Retaliation Killing Gets Cleveland Woman 23-27 Years In Prison

CLEVELAND — Kelly Quarles was sentenced to prison Wednesday for killing the father of her niece's children in what prosecutors defined as "retaliatory killings."

Quarles was sentenced to a range of 23 to 27 years in prison. Her co-defendant, Lamar Polk Jr., was previously sentenced to 22 to 27 years in prison.

“These individuals took it upon themselves to act as judge, jury, and executioner,” Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael O’Malley said. “Both families will now suffer as a result of these senseless actions.”

On July 21, 2019, Quarles and Polk were told Quarles' niece had been involved in a domestic violence incident. The niece's partner had her credit card and keys. Quarles and Polk went looking for the partner.

They found the man walking down E. 61st Street. The three began to argue and when the niece's partner tried to run away, Quarles and Polk fired several gunshots at him and then drove away.

Cleveland police and EMS found the man near E. 61st. He had been shot in the head and was pronounced dead shortly afterwards.

Cleveland police connected Quarles and Polk to the shooting using physical evidence, prosecutors said.

Quarles pleaded guilty to the following charges:

• One count of involuntary manslaughter
• One count of discharge of a firearm on or near prohibited premises
• Two counts of improperly handling firearms in a motor vehicle
• One count of tampering with evidence

Polk pleaded guilty to the following charges:

• One count of voluntary manslaughter
• One count of discharge of a firearm on or near prohibited premises
• One count of improperly handling firearms in a motor vehicle
• One count of having weapons under disability