FLORENCE — Youthful offender status was denied Tuesday for a 17-year-old charged with the death of a 13-yearold during what authorities said was a robbery attempt.
Lauderdale County Circuit Court Judge Carole Medley turned down the request from Cameron Leonard Phinizee of Russellville at the conclusion of a hearing that included comments from people testifying for and against the suspect.
“I’ve taken into consideration the heavy decision I have to make today, and Mr. Phinizee, I am denying your request for youthful offender status,” Medley said.
Phinizee is indicted on charges of felony murder and first-degree robbery in the March 26 death of 13-year-old Ryland Calvert.
Prosecutors said Phinizee and Calvert had planned to rob someone at Southern Oaks Village apartments, but the person shot and killed Calvert.
The shooter was not charged after a Lauderdale County grand jury determined he acted in self-defense.
The grand jury found that Phinizee is legally responsible for Calvert’s death since he was part of the robbery attempt that resulted in the death.
Phinizee is out on a $60,000 bond but must wear an ankle monitor.
Calvert’s grandmother, Sherry Willis, testified in the hearing that Calvert’s mother, Tiffany Calvert, texted Phinizee on March 26 asking where her son was. He replied he did not know.
That was after the shooting, and Tiffany Calvert saw on a location app that her son was at Southern Oaks Village.
Ryland Calvert’s father, Jon, often looked directly at Phinizee while testifying, saying Phinizee drove Ryland Calvert to the apartment complex where the incident occurred and told him they were going to buy ear pods.
Jon Calvert said the person who shot his son left the scene, and Phinizee then left.
“Ryland was laying there bleeding out,” Jon Calvert said. “You could have picked him up, put him in your car and drove him to the hospital.”
He told Phinizee he would recommend youthful offender status if Phinizee could tell him why he decided to leave his son behind. Phinizee, seated at the defense table in a blue suit, said nothing.
“That’s what I thought,” Jon Calvert said. “You took him from my house and left him shot.”
Phinizee played football at Russellville High School and had college scholarship offers. Several people, including former coaches of Phinizee’s, asked Medley to grant youthful offender status.
Justin Sappington said Phinizee never meant for anyone to get shot. He said Phinizee is a good person who made a bad decision.
“I’ve seen him in the locker room,” Sappington said. “I’ve seen how the young man carries himself. In all accounts he’s always been respectful.”
Phinizee’s defense attorney, Tony Hughes, told Medley someone who is granted youthful offender status still can be punished. The Code of Alabama states the maximum prison sentence under the status is three years.
Cameron Phinizee, 17, listens as a supporter speaks to him before a Lauderdale County Circuit Court hearing on Sept. 9. Phinizee is charged with felony murder and first-degree robbery in the death of 13-year-old Ryland Calvert.
Hughes pointed out Phinizee was not the shooter.
“Ryland was a kid,” he said. “Cameron is a kid. He’s 17 years old. He made stupid decisions that day, but he still is a kid. You can still hold him accountable. You can still send him to prison.”
Chief Assistant District Attorney Angie Hamilton told Medley that Phinizee took Calvert with him to rob someone of air pods, knowing a 13-year-old would not be charged as an adult. She said Calvert looked up to Phinizee, who needed money for a trip to the beach that he was going to take the following day.
“He made that choice to drive a 13-year-old there,” Hamilton said. “He watched as Ryland was shot to death in that parking lot. He lied to Ryland’s mom.”
She said Phinizee also initially lied to police.
