Man gets 45 years for murdering friend because of catalytic converters

ST. LOUIS – A man convicted of killing his friend during an argument in 2022 has been sentenced to 45 years behind bars.

A judge convicted 22-year-old Cleveland V. Washington Jr. to more than forty years in prison. He was convicted in June of killing his friend during a arguing about catalytic converters.

In June, a jury found Washington guilty of manslaughter and armed criminal action in the shooting of 23-year-old Deionta McCurry. The shooting occurred on the evening of August 21, 2022, in the 3600 block of Montana Street, located in the Dutchtown neighborhood of south St. Louis.

Prosecutors say the shooting occurred during an argument over the best way to sell stolen catalytic converters, when Washington pulled out a gun and shot McCurry. During the trial, Washington said he killed McCurry in self-defense when McCurry tried to rob him.

The jury recommended 30 years for second-degree murder and 15 years for armed criminal action, with consecutive sentences, which the judge accepted. On Friday, Washington indicated that he plans to appeal the ruling.

Washington still has a pending case after prosecutors say he was among a group of incarcerated individuals accused of taking a 73-year-old city jail guard held hostage at St. Louis City Justice Center in August 2023.