Convicted murderer smiles at sentencing

Deandre Bandy could be seen smiling in court Thursday, even after a judge sentenced him to spend the rest of his life in prison.

The 21-year-old Covington man was convicted last month of murder and robbery charges in a daytime shooting at an Over-the-Rhine playground that prosecutors said was drug-related. During the trial's opening statements, Hamilton County Assistant Prosecutor Robert Vick said the shooting was witnessed by people who were out for walks and bike rides.

In sentencing Bandy, Hamilton County Common Pleas Judge Steve Martin told him: “You’re there on a public playground to buy drugs. The victim was on a public playground to sell drugs – none of this is good.”

“But it didn’t warrant a death sentence,” Martin added, “which is what you gave him.”

Justin Madaris, 21, was killed in the shooting. Bandy, himself, was wounded. A person who witnesses said was with Bandy has not yet been found, Vick told jurors in opening statements. The jury convicted Bandy of aggravated murder and aggravated robbery charges.

The incident happened April 24, 2015 near East 12th Street on a basketball court at Peaslee Park.

Bandy and the second man, both armed with guns, approached Madaris and his brother, according to court documents. There was a struggle and both Bandy and Madaris ended up being shot.

Madaris and his brother, Daniel, had been at the park playing with the Daniel's infant son that day. Vick said Daniel ran from the scene with the baby in his arms. It was Daniel who shot Bandy with a gun he'd knocked out of the unidentified man's hand, he said.

Bandy maintains he shot Madaris in self-defense.

After being found guilty March 14, prosecutors said Bandy talked back to spectators who had said something to him.

“I’m glad he’s dead,” was Bandy’s reply, according to one of his attorneys.