Pontiac man convicted in deadly shooting that stemmed from argument after he spit in victim's sink

PONTIAC (WWJ) — A Pontiac man has been convicted of shooting a man to death, a conflict prosecutors say stemmed from him spitting in a sink.

An Oakland County jury on Wednesday found Sadarie Donalson guilty of multiple charges, including second-degree murder for the fatal shooting of 33-year-old Cornelius Jones. A co-defendant in the case, Dewuan Benion, previously pleaded no contest to assault with intent to murder.

The charges stemmed from a shooting at Jones’ apartment on Carriage Circle in Pontiac on Feb. 21. Donalson and Benion went to a party at the victim’s apartment that night, according to the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office.

At some point, Benion got into an argument with Jones after Donalson spit in the victim’s sink.

Witnesses told police they heard an argument between Jones and Donalson, centered on “Jones’ displeasure with Donalson for spitting in the sink,” the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office said back in February .

Donalson and Benion left the apartment after being told to leave. But they both came back into the apartment and Benion got into a fight with Jones, authorities said.

After the fight stopped, Donalson shot the victim twice. Law enforcement responded to the scene and both defendants were taken into custody.

“This was a senseless killing stemming from a trivial conflict,” Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald said, per a press release. “I commend the work of law enforcement and the trial team in holding these defendants accountable for this killing.”

Donalson was convicted of all charges, including second-degree murder, carrying a concealed weapon, felony firearm and resisting and obstruction a police officer.

He will remain in the Oakland County Jail until his sentencing hearing, which is scheduled for Oct. 10. Second-degree murder is punishable by up to life in prison. The CCW charge carries a punishment of up to five years in prison, while the other two charges are punishable by up to two years.

Benion was sentenced earlier this month to a year in jail, with credit for 169 days already served.

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