ST. LOUIS, MO (March 14, 2025) —Demesha Coleman, 37, received a recommended jury sentence of 13 years in prison after being found guilty of involuntary manslaughter and armed criminal action in connection with a fatal shooting at the Speedie gas station in the 8000 block of North Broadway on December 21, 2022. The incident occurred when Coleman, in an attempt to reclaim her stolen vehicle, engaged in a shootout that resulted in two deaths and one injury.
Earlier that night, Coleman's Hyundai SUV was stolen from her St. Louis County home. After tracking the vehicle using GPS, she contacted St. Louis County 911 twice but chose to pursue the car on her own. Accompanied by her 19-year-old son, Coleman followed the stolen vehicle to the gas station, where they met a third armed man.
At the gas station, Coleman and the third man approached the Hyundai, occupied by four people, and opened fire. A gun battle ensued, killing Darius Jackson, 19, who was a passenger in the stolen car, and Joseph Farrar, 49, an innocent bystander.
Coleman's defense argued she acted in self-defense, claiming she fired shots in response to a passenger in the stolen vehicle pointing a gun at her. However, after six hours of deliberation, the jury convicted Coleman of involuntary manslaughter and armed criminal action.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant Circuit Attorneys Terrence O'Toole Jr. and Bret Rich.
"This case underscores the risks of taking matters into your own hands," said St. Louis Circuit Attorney Gabe Gore, "Mrs. Coleman's reckless actions tragically resulted in two deaths and a critical injury. The jury's recommended sentence holds the defendant responsible for this needless loss of life."
Coleman's case number is 2222-CR01944-01.
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For Immediate Release
For more information contact:
Amber Raub
Public Information Officer
St. Louis Circuit Attorney's Office
rauba@stlouiscao.org
314-589-6233 (office)
314-312-9912 (cell)
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