STRONGSVILLE, OHIO: Davion Flanagan's adoptive parents, Scott and Jamie, are finally speaking out against Mackenzie Shirilla, who was responsible for the deliberate high-speed crash that tragically took Flanagan's life.
Flanagan,19, died on July 31st when Shirilla, instead of taking him home, deliberately crashed the vehicle into a building at an alarming speed of 100mph.
This twisted act was an attempt to harm her boyfriend, Dominic Russo, who was also in the car.
Tragically, Flanagan was seated in the back and suffered fatal injuries. While Shirilla survived the crash, both Flanagan and Russo did not.
Shirilla is now serving time in prison and will be eligible for parole in 15 years, a sentence that has deeply disappointed Scott and Jamie, who view her as a remorseless bully.
Their silence during most of the trial has now been replaced by their expression of utter disgust at Shirilla's actions and what they perceive as an inadequate 15-year sentence.
Davion Flanagan's parents open up about Mackenzie Shirilla's sentencing
"Davion was such an amazing person, but she gave him no more consideration than a piece of luggage in the backseat," Jamie Flanagan told the Daily Mail on Saturday, September 23.
While the Flanagans remained relatively quiet during Shirilla's trial, they are now speaking out against what they see as an inadequately light sentence for the fatal crash.
"Accidents happen but this was clearly not an accident," Scott Flanagan said. "In the beginning, we thought maybe OK, but as the picture started to be painted, it was clear — our son was murdered."
Shirilla was convicted of double murder but is serving her sentences at the same time, allowing her to be eligible for parole in her early 30s.
This means Shirilla could walk free after 15 years if she is paroled.
"There were two young men who died that night. But she’s serving the sentence for killing one person. Not two. That is hard to take," Scott says.
"We'll be talking about this again in 15 years, actually a little less because she's done time already. But in 30 years, I’ll be in my late 70s and I’d still be there and my girls would be my age. That feels a little more fair," Jamie said.
Shirilla has consistently claimed the crash was an accident, stating that she does not remember the events leading up to it.
The couple does not wish for her to spend the rest of her life in prison, however, they are seeking accountability from her.
"We have strong faith and Davion did as well. We are working on forgiveness but the complete lack of empathy or regard for his life is just shocking."
"It’s hard. We don’t want vengeance but it’s also very difficult to forgive someone in denial. And she is very much in denial," she added.
Mackenzie Shirilla was a 'bully' and 'narcissist'
Davion was beloved by everyone at school, while Mackenzie had a reputation for being a bully.
"My middle daughter knew her in school and she was very much a bully. Someone who would be interested in demeaning people and humiliating them," Scott said.
"She would tell people they should commit suicide when they were depressed. She was a narcissistic, not nice person," he said.
"All Davion did was ask for a ride home," he continued. "Something exploded, from the time she turned calmly onto the street until her gunning it and crashing into the building."
"Something happened and he was absolutely in the wrong place at the wrong time," his father said. "It’s heartbreaking and hard to wrap your head around. The fact he was in that backseat."
"The other boy did not deserve this either but our son was just really, he had nothing to do with the whole situation. The callousness… how could someone do that?" his mother said.
