Prosecutors say Tommy Downing and another suspect robbed five people, pistol-whipped victims.
Tommy Downing was sentenced by County Judge Anthony Aloi Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2010 for robbing patrons at North Side social club at gunpoint. Syracuse, NY – A Syracuse man will spend the next 10 years in state prison for his role in the robbery of a North Side social club in May.
Tommy Downing, 36, of E. Matson Ave., received the sentence Tuesday from Onondaga County Judge Anthony F. Aloi following his guilty plea Oct. 5 to five counts of first-degree robbery. Aloi sentenced him to five 10-year terms, to be served concurrently. Downing could have received a maximum of 25 years.
Downing and his lawyer, Patricia Campbell, asked Aloi to sentence him to the eight-year minimum term, but Aloi said the facts of the case warranted the heavier sentence.
According to prosecutors, Downing and another suspect, Willie Hill, robbed five people while they were playing cards at a private social club in the 300 block of North Salina Street. Downing pulled a gun and pistol-whipped a couple of the victims before he and the second suspect stole jewelry and cash, prosecutors said.
Hill, 35, of 114 Crippen Place, pleaded guilty to five counts of first-degree robbery on Oct. 8. He is to be sentenced Dec. 10.