Teen Who Attacked Man Outside of Anatolia Café Sentenced to 7 Years

A 17-year-old from Shaker Heights charged with was sentenced to seven years in prison today.

Edwonte Bryant pleaded guilty Jan. 18 to felonious assault after originally entering a plea of .

Maria Russo, spokeswoman for Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Bill Mason's Office, said felonious assault charges carry two to eight year prison sentences.

He was also sentenced for breaking into two houses in Maple Heights on March 31. Bryant pleaded guilty to burglary, theft and receiving stolen property charges Jan. 18. He faced a maximum of 28.5 years in prison for all charges if he would have received the maximum for all and served them consecutively, according to prosecutors.

Cleveland Heights Mayor Ed Kelley and Cleveland Heights Detective Thomas Decaro spoke at the hearing, which was in Judge John O’Donnell’s courtroom. Kelley's remarks are below:

My name is Edward Kelley and I am a lifelong resident of Cleveland Heights, and for the past 14 years, proud to be the Mayor of our community.

I am speaking today on behalf of my community to encourage this court to sentence the defendant, Edwonte Bryant, to the maximum sentence permissible by law. This attack on one of our residents has affected not only Dr. (Michael) Madison and his family and friends but the entire neighborhood and the commercial district of Cedar Lee.

Safety in any community is a top priority. Cleveland Heights has worked hard to keep our streets and neighborhoods safe. Our residents should be able to walk home from a restaurant in the early evening and not feel afraid. On the night of the attack, Dr. Madison was stalked by the defendant and made to feel vulnerable and afraid.

This incident has disturbed the fabric of a neighborhood and our City. I again ask you, Judge O’Donnell, to sentence the defendant, Edwonte Bryant, to the maximum sentence permissible by law for his crime. Thank you.

On June 18, Madison, of Cleveland Heights, was having dinner with his wife and two others at the before the attack occurred, said Ryan Miday, former spokesman for the prosecutor's office, in July. They saw a group of teens outside and decided to wait a few minutes before leaving. 

When they walked out, Bryant jumped out from behind a bush, turned around to a group of his friends nearby and said, "Let's do them," Miday said. 

Madison, 56 at the time, told the group to back off, and he, his wife and two friends began to quickly walk away, trying to avoid a confrontation.

Madison called 911 as they were walking away. Bryant approached them again, and tried to grab Madison's wallet. He called 911 again, and the teenager pulled out an object from his pants and hit his face with it. Madison fell on the ground, and as he was lying there, Bryant searched his pockets. The teen ran away, empty-handed. 

Later, came and arrested the suspect. Madison suffered broken bones on his face and had to have six stitches as a result of his injuries. 

Bryant was indicted on charges of felonious assault, aggravated robbery and kidnapping.

The prosecutor's office filed motions to take the 17-year-old into custody and move him to adult court, Miday said in July.

"We file (these) charges when we believe the severity of the crime warrants trying the juvenile as an adult," Miday said, adding that other factors are taken into consideration as well.

The court decided to Sept. 1, Russo said.