City man previously sentenced to death given up to 60 years in prison after pleading guilty to murdering hip-hop artist at 2010 concert

A former city man who was previously sentenced to death was sentenced to 30 to 60 years in state prison today after he pleaded guilty to shooting and killing a hip-hop artist at a show in 2010.

Judge Jeffrey Conrad accepted the plea and imposed the new sentence on Jakeem Lydell Towles, formerly of the 800 block of North Lime Street, for shooting and killing 20-year-old rapper Cornell Anton “Young E-Z” Stewart outside a Columbia concert venue the night of May 7, 2010. Towles, 36, pleaded guilty to third-degree murder, attempted murder and a felony firearms offense.

Though Towles had previously been found guilty of first-degree murder and subsequently sentenced to death following a 2012 trial, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania earlier this year ordered that the case be re-tried after they found that his then-attorney had provided him ineffective assistance. 

An attorney representing Towles told the court that, while he could have requested another trial, he wished to avoid subjecting Stewart’s family through such an ordeal again.

While today’s sentencing marked the end of the judicial process, “this journey is not over,” Stewart’s father, Cornell Stewart Jr. said, adding that he hoped Towles would do something productive if he’s ever released from prison.

Other members of Stewart’s family took a different tone.

Elizar Maldonado, Stewart’s older brother, called Towles’ actions that night in 2010 a “coward’s move.”

And, Maldonado continued, he has “no respect” for Towles bringing everyone back to court to fight for a few years of extra life after incarceration after having taken someone else’s.

“You’ve got time to come home,” Maldonado said, “but respectfully, I don’t want none of it.”

Grissette Sanchez, Stewart’s mother, agreed, telling Towles he “stole” her son’s life and called his actions “narcissistic.” Towles hung his head and grimaced as Sanchez, fighting through tears, told him his “complete disregard for human life” could have also resulted in more deaths than just her son’s.

Despite the mixed emotions, Judge Conrad commended Stewart’s family for their composure and noted that “there’s room for forgiveness and room for accountability.”

When given the opportunity to speak for himself Towles told the court he took “full responsibility” for his actions and wished that he could undo what he had done. Towles also apologized for the pain he caused Stewart’s family and wished they could find peace.

Those words “can go a long way,” Judge Conrad told Towles, and in handing down the sentence he encouraged him to live an “exemplary life” behind bars teaching young men not to follow his path of anger and violence.

The then-20-year-old Towles had opened fire on a group of people outside the renovated fire hall in the first block of North Fourth Street after he had been ejected from the venue for causing a fight. Stewart was fatally shot in the head during the chaos.

As part of his sentence Towles waived all appeal rights and must also pay nearly $12,000 in restitution.

Chief of Appeals Ande Gonzalez and Chief of the Major Crimes Unit Mark Fetterman prosecuted the case.

Columbia Borough Police Officer Bryan Keyser filed the charges.