Defense seeks release for man convicted in 2006 Tacoma shooting when he was 17

A man sentenced to more than 60 years in prison for a deadly Tacoma nightclub shooting in 2006 will be resentenced Friday, with prosecutors and defense attorneys recommending significantly shorter prison terms, according to court documents.

Verrick Vere Yarbrough, now 37, was 17 when a shooting outside Club Friday in downtown Tacoma left Rhaczio Simms dead and two other people injured.

Yarbrough was convicted of first-degree murder, first-degree assault and second-degree unlawful possession of a firearm. He received a sentence of 724 months, or 60 years and four months, in June 2007.

Both prosecutors and defense attorneys now agree that Yarbrough's original sentence did not adequately consider his age at the time of the shooting.

However, the two sides disagree about how much his sentence should be reduced.

In court documents filed Tuesday, the Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney's Office recommended a 30-year prison sentence, citing Yarbrough's age when the crime occurred and his efforts toward rehabilitation while incarcerated.

Defense attorneys are requesting a 20-year sentence, which would allow Yarbrough to receive nearly ...