CLEVELAND, OH – A Cleveland father of five who stepped in to protect his 12-year-old son during a neighborhood fight was killed after being struck with a brick and run over by a car, a case that ended this week with prison sentences for the two adults responsible.
Marvin Atkins and Ann Marie Clayton, both 36, pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter in the death of 37-year-old Norman Duncan. The charges stem from an April 14 confrontation that began as a fight between two boys and escalated into a fatal encounter involving both sets of parents.
According to case details, Duncan’s son was involved in a dispute with the couple’s child when Atkins and Clayton intervened, holding the boy against his will. When Duncan attempted to pull his son away, prosecutors said the situation turned violent.
Violence escalates from neighborhood dispute
Clayton struck Duncan in the head with a brick, according to police. Despite the injury, Duncan and his son managed to break free and began walking away from the scene. Authorities said that is when Atkins and Clayton got into a Chevy Impala, drove onto the curb, and hit Duncan.
Duncan’s son called 911 as his father lay injured. Duncan was transported to a hospital, where he later died from his injuries.
Following the incident, Atkins and Clayton fled and remained at large for nine days before being located and arrested at a residence in another part of Cleveland. They were initially charged with aggravated murder, two counts of murder, attempted murder, and multiple counts of felonious assault.
Sentencing and courtroom statements
Both defendants entered guilty pleas on May 14 to reduced charges of involuntary manslaughter. During a sentencing hearing on Wednesday, Atkins was sentenced to 15 to 20 1/2 years in prison, while Clayton received a three-year sentence.
In court, Clayton addressed Duncan’s family, saying, “If I could rewind the hands of time, I would’ve made sure this never happened.” Atkins also spoke, stating, “I’m not, like, a monster. I didn’t mean to hit him.”
A member of Duncan’s family told WJW that she accepted Clayton’s apology, saying, “I feel that it is sincere.”
The case drew attention in Cleveland due to the circumstances surrounding Duncan’s death, which began with a dispute between children and ended with a fatal act involving adults. Duncan is remembered by family as a father who stepped in to protect his child during a moment of conflict.
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