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WILKES-BARRE — Two men accused in the shooting death of a popular local DJ have been found guilty.

A Luzerne County jury on Monday afternoon rendered judgment on Roberto “Ruthless” Battle and David “D-Rock” Nealy, who were facing open counts of criminal homicide, along with charges of conspiracy to commit criminal homicide, in connection with the Oct. 13, 2013, death Michael “DJ Mo” Onley.

Both men were convicted of first degree murder and conspiracy. Sentencing was set for next month.

The jury received the case just after noon and took only about 90 minutes to deliver a verdict. While the verdict was read, Nealy held his head in his hands, an open Bible on his table.

Onley was shot and killed by a drive-by shooting in the parking lot of the former Outsiders Bar, located on South Main Street in Wilkes-Barre. Onley was killed by a single bullet to the head that prosecutors say was fired by Battle as Nealy drove the vehicle.

During testimony last week, prosecutors attempted to paint the shooting as a calculated attack, including witness testimony that suggested Battle bragged about having “shot up the place.”

Nealy, testifying against the advice of his attorney, Thomas Sundmaker, passionately told jurors Friday that he was driving as Battle shot out the window at the bar, but that he didn’t know Battle was going to do it until after it had happened.

Battle did not take the stand, but in her closing arguments Friday, his defense attorney, Allyson Kacmarski, suggested it wasn’t her client who pulled the trigger, but actually a third individual, Shakim Varrick, who was the owner of the gun used in the alleged murder.

No witness testimony during the trial suggested Varrick was in the car, and Varrick himself and other witnesses testified he was on his way back to Wilkes-Barre from New York City when the shooting took place.

‘Justice for DJ Mo’

After the verdict was read, Assistant District Attorney Jarrett Ferentino said this was the verdict he knew prosecutors could get.

“This case was five years in the making,” he said. “Today we achieved justice for DJ Mo — Michael Onley — and his family, with both defendants being convicted of first degree murder.”

Ferentino said it was a “humbling” experience to help bring about Monday’s verdict.

“After waiting this long — they say, ‘justice delayed is often justice denied,’ but not in this case,” he said.

The attorney called the shooting senseless, using the defendants’ street names as he referred to them.

“Ruthless and D-Rock were disrespected,” Ferentino said, explaining that Battle’s removal from the club served as the pair’s motive. “And quite honestly, they believed they were gonna answer that with shooting up the club.”

District Attorney Stefanie Salavantis also commented on the verdict in a press release sent out later in the afternoon.

“After years of diligent investigative work by multiple law enforcement agencies and county prosecutors, Michael Onley’s loved ones—for the first time—can rest knowing that Onley’s killers have been convicted and will soon be sentenced,” Salavantis wrote.

‘Not happy about it’

Sundmaker told reporters after the verdict that he and Kacmarski were not happy about the verdict.

“Although both defense (attorneys) thought it should’ve been a third degree, there was certainly not any intention,” he said.

“It’s a tragic case; a very good person got killed and two other unfortunate individuals were charged with it,” he said.

While Sundmaker said there are “always grounds for an appeal,” he said it was too early to comment on the defense team’s next step.

Kacmarski was not available for comment after the reading of the verdict.

‘Overwhelmed’

But the day was perhaps more emotional for Najada Pilgrim than anyone else.

While Wilkes-Barre knew her son as DJ Mo, in her heart Pilgrim will always think of him by the name she called him as he grew up: “Mike-Mike.”

She echoed some of the comments made by Ferentino about her son — the attorney had said Onley used his community status to promote a message of peace and non-violence in Wilkes-Barre — to say she was amazed by how much he meant to the area.

“Oh my goodness, we are, like, overwhelmed by how much he meant to people. I know how much he meant to me,” she said. “He’s my heart; he’s always going to be my heart.”

Pilgrim said she’s happy that, five years after Onley’s death, the family can finally heal.

“I think this is the beginning of the end,” she said. “Nothing can take Mike’s memory, but this is a start. This is a start.”

While they were being led out of the courthouse, Nealy and Battle didn’t have much to say.

Nealy, obviously emotional, said “They just convicted an innocent man to life.”

Battle, though, was silent — a far cry from the outbursts he had at earlier hearings in his legal process.

The pair will be back in court for their sentencing hearing on Jan. 31, 2019. Although it’s not currently certain what sentence they will receive on the conspiracy charge, first degree murder carries an automatic life sentence in Pennsylvania.

Defendant David Nealy, seen being transported back to the county lockup following his homicide conviction on monday, continued to claim his innocence while being led out of the courthouse.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/web1_48947178_306320843311203_3422067329696006144_n.jpg.optimal.jpgDefendant David Nealy, seen being transported back to the county lockup following his homicide conviction on monday, continued to claim his innocence while being led out of the courthouse. Patrick Kernan | Times Leader

A silent Roberto Battle is led out of the Luzerne County Courthouse Monday afternoon following his conviction in connection with the 2013 shooting death of Michael “DJ Mo” Onley.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/web1_48371786_297285850909454_2939722105555517440_n.jpg.optimal.jpgA silent Roberto Battle is led out of the Luzerne County Courthouse Monday afternoon following his conviction in connection with the 2013 shooting death of Michael “DJ Mo” Onley. Patrick Kernan | Times Leader

By Patrick Kernan

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Reach Patrick Kernan at 570-991-6386 or on Twitter @PatKernan