COLUMBUS, Ohio — Gregory Coleman Jr.’s mother and father spoke up in court Friday nearly two years after their son was beaten to death outside a bar in the Short North.
Dwayne Cummings and Chrystian Foster were both charged with murder and sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 15 years. Cummings' sentencing happened in February with Foster’s taking place Friday in a Franklin County Court of Commons Pleas courtroom filled with family members.
According to the prosecutor's office, on Sept. 5, 2022, Cummings sucker punched Coleman outside Julep. Surveillance video shows Cummings punching Coleman in the face and Coleman was then knocked back onto the road.
Both men reportedly continued to beat Coleman while he was unconscious on the ground. He died 12 days later.
Geraldine Coleman, Gregory’s mother, said during the sentencing that Foster has caused her family a lot of pain.
“He does not know the devastation he brought to this family. The hurt, the pain,” said Geraldine.
She said her heart is broken not only for herself but for Gregory’s 10-year-old daughter who has to live without a father.
“His daughter, our granddaughter, she’s hurt so bad. She loved her father, and he adored her. You took that from her,” she said. “You have done so much damage, I could never forgive you for what you’ve done.”
Gregory’s father, Gregory Coleman, said the guilty verdict means justice for his son.
“I guess I’ll go through the rest of my life without him, but I’ll always remember this courtroom and all the good that happened to get justice for him,” his father said.
Gregory’s father said the men who killed his son knew what they were doing when they beat his son. Now, he said he will hold onto the memories that nobody can take away from him.
“He was just all you could ask for in a son. I loved him more than anyone would ever know,” he said.
Foster got a chance to speak to the court before his sentencing. He told the court he did not know Gregory was unconscious when he hit the ground and apologized.
“That night was a rough night, lots of things went wrong. Things I never intended to happen,” Foster said. “I made a mistake, and I apologize for my mistake.”
Edward Hastie, Victims’ Rights Council for the Coleman family, said the family is relieved.
“This verdict is really the beginning of the Coleman family being able to find justice, being able to find some peace,” he said.
Foster’s attorney said he plans to appeal the decision.