WARNING: They Tried to Bury This Story of Brutality! | True Crime Documentary

She was driving calmly. She slowed down before the turn, switched on her blinker, and had complete control of the car. But the moment she turned onto a short industrial road, everything changed. The accelerator was pushed all the way to the floor. The car’s speed shot up to 100 mph. Straight ahead was nothing but a stretch of open road ending at a brick building.

 There were three young people inside the car. Behind the wheel was 17-year-old McKenzie Sharilla. Sitting beside her was her boyfriend Dominic Russo. In the back seat was their friend Davien Flanigan, who had simply asked for a ride home. Just seconds later, the car slammed into the building at full speed. 45 minutes later, a passerby happened to notice the wrecked vehicle.

 The first police officers to arrive radioed that the impact had literally torn the car in half. Dominic and Daven were killed. McKenzie survived. At first, it looked like a devastating crash after a night out, but the more evidence investigators uncovered, the less they believed it was an accident.

 threats that had been made before the tragedy, data from the car’s black box, surveillance camera footage, and a route that prosecutors argued had not been chosen by chance. So, was this really a fatal mistake behind the wheel, or had it all begun long before that morning? Hey guys, let me grab you for just a second.

 I’m really curious where my audience is watching from. So, I’d love for you to drop a comment and tell me what city you’re in and what time it is for you right now. Thanks for taking a moment. Go ahead and share that in the comments. And now, let’s keep going. McKenzie Sharilla was born on August 2nd, 2004 to Natal Sherilla and John Steven.

 She grew up in Strongsville, Ohio, where she enjoyed a comfortable childhood with her sibling. As a teenager, McKenzie was like a lot of girls her age. She was active on social media and regularly posted Tik Tok videos with her friends. Although she seemed like a kind and sweet child while growing up, people who knew her said she changed dramatically once she reached her teenage years, some described her as selfish, vindictive, and cruel.

 She was an attractive young woman who had grown used to getting whatever she wanted, and the people around her knew she often acted as though there were no consequences for her behavior. Over time, many of her classmates started distancing themselves from her because of it. As she got older, her parents still believed she was the polite, well-mannered daughter they had always known, unaware of the problems that were quietly beginning to grow.

 Eventually, McKenzie started using drugs and became increasingly defiant. On one occasion, while under the influence, she even damaged a church building. And after enrolling at Strongsville High School, her behavior only became worse. It was there that she met Dominic Russo. From the time he was a kid, Dominic was known for his incredible sense of humor and his ability to make everyone around him laugh.

 His siblings often said he was the one who could always put a smile on their faces, and he was rarely seen without a big smile of his own. Thanks to his strong work ethic and determination to make the most of every day, Dominic had already become a successful businessman, athlete, music producer, and entrepreneur by the age of 20.

 but he wanted to do even more for his community and help people far beyond his hometown, so he planned to join the military. Dominic and McKenzie quickly developed feelings for each other and started dating in 2021. At first, they kept their relationship private, but before long, they made it official on social media. McKenzie regularly shared photos of the two of them together, and in every picture, they looked happy and deeply in love.

 To everyone watching, they seemed like soulmates who wanted to spend every free moment together. Their families got to know each other as well and became very close. It seemed like nothing could ever come between them. They were excited to finish high school and begin building a life together.

 But that happiness didn’t last for long. Dominic began noticing parts of McKenzie’s personality that deeply troubled him. She expected him to agree with everything she said, and he became increasingly frustrated by her constant need to control every situation. Even so, they continued presenting themselves online as the perfect couple.

 Eventually, Dominic decided to end the relationship and told McKenzie it was over. She refused to accept the breakup and didn’t want to lose what they had. But Dominic was determined to move on and stood by his decision. McKenzie was heartbroken, but at the same time, she became determined to win him back.

 The way she chose to do that, however, raised serious concerns. She started showing up at Dominic’s house and threatening to hurt him and [music] damage his property if he refused to let her inside. During one of those confrontations, Dominic recorded her threats on video. >> My car do not let me in the house. You’re going to keep my father if I don’t >> if you don’t let me in the house yet.

>> Dominic tried to calm the situation down. He talked to McKenzie, tried to reason with her, and did everything he could to convince her to settle down. But the more he pushed her away, the more desperate and frustrated she became. One moment she was begging him to come back to her, and the next she was threatening him all over again.

>> Mom, you do not open. Like, you think I’m joking. You think I’m joking? You think I’m joking? Like, I’m dead ass. >> What do you mean? >> You know, that’s exactly what I mean. It doesn’t You don’t even know exactly what I mean. You’re going to come open this door right now or there’s going to be a serious problem.

>> But the more McKenzie revealed her true personality, the more convinced Dominic became that ending the relationship had been the right decision. Even after the breakup and all the arguments, though, they eventually reconciled just as they had before. They got back together and McKenzie seemed different.

 She appeared calmer, no longer showed the same aggression, and came across as kind and sincere. She suggested that Dominic go with her to a party their friend was hosting. Dominic couldn’t wait for the night to come. McKenzie, meanwhile, had planned everything down to the smallest detail. They arrived at the party together and their friends were happy to see the perfect couple back together, smiling and in love once again.

 They danced, drank, [music] and had a great time. For Dominic, it was the perfect night. McKenzie thought so, too, but for a very different reason. At the party, they ran into one of Dominic’s closest friends, Dave Flanigan. McKenzie knew Davien well, too. He was 19 years old and despite spending much of his childhood in foster care before being adopted in 2010, he had grown into an incredibly kind, genuine, and positive young man.

 He had recently graduated from Strongsville High School, where he played on the school’s football team. He planned to attend barber school and eventually open his own barber shop in his hometown. DaVon joined Dominic and McKenzie, and the three of them spent the rest of the night having fun together. They all stayed the night at their friend’s house.

 At around 5:00 that morning, McKenzie woke Dominic and told him it was time to head home. While she was waking him up, Davien woke up as well and asked if they could give him a ride home. So that morning, just one day before Mckenzie’s 18th birthday, she, 20-year-old Dominic, and 19-year-old Daven left the party at around 5 a.m.

 in McKenzie’s 2018 Toyota Camry. McKenzie was behind the wheel. Dominic was in the front passenger seat. DaVon was sitting in the back. At first, McKenzie, who was the only person in the car wearing a seat belt, drove slowly and appeared to have complete control of the vehicle. But the moment she turned from Pearl Road onto Progress Drive, she slammed the accelerator to the floor and never let up.

 The road was only 3/4 of a mile long, about 1.2 km. But in that short distance, she accelerated the car to 100 mph. The road was almost perfectly straight, making it easy to reach an incredible speed. She raced through the industrial area, heading straight toward the end of the road, where a brick building stood. At the very last moment, she steered the car directly toward it.

And at 100 mph, she crashed headon into the building. It was early on a Sunday morning, and the area was made up entirely of industrial businesses. There wasn’t another person in sight. A full 45 minutes passed before a passer by noticed the mangled vehicle and called the police. Within minutes, officers from the Strongsville Police Department arrived at the scene.

 What they found was a devastating crash. The vehicle was almost impossible to recognize. It barely looked like a car anymore. As the first officer rushed toward the wreckage, he immediately radioed that the impact had literally torn the vehicle in half. The severity of the crash was obvious at first glance. So, the officer immediately called for additional units, reporting that there was at least one person trapped inside the vehicle.

>> Radio, there’s a occupant inside. Send us some squad now. This is not a fresh accident either. She’s been here for a while. A few seconds later, the officer spotted a second passenger. >> Freddy, we got at least two occupants in here. No one’s moving. Oh my god. >> Then he discovered a third passenger. >> Oh my god. Times three, guys. Radio.

Three occupants. >> No one’s conscious. No one’s breathing. >> But moments later, the officers realized the driver was still alive. McKenzie was breathing. There was no way to pull her out of the vehicle. Her head was pinned beneath the twisted wreckage and the mangled frame of the car had trapped her inside.

 She was wearing pink fuzzy house slippers and one of them was still pressed against the accelerator pedal. The officers knew they couldn’t free her without the fire and rescue crews. As they waited for emergency responders to arrive, even the most experienced officers struggled to hide their shock at what they were seeing. >> Oh my god. >> Oh my god.

>> 48y old. He’s >> Jesus Christ. >> Pistol horse I’ve ever seen. >> Rest in peace, buddy. >> McKenzie survived. Dominic and Dave did not. Debris from the vehicle was scattered everywhere. The impact was so violent that it looked as if the car had exploded. Firefighters and rescue crews arrived at the scene.

 After they were able to free McKenzie from the wreckage, she was airlifted by medical helicopter to a hospital where she underwent multiple surgeries to save her life. Toxicology tests detected THC in her system, indicating recent marijuana use. Investigators also found a bag containing hallucinogenic mushrooms and a digital scale in her possession.

 At first, police believed the crash may have been caused by McKenzie driving under the influence of drugs. But as the investigation progressed, they became increasingly convinced that her actions had been far more deliberate. When McKenzie regained consciousness in the hospital and realized she had survived, she tearfully told the doctors that her boyfriend’s death was her fault.

 The medical staff initially viewed her statement as the emotional reaction of someone overwhelmed by a tragic loss. The police, however, took those words very seriously. After undergoing several surgeries, McKenzie was released from the hospital and returned home to her parents. While the Sherilla family was preparing to welcome their daughter back home, the Russo and Flanigan families were planning the funerals of their sons.

 Meanwhile, prosecutors continued building their case. And for McKenzie, the evidence was becoming more damaging with every passing day. Investigators first interviewed many of McKenzie’s and Dominic’s friends. One theme came up over and over again in their statements. They said that throughout the relationship, which had ended and restarted several times, McKenzie regularly threatened Dominic.

 Some of those threats involved scratching his car and forcing her way into his house, incidents that had already been documented. But there were even more disturbing threats. According to multiple witnesses, she repeatedly said she would kill him by intentionally crashing the car while he was inside. The most recent incident had [music] happened just 2 weeks before the tragedy.

 During that encounter, she reportedly told him, “Dominic, I’m going to crash this car right now.” Around that same time, Dominic even called his mother and asked her to come pick him up because he was riding with McKenzie and she was driving dangerously. Investigators in the public also noticed that McKenzie’s behavior after the crash didn’t seem consistent with someone mourning her boyfriend and recognizing her responsibility for the deaths of two people.

 One photo she posted at Dominic’s memorial sparked especially strong backlash. One news outlet even described the post as twisted. Many people also felt it was completely inappropriate that she attended a Halloween party not long after the tragedy. What shocked people even more was that she showed up wearing a costume that combined the image of marijuana with a corpse, then shared photos of the costume on her social media accounts.

But those were far from the only posts she made. Just a few weeks after the crash, she was already actively posting videos on Tik Tok again. >> I’m not even cool. I’m just one of those girls that can do a lot of drugs and not die. >> In another post, she shocked many people by writing that she was the kind of girl people die for.

[singing] I’m the girl. >> A similar reaction followed when not long after being released from the hospital, McKenzie attended a concert. Even though she was still confined to a wheelchair because of her injuries, that didn’t stop her from going to the event. The public also took notice of the posts McKenzie and her mother were sharing on social media.

 They were replying to messages and even trying to help McKenzie land modeling work. Many people in the community felt that kind of behavior was completely inappropriate after the deaths of two young men. Some even forwarded conversations between McKenzie and a modeling agency in Los Angeles to the police. Meanwhile, investigators continued examining the physical evidence.

 By that point, the Toyota had undergone a third mechanical inspection. Experts found no mechanical failures or defects that could have caused the crash. The vehicle’s event data recorder, often referred to as the car’s black box, revealed that the instant McKenzie turned onto Progress Drive, she pushed the accelerator all the way to the floor.

 She kept it fully depressed for the entire length of the road. When first responders reached the wreckage, her foot was still on the accelerator. At no point did she apply the brakes. The car raced down the short stretch of road at full speed all the way to the end. Just before the impact, the vehicle drifted slightly onto the grass as McKenzie steered it directly toward the building.

 Data from the black box combined with surveillance footage showed that immediately before the car left the roadway and crashed into the building, the steering wheel was turned sharply 142° to the right and then immediately back to the left. It was the surveillance footage that ultimately convinced investigators this was not an ordinary crash.

 By itself, McKenzie’s behavior before and after the tragedy was not conclusive evidence. But when that behavior was viewed alongside the blackbox data and the video recordings, there was very little room left for doubt. Security cameras from several businesses in the industrial area captured the vehicle’s path that morning.

 Two recordings proved especially important. They allowed investigators to track the car’s movements almost all the way to the moment of impact. In the first video, McKenzie can be seen calmly and confidently making the final turn. She was driving at a normal speed, slowed before the turn, and even used her turn signal.

 Investigators concluded that this was not the behavior of someone recklessly driving under the influence of drugs. The second video showed that the moment she entered the final stretch of road, she immediately floored the accelerator. Then, at the very last second, she sharply steered the car straight into the brick building.

 Her calm, controlled driving just before turning onto that road indicated that she had been fully in control of the vehicle. Investigators therefore concluded that everything that happened after the turn was intentional. Looking at the route on satellite imagery makes the acceleration to 100 mph seem even more devastating.

 The car sped down Progress Drive directly toward the building at the end of the road. Just before the collision, it briefly crossed onto the grass past a cluster of rocks and a road [music] sign, then continued straight into the building. Even if the vehicle had struck only the corner of the building, the damage would still have been catastrophic.

 But investigators believed that such a carefully directed path toward the collision was no accident. After analyzing McKenzie’s phone and GPS data, investigators discovered that in the days leading up to the crash, she had spent a significant amount of time on Progress Drive, a road that was far outside her normal travel patterns.

 That immediately caught investigators attention because neither her daily routine nor her lifestyle offered any obvious reason for her to be in that industrial area so often. Investigators believed she had been going there to study the location and prepare for the future collision. They found no other logical explanation for her repeated visits to that industrial area, making those findings an important piece of the overall case they were steadily building.

 McKenzie, however, accepted no responsibility. Throughout the investigation, she denied any wrongdoing and rejected the conclusions investigators had reached. More than that, she believed her actions did not deserve a severe punishment. That attitude only strengthened investigators belief that she failed to grasp the true gravity of what had happened.

Immediately after the crash, she asked the officers, “Maybe you’ll just suspend my driver’s license for like 10 years or something.” But the consequences of her actions turned out to be far more serious than she had ever imagined. As investigators continued reviewing all the evidence they had gathered, the case looked less and less like a tragic traffic accident, and more and more like an intentional act.

 Based on what they uncovered, investigators believed McKenzie had studied the crash site in advance, repeatedly threatened Dominic during their troubled relationship, deliberately accelerated the car to an extreme speed, intentionally chosen that specific route, and kept her foot on the accelerator until the very moment of impact.

 Taken together, investigators concluded that McKenzie had intentionally and ruthlessly caused the deaths of Dominic and Davon. In their view, the totality of the evidence showed that this was not a tragic accident or a fatal mistake behind the wheel. On November 4th, 2022, law enforcement officers arrested McKenzie Sherilla.

 After completing the primary stages of the investigation and reviewing the evidence they had collected, they formally took her into custody. She was charged with more than 12 criminal offenses, including four counts of murder, four counts of felonious assault, two counts of aggravated vehicular homicide, unlawful possession of drugs, and possession of criminal tools.

 Because she was 17 years old at the time of the crash, McKenzie was placed in a juvenile detention facility. She remained there during the early stages of the criminal proceedings while prosecutors prepared the case for trial. During the pre-trial hearings, the prosecution offered McKenzie a plea deal.

 Accepting it could have resolved the case without a full trial if she had agreed to the proposed terms. She refused. By doing so, McKenzie made it clear that she had no intention of admitting guilt under the offered agreement. Her attorney informed the court that the defense was prepared to move forward with a full trial. That meant the case would be heard in court with all of the evidence presented, witnesses questioned, expert testimony introduced, and both sides given the opportunity to make their case.

>> That’s correct, your honor. I went on Monday and discussed this at great length with McKenzie the week before that with her parents present. talked with her today and it’s her desire that she does not want to enter a plea of two counts of murder. >> Okay. And uh McKenzie, are you satisfied with your lawyer so far? You can see.

>> Yes. >> Before the trial began, McKenzie also waved her right to a jury trial. That decision meant her case would be heard without a jury and the judge alone would determine whether she was guilty. She chose to have her case decided by a single judge rather than a panel of 12 jurors.

 That format was established before the trial began and the proceedings moved forward accordingly. Given the circumstances of the case, prosecutors decided to try her as an adult. In their view, the nature of the alleged crime and the surrounding evidence justified that decision. During the trial, prosecutors presented detailed testimony about McKenzie’s aggressive behavior and the repeated threats she had made against Dominic.

They argued that she often reacted with anger whenever she didn’t get what she wanted or when Dominic refused to do what she demanded. By presenting those incidents one after another, the prosecution sought to demonstrate what they described as a consistent pattern in her behavior and her relationship with Dominic.

 They also reminded the court about the incident in which McKenzie repeatedly demanded that Dominic let her into his house. Prosecutors pointed to that confrontation as one example of how in their view she responded whenever she was rejected or felt she was losing control of a situation. >> Mom, if you do not open like you think I’m joking. You think I’m joking.

 You think I’m joking. Like I’m dead ass. >> What do you mean? >> You know it. That’s exactly what I mean. because you don’t know exactly what I mean. You’re going to come open this door right now or there’s going to be a serious problem. >> Prosecutors also reminded the court that McKenzie had threatened to break the door handle if she wasn’t let inside.

They said she then began pounding on the door while counting down out loud to the moment when, in her own words, the problems would start. According to the prosecution, that behavior reflected her state of mind and attitude long before the tragedy ever happened. The prosecution also argued that McKenzie fully understood just how deadly a car could be.

 Prosecutors maintained that she knew exactly what could happen if a vehicle was used as a weapon. They pointed to her repeated threats to intentionally crash the car with Dominic inside, arguing that those statements were a critical part of the evidence showing intent. Prosecutors also told the court that in the months following the crash, McKenzie did not behave like someone grieving a devastating loss.

 In their view, the way she lived her life after the tragedy was inconsistent with someone sincerely mourning the deaths of two people who had been close to her. Instead of grieving, they argued, she carried on with her life as if nothing had happened. The prosecution placed particular emphasis on that point during its presentation.

 The court was shown her Tik Tok videos, photographs from the concert she attended, and evidence related to her efforts to pursue modeling work. According to prosecutors, those materials helped paint a broader picture of her behavior after the crash. The prosecution then presented the physical evidence along with testimony from crash reconstruction experts.

 That portion of the trial became one of the most significant because it was based on technical analysis and the results of extensive forensic examinations. The experts testified that the crash was not an accident and was not caused by any mechanical failure in the vehicle. They concluded that the evidence did not support the theory of a mechanical defect.

 In their opinion, McKenzie had deliberately and carefully planned Dominic’s death. That was the conclusion supported by both the expert witnesses and the prosecution. They further argued that Davien, Dominic’s best friend, who had simply asked for a ride home, became an unintended victim. According to the prosecution’s theory, he was in the car only because of circumstances and was never the intended target.

 The defense, however, insisted that the tragedy was a terrible accident and maintained that McKenzie had no memory of the crash itself. Her attorneys consistently denied that she acted with intent and urged the court to accept that version of events. They argued that it was impossible to determine with certainty who had sharply turned the steering wheel 142° just 1 second before impact.

In their view, the available evidence could not answer that question conclusively. During the cross-examination of the crash reconstruction expert, the defense raised a series of questions aimed at challenging the prosecution’s conclusions. Could McKenzie have turned the wheel suddenly to avoid an unexpected obstacle? Could one of the passengers have grabbed the steering wheel? Or was she desperately trying to regain control of the car in the final moments? Those were the alternative explanations the defense asked the court

to consider for what happened just before the collision. At the same time, the defense acknowledged that McKenzie had been driving dangerously. However, her attorneys argued that reckless driving alone does not prove an intent to commit murder. In the end, the totality of the evidence, especially the surveillance footage, proved highly persuasive.

 Together with the rest of the evidence presented during the trial, those recordings became some of the key factors the court relied on in reaching its final decision. As the judge announced the verdict, he said, >> “The video clearly shows the purpose and intent of the defendant. She chose a course of death and destruction that day.

 She morphs from a responsible driver to literal hell on wheels. Her actions were controlled, methodical, deliberate, intentional, and purposeful. This was not reckless driving. This was murder.” Prosecutors also explained why they had chosen to try McKenzie as an adult. That issue came up repeatedly throughout the case because she was still a minor at the time of the tragedy.

 For that reason, the prosecution believed it was important to clearly explain and justify its position before the court. According to the prosecutors, when someone keeps the accelerator pinned to the floor for four or 5 seconds, accelerates to 100 mph, and crashes into a building, we believe charges like these are fully justified.

The court found McKenzie Sharilla guilty on all 12 charges. With that verdict, one of the most significant chapters of a case that had drawn widespread public and media attention for months came to an end. During the sentencing hearing, prosecutors once again emphasized what they described as McKenzie’s complete lack of remorse, pointing to her behavior in the weeks and months following the tragedy as evidence.

 They urged the court to consider those actions when determining her sentence. The judge also gave the victim’s families an opportunity to speak. For them, it was a chance to address the court personally, express their grief, and describe how the tragedy had permanently changed their lives. The first to speak was Davian’s mother.

>> Uh, your honor, my name is Jamie Flanigan. I am the mother of the victim, DaVon Flanigan. I want to share a small part of what we lost on 721, I’m sorry, 731, 2022. My son Davon is and always will be so much more than cargo. He was precious. He was an amazing soul with a heart of gold. He gave to the world what we he wanted most in his own life. Love.

 [snorts] The kind of love that would rescue a friend in the middle of the night, no questions asked. The kind [snorts] that would protect others and honor them. He made friends easily with his infectious smile. He was a gifted athlete. He had plans to go to barber school and open his own shop. My son did not have a click of friends, but instead was a friend to all.

 He would go out of his way to show love and kindness to others, including those that were often cast aside by society, the less [snorts] fortunate, the developmentally challenged, the hurting, and the unvalued. >> [snorts] >> Devon made sure that everyone that crossed his path knew that he truly saw them, that he valued them, and that they were worth his time.

DaVon and my kids have had more than their fair share of heartbreak, [snorts] of hardship, and of loss. DaVon was adopted with his sisters from foster care. They are biological siblings. We are honored to be chosen or to have been chosen to be [snorts] their parents, their forever family. I am devastated by the loss of DaVon.

 The world lost a truly special man. >> After that, Dominic’s mother addressed the court. She stood before the judge to speak personally, sharing [music] her thoughts and the unimaginable pain of losing her son. Her victim impact statement became one of the most emotional moments of the hearing, reflecting the heartbreak her family had endured since the day of the tragedy.

>> I’m Christine Russo. I’m Dominic’s mother. No one wanted this to be a murder or to punish McKenzie Sharilla for this accident. But this was not a car accident. The evidence and science proved that McKenzie Sharilla murdered my son Dominic as well as [snorts] DaVon. There’s no fix put in in this case as the Sherillas would like to proclaim.

Want to thank Strongsville Police Department and the state of Ohio for seeking the truth behind this crash. Thanks to them, we all know what happened in that car that day. What we don’t know is why I wish I could change this every day. I lost three children in that crash. Not a minute goes by each day that I don’t think about my son as well as DaVon. My heart is forever broken.

The cries heard from the Shrill family and friends after the verdict are nothing more than a lack of remorse. Mackenzie Sterilla had a choice. Dom and DaVon did not. We are all left here to mourn. But what Dave, Tom, Anick, and DaVon lost can never be remedied in any way or by any particular sentence. July 31st, 2022, I called Mackenzie’s mother, hysterical with the loss of my son and DaVon.

[snorts] I knew Mackenzie was in the hospital. And the first statement said to me was, “Oh, please don’t listen to what everyone’s saying on Facebook.” Yeah, my son is dead. His friend is dead. and I’m checking on yours that social media is what’s important. Social media has made a game out of the life of McKenzie and is making a game out of this heart-wrenching tragedy.

 No one can imagine the pain of losing a child unless they have lost one themselves. The pain is forever more. Time does not heal this wound. McKenzie going to prison because you did this. Be thankful that you’re still alive and have a future, whatever that may be. Dom and DaVon were robbed of their futures, their hopes, and their dreams.

McKenzie showed no mercy on Dominic, nor did she on DaVon. Only God at this time can have mercy on her soul. Thank you. >> McKenzie’s mother also addressed the court. Before the judge handed down the final sentence, she took the opportunity to speak on her daughter’s behalf and address the court directly.

 For her, it was one of the most emotional moments of the entire trial. >> My name is Natalie Sharilla. Um, I just want to say, am I allowed to address them at all? >> Sure. >> I just want to say to the families that I’m broken, sad, and lost, and my heart hurts for everyone. Okay. Davian was her new friend and Dom was the love of her life and he was part of our family.

Okay. I’m just so sorry that this happened and we’re heartbroken. Okay. And then your honored this was a terrible tragic nightmare accident to have happened that she has no memory of and she will never emotionally or physically recover of it recover from it. Um she almost died too and we’re asking that you please not run the sentences consecutive.

 He was family and we all loved each other. That morning of the accident, she called. I got a phone call that there was a car accident. Okay. So, we went to the hospital and I didn’t even know who was in the car. The names had not been confirmed yet. And I was I’m going to cry because I missed him so much. We loved him so much.

So, I called Dom like over and over again praying that he was going to answer the phone and he didn’t answer the phone. So then I tried to call his mom and she didn’t answer the phone either and I still didn’t know who was in the car. I didn’t even know if she was alive. I didn’t know what was happening. So then we were in the waiting room and then his mom ended up did she did call me.

 So I answered the phone and I was like, “Oh my god, like I don’t even know who was in the car. Like what’s happening? Was that Dom?” And she said, “What do you mean? My son is dead.” And I was like, “I’m so sorry.” And then she said something like, “And now I have to wait until your kid’s out of the hospital.” And then I didn’t hear the rest.

 I just I was like we loved him so much and I hung up the phone. I did not talk about social media. I didn’t even know what was going on yet. Okay. So then that was it. So in the hospital that vitality post I commented on that because somebody had called her a murderer. Okay. And she wouldn’t she’s not a murderer. So she didn’t even have her phone at that point because the police had still had it.

Okay. So, um, I jumped on and I was like, you know, she’s not a murderer. She’s more sad than hurt than most of these people commenting. Um, she’s been trying to get in touch with you. I mean, at that point, it was just an accident. So, I commented on her behalf, not because of the modeling opportunity.

 I don’t even who cares about that? I don’t want them to refer to her as a murderer. Okay? And I don’t even know how that commented got on the phone because the police still had her device and she could not access her phone or social media. That’s why I did it. And um I had called them asking if they could shut down social media because people were calling her a murderer and making death threats and organizing groups to, you know, take her out when she got out of the hospital and stuff. So, I didn’t even want her phone.

I don’t care about her phone. I don’t care about social media. I just wanted them to stop calling her a murderer so that when she did come to and she did come out of surgery, multiple surgeries, that she wouldn’t see all these people calling her a murder because she would never ever ever murder the love of her life.

 Okay? Halloween for 3 months after the accident, she would only wear his clothes. She would only eat the snacks he ate. She would only listen to the music he wrote. Okay? So she was crying for 3 months. So her friends asked if she wanted to go out trick-or-treating or Halloween and it was at OU. And she didn’t even want to go.

 She said, “I don’t know. Should I go?” She couldn’t even walk yet, barely. So I told her, I said, “Baby, please go. It’s Halloween. You’ve been laying for 3 months crying, only listening to his music. Please go have just a moment of fun. A moment of fun.” So we told her to go. My husband drove her. I brought her back home.

 She just needed a second of fun from losing her whole world. Her whole world. So that was us. We told her to go. And that concert she went to with Dom’s cousin Abby. They picked her up. They brought her there. That was Dom. Mackenzie and Dom and Abby all decided to go to this concert together while they were in the hospital.

 She’s like devastated and tragic. He was the air that she breathes. Okay. and they went with his cousin with we spent all kinds of time with him after the accident. Um, what was the other thing? >> I’m hearing an awful lot about your daughter. I’m not hearing very much about >> Dominic. Okay. I’m asking you for a leniency because this was a tragic accident that she does not remember.

 And do we don’t He’s a new friend and I’m so sorry. Does >> that mean his wife is worthless? >> No, no, no, no. No. God, no. Not at all. They all They all loved each other. They all spent every day together. I understand what it looks like. I’m I’m I’m saying that it was a tragic accident. She would never >> have to disagree.

>> I understand. >> Right. And I respect >> I understand. But anyway, that’s it. I just wanted to address those. We told her to go to those things and then she did go with Dom’s family. So, look at that. Don’t look at it with the look at that. look on that with different eyes if you can, please. >> This is that those things are not relevant.

>> Not at all. Not at all. Not at all. But she’s a good if you would if you would have a moment. All you would need is 5 minutes of a conversation to have with her to learn who she is. Just that you would just need five minutes to learn who she is and what she’s capable of not doing and doing and you would see for yourself. That’s all.

 I’m so sorry, guys. I’m sorry. I love you. McKenzie was the last person to address the court. After everyone else had finished their statements, she was given the opportunity to speak before the court reached its final decision. The courtroom fell silent as she began, knowing these would be her final words before the court at this stage of the case.

>> You don’t have to speak if you don’t want to. It’s up to you. >> Okay. say if it’s more >> the families of D and Davia, I’m so deeply sorry. I hope one day you can see I would never let this happen or do it on purpose. I wish I could remember what happened. I’m just so sorry. I’m heartbroken. I love D and Davon.

 We were all friends and D was my soulmate. I wish I could take all your pain away. And I’m so sorry. And to my family, thank you for the support and all the love you guys give. Thank you for fighting with me. I love you all so much. Thank you. >> Following her convictions, McKenzie automatically faced a sentence of life in prison with the possibility of parole after no fewer than 15 years for each of the two murder convictions.

 That was the sentencing range required by law after the court found her guilty on both counts. The most difficult decision facing the judge was whether those sentences should run concurrently or consecutively. That ruling would determine when McKenzie would first become eligible to apply for parole. The judge explained that although the victim’s families wanted the harshest possible punishment, she was required to strike a balance between justice and all of the circumstances of the case.

 She said the sentence had to reflect not only the devastating consequences of the tragedy, but also the legal standards the court was obligated to follow, regardless of the public attention surrounding the case. In the end, McKenzie Sharilla was sentenced to two life terms, each carrying parole eligibility after 15 years for the murders of Dominic Russo and DaVon Flanigan.

 That sentence ultimately determined her future after the trial came to an end. The court ordered the two life sentences to run concurrently, meaning they would be served at the same time rather than one after the other. As a result, she will become eligible to apply for parole after 15 years. However, being eligible to apply does not guarantee release.

 It simply gives her the legal right to request parole consideration. Even after the verdict, there are still people online who defend McKenzie Sharilla. The debate surrounding the case did not end with the trial, and disagreements between her supporters and critics continue to this day. Some supporters argue that she was effectively pressured into waving her right to a jury trial.

 In their view, that decision may have significantly influenced the outcome of the case. They also believe that her Tik Tok videos, along with her decision to attend parties and concerts after the tragedy, may have appeared insensitive, but were typical behavior for a teenager and by themselves did not prove her guilt. In their opinion, those actions may have created a negative impression, but they were not direct evidence of an intentional crime.

 Others have suggested that she may have accidentally pressed the accelerator instead of the brake. Some supporters point to that possibility as an explanation for what happened in the final seconds before the crash. Others believe a mechanical malfunction may have prevented the vehicle from recording any brake application, even if she had actually tried to stop the car.

 In their view, that could explain the tragic outcome. Overall, McKenzie’s supporters argue that the prosecution failed to present enough evidence to prove beyond doubt that she intentionally drove the car into the wall at 100 mph. They believe the evidence was insufficient to conclusively establish intent. They also argue that much of the prosecution’s case was focused on portraying McKenzie as a bad person rather than proving she intended to commit murder.

 For that reason, they continue to maintain that the verdict was unjust. Most people, however, agree with the court’s conclusion that McKenzie Sharilla was guilty. In their view, the totality of the evidence presented during the trial was sufficient to establish that her actions were intentional. The lead prosecutor shared that same view and after the trial concluded said >> the intent was obvious upon seeing that video that there was only one goal and the computer demonstrated that there was no attempt to slow down or stop that it

was full speed into a building and said tragically it cost two people their lives. Although the families of Dominic and Daven were grateful that the court found McKenzie guilty, most of them were still disappointed with the sentence she received. For them, the guilty verdict was an important step toward justice, but they did not believe the punishment fully reflected the gravity of what had happened.

 They had hoped the sentences for the two murders would be served consecutively rather than concurrently. In their view, only consecutive sentences would properly reflect the magnitude of the tragedy and the responsibility for taking two innocent [music] lives. They believed McKenzie had taken the lives of two innocent young men and should spend the rest of her life behind bars.

 That was the sentence they had hoped the court would impose, believing it would have been the only truly just outcome in such a heartbreaking case. Dominic’s father, Frank Russo, however, expressed a more compassionate perspective. Despite the unimaginable loss of his son, his remarks stood in noticeable contrast to those of most of the people in the courtroom, including other members of his own family.

 He said, “This is a terrible tragedy for everyone. Yes, I lost my son. It’s the greatest pain our family has ever experienced. But I don’t want this young woman’s entire life to be destroyed either. It still won’t bring my son back. McKenzie Sharilla is currently serving her sentence at the Ohio Reform Women, where she has remained since the court handed down its verdict.

 It is there that she continues to serve her time. While the case, which once drew enormous public attention, continues to spark debate and strong opinions. Despite the court’s decision, there are still people who firmly believe she is innocent. Because of their support, McKenzie regularly receives letters in prison expressing sympathy, encouragement, and hope.

 To her supporters, she remains someone who, in their view, never deserve to be punished. To others, the sentence represents the appropriate conclusion to a deeply tragic case. She will become eligible to apply for parole on October 21st, 2037. That is the first date on which she can legally request parole. Although whether she is actually released will ultimately be decided by the appropriate parole authorities.