MAN GETS 10 YEARS FOR KILLING

One-time Reporter Fought Drug Dealers

Brian Tyson went from covering crime to committing one, said the prosecutor.

The 42-year-old former reporter for the Baltimore Afro-American newspaper,
was sentenced yesterday to 10 to 30 years in prison for fatally shooting
Damon Milner, 23, near C and Albanus streets, on Sept. 23, 1997.

Tyson said he acted in self-defense.

At the time, Tyson, of East Sheldon Street in Feltonville, was active in
trying to combat drug dealing in his neighborhood.

Police said Tyson was at war with the drug dealers and was about to testify
against an accused robber.

Cops said Tyson, whose home was shot up about seven months prior to the
killing, had provided information about a drug gang in his area, and was
being harassed.

Tyson operated a hot dog cart and ran other small businesses.

Before being convicted of third-degree murder in December, witnesses said
Tyson suddenly showed up in a driveway and began shooting at Milner, who
was sitting on a step.

Assistant District Attorney Judith Frankel Rubino said Tyson fired five
times. She said there was no evidence that anyone else fired a gun at the
scene.

Tyson, who has no prior record, claimed he chased two other men into the
driveway after his vehicle was set on fire.

When he heard a gunshot, Tyson said he thought his life was in danger, and
began shooting.

"There had been an ongoing feud between the defendant and some drug
dealers, and he said the decedent was friendly with the drug dealers,"
Rubino said.

"This was an unprovoked killing," added Rubino.

"I did not come to your state to cause trouble," Tyson told Common Pleas
Judge Jane Cutler Greenspan before the sentence.

"I understand that's what you think," said Greenspan. "But you caused a
whole lot of trouble."

"You committed a murder here, and we in Pennsylvania take that very
seriously, indeed," the judge added. "I agree with the jury's verdict."

Greenspan told Tyson that even though a gun was found on Milner after his
death, "There was every indication that it had not been used in any way
shape or form."

During the trial, Greenspan fined the Inquirer and the Philadelphia Tribune
$37,000 each when they lost a fight to protect unpublished interview
information about the case.

Both are appealing the fines.