Demond Tally was killed early Feb. 10, 2019.
Demond Tally was 45 years old when he was gunned down walking from then-City Council President Marty Small’s home to his house nearby.
A man convicted of killing him was sentenced to 45 years in prison Monday.
Shamar Scott, 29, was convicted in March, following a trial that included testimony from now-Mayor Small, who was the victim's best friend.
Small's testimony was at times emotional but gave no insight into the killing.
Tally had stopped by Small's home after a party Small hosted at Harrah's Atlantic City on Feb. 9, 2019.
Tally had left his phone at his friend and neighbor's before heading to the party.
Small met him on the porch at about 4 a.m. Feb. 10, 2019, gave Tally the phone and shut the door.
That is when he heard the gunshots. When he opened the door, his "brother" already was mortally wounded.
Tally was a grieving father at the time of his death, trying to find those responsible for killing his son, Demond Cottman, who was killed outside the Hamilton Mall at about 1 a.m. Nov. 25, 2016, as people began to gather for Black Friday sales.
Steven Martinez is charged in both killings.
He put out a bounty on Tally due to an ongoing beef between the two sides, the state alleged.
Martinez was shot days before outside the Lighthouse Plaza., Assistant Prosecutor Paige Jedlicka said.
ShotSpotter registered 16 shots, BreakingAC reported at that time. No one was struck.
No one was charged in that shooting.
At about 5:13 a.m. Feb. 10, 2019, Tally was struck seven times along Presbyterian Avenue.
It would be years before arrests were made, with Martinez, Scott and Deshawn Hose charged with murder.
Scott was the first to go to trial.
judge Donna Taylor banned all electronic equipment during the trial due to safety concerns, including not allowing media to take photos.
