PAINESVILLE – A mother and her son were sentenced in connection with the shooting death of Damonte Perry at The Hamlets at Willoughby last September.
On Monday, Feb. 23, Carla Farona, 48, pled guilty to evidence tampering, a 3rd-degree felony, for her role in the homicide. She was sentenced by Judge Vincent Culotta to 36 months imprisonment, according to court records.
During the investigation, her son, Christopher Farona, 16, was charged with multiple counts related to the homicide. He was later bound over to the Lake County Court of Common Pleas and tried as an adult.
On Friday, March 6, Christopher was found guilty following a jury trial in Lake County Common Pleas Court. The jury returned guilty verdicts on all counts, including complicity to murder, complicity to aggravated robbery, complicity to felonious assault, evidence tampering and obstructing justice.
Following his conviction, he was sentenced by Judge Patrick Condon to 21 years to life in prison.
Damonte Perry, 20, was fatally shot at The Hamlets at Willoughby on Fox Run Drive on Monday, Sept. 15, 2025. He died from his injuries three days later.
Three men remain in custody without bond and are currently awaiting trial: Antoine Graves, Shamar Steel and Vance Triplett, as well as a juvenile who was charged in connection with Perry’s killing.
In February, Graves, 18, of The Hamlets at Willoughby, rejected a plea deal and is awaiting a new court date while seeking new legal counsel.
Steele, 20, of Cleveland Heights, pleaded guilty in December to one count of receiving stolen property and one count of improperly handling firearms in a motor vehicle.
He was sentenced to five years of community control, with the first 180 days served in jail. Steele had 120 days of credit at the time of his sentencing.
Triplett, 22, of Willoughby, was indicted on a total of 15 counts:
• Two counts complicity to aggravated murder
• Two counts complicity to murder
• Three counts complicity to aggravated robbery
• Two counts of complicity to felonious assault
• One count of tampering with evidence
• Two counts of obstruction of justice
• One count of improperly furnishing firearms to a minor
• One count of improperly handling firearms in a motor vehicle
• One count of carrying a concealed weapon
He has a jury trial scheduled in the Lake County Court of Common Pleas scheduled for Monday, July 20, before Judge Jeffrey Ruple.
