17 August 2023 , 07:06
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The teen found guilty of her boyfriend's murder posted tributes to him online in the wake of his death, it has emerged.
Mackenzie Shirilla was 17 when she murdered her boyfriend Dominic Russo, 20, along with his friend Davion Flanagan, 19, by slamming the car they were in into a wall at 100mph. Shrilla miraculously survived the crash, but now faces life in prison after she was found guilty of murder, aggravated vehicular homicide and felonious assault.
Before she was arrested for the deaths, she paid tribute to Mr Russo, saying: "You are the last person who deserved this... you had such a perfect life ahead of you."
She drove her Toyota Camry into a corner of the Plidco Building in Strongsville, Ohio, in July 2022. Prosecutors said her relationship with Dominic was difficult. Shirilla was found guilty by a judge in a bench trial after horrific footage showed the car driving under the speed limit before suddenly accelerating to 100mph.
The twisted remains of the car (WKYC3)In a tribute to her boyfriend on his online obituary, she said: "I miss you nug. I still feel like your [sic] just going to walk in the door any second. I miss your laugh your perfect smile. I feel your energy around me every day I just wish it was physical.
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"God u are the last person to deserve this you had such a perfect life ahead of you. I wish I told you all this more. Please wait for me."
Shrilla's parents also left a tribute to Mr Russo, which read: "She loved you, we loved you. My whole family loved you. Forever in our hearts... forever."
Police said Shirilla planned her route before the crash as she and Dominic began arguing a lot including one incident in which friends had to lead Dominic away from his girlfriend's car. His mother and brother testified against Shirilla and said she was "unfair" towards him.
Mackenzie, 17, with her then 20-year-old boyfriend Dominic Russo
Shirilla with Mr Russo in happier times (Facebook)One friend said they heard Shriialla threatening to key her partner's car, while another said she said she would deliberately crash it with both of them inside. Friends also testified Shirilla, Dominic and Davion had smoked marijuana at a friend's house on the night of the crash.
Prosecutors said Davion was simply unfortunate to be in the car at the time of the incident. "He was friends with Dominic, and Davion was just cargo. He was just a suitcase in the backseat in the defendant’s mind," said prosecutor Michael O'Malley.
Davion Flanagan was unlucky to be in the carIn a statement before the verdict, Dominic's family said they wanted "justice" not revenge for the murder.
"This has been an absolutely devastating loss for our families. We feel that Mackenzie is a threat to both herself and the community if she were to be released," Dominic's mum said. Shirilla faces a life sentence and will not be up for parole until 2038. She is due to be sentenced on August 21.