Elyria man convicted in 2021 slaying of Lorain man

A Lorain County Common Pleas jury has convicted an Elyria man of shooting and killing another man in Lorain in July last year. Sebastian Fleckenstein, 23, of Middle Avenue, is facing a possible sentence of life in prison with the possibility of parole after 15 years from visiting Judge Thomas Pokorny after being convicted of murder during a trial that lasted June 21-24. Additional prison time is possible. Sentencing is set for Friday. Fleckenstein was being held in Lorain County Jail on $750,000 cash bond, according to jail records. Chief Assistant Lorain County Prosecutor Chris Pierre said the jury convicted Fleckenstein of murder, discharging a firearm on or near prohibited premises, firearms specifications and related charges. Fleckenstein was found not guilty of purposeful murder, felony obstruction and felony receiving stolen property, Pierre said. A message seeking comment on the case was left for Fleckenstein's attorney, Anthony Nici, who asked the court to preserve evidence for a possible appeal. The Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force and Lorain Police Department arrested Fleckenstein on July 13, 2021, after he was accused of shooting and killing Heriberto Laboy-Sanchez, 29, of Lorain 11 days earlier. Laboy-Sanchez was found dead in the street on the 2300 block of Apple Avenue at about 11:30 p.m. the night of the shooting after officers were called out to the scene. Lorain police quickly recovered the murder weapon, which had been reported stolen. Fleckenstein was charged with murder, felonious assault, involuntary manslaughter, discharge of a firearm on or near prohibited premises, tampering with evidence, receiving stolen property and obstructing official business in an August indictment. He previously served four years in prison after being convicted of felonious assault and aggravated riot in Stark County in May 2017. He was released on parole in February 2021. Contact Dave O'Brien at (440) 329-7129 or dobrien@chroniclet.com or on Twitter @daveobrienCT.