Canton man convicted of attempted murder, sentenced to 35+ years in prison

Lionell Blair III, a 24-year-old man from Canton, has been sentenced to 35 to 40 ½ years in prison for the attempted murder of a Canton woman.

Blair repeatedly shot the female victim multiple times in September of 2022, which led to his conviction of one count of attempted murder with a firearm specification and repeat violent offender specification, two counts of F2 felonious assault, one of those counts with a firearm specification and repeat violent offender specification, and two counts of F3 having weapons under disability, one of those counts with a firearm specification and repeat violent offender specification.

Stark County Prosecuting Attorney Kyle L. Stone expressed his satisfaction with the verdict and sentencing, stating, “We are pleased with the Lionell Blair conviction and sentencing. We want to send a clear message that there is no room for violence of this kind in our community.”

The case was tried by Assistant Prosecutors Kristen Mlinar and Michael John.

Stark County Common Pleas Court Judge Chryssa Hartnett oversaw the case and handed down the sentence, which stipulates that Blair must serve 35 years before being considered for release.