A Sharon man has been sentenced to up to 2 years in state prison for his involvement in last year's beating death of a Sharpsville man.

Jerrold Lee Allen, 31, of 1356 Heinz Ave., was sentenced to 1 to 2 years each on charges of simple assault and recklessly endangering another person, which will be served concurrently. Allen got credit for time served on a charge of making fictitious reports, after already spending 261 days in jail.

The charges stem from the Nov. 16 death of Thomas E. Blakely, 39, of 44 S. Third St. Allen fought with Blakely outside the Blue Ribbon Grille, 731 Broadway, Farrell.

Allen was originally charged with felony aggravated assault, but pleaded guilty to three misdemeanor charges. He admitted punching Blakely in the face and kicking him once in the side after he had fallen to the sidewalk.

During sentencing Tuesday before Mercer County Common Pleas Judge Thomas R. Dobson, prosecuting attorney Robert Kochems said Allen's side of the story changed, resulting in the additional charge.

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