Suspect in fatal beating receives 40 years in prison

Tribune Staff Report

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Dewange Dotson (Photo provided)

By Beth Boehne

Story Created: Jul 3, 2009 at 10:02 AM EST

Story Updated: Jul 3, 2009 at 10:02 AM EST

SOUTH BEND — A 41-year-old man who pleaded guilty to beating another man to death with a cinder block has been sentenced to 40 years behind bars.

Dewange Dotson, of South Bend, entered into a plea agreement with the state earlier this month, pleading guilty to voluntary manslaughter, a Class A felony. The state, meanwhile, agreed to drop a count of murder against Dotson.

On Thursday, Dotson was given the recommended sentence of 50 years in prison, with 10 years suspended.

Dotson killed 48-year-old Larry Leonard in August 2008 during a feud related to a woman, according to past reports. Leonard died from internal bleeding caused by "multiple blunt force trauma to the torso."

As part of Dotson’s sentence, he will be required to submit to an appropriate substance abuse treatment program and evaluation.

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