Cedar Rapids man to serve 45 years for killing Clifton Sparks

Sy'Rai Flowers, 6, said in a victim's impact statement Friday that 'losing my daddy when I was 4 hurt me very much.”

Her favorite day to spend with her father Clifton Sparks was Father's Day, but now she doesn't have him.

Sparks, 31, was robbed and fatally shot by Robert L. Nash IV, 24, on Feb. 3, 2014. Nash pleaded guilty to lesser charges and was sentenced Friday to 45 years in prison.

Several family members and friend of Sparks and Nash attended the hearing, and Sparks' former girlfriend and his sisters made victim's impact statements, asking 6th Judicial District Chief Judge Patrick Grady to sentence him to the maximum prison time.

Nash declined to speak before the judge sentenced him.

Nash, originally charged with first-degree murder, made an Alford plea to voluntary manslaughter, second-degree robbery, intimidation with a dangerous weapon and trafficking in stolen weapons as a habitual offender.

In making an Alford plea the defendant maintains his innocence but admits the prosecution has enough evidence to prove his guilt.

Nash arranged to meet Sparks that night to buy drugs but instead he brought a loaded firearm with the intent to steal the drugs or money from him, according to the criminal complaint. Nash fired his gun at Sparks in a car, shooting him once in the chest about 11:40 p.m. on Feb. 2, 2014. Nash then took the body to 1800 block of B Ave. NE and disposed of the weapon, in an attempt to conceal his involvement. Police found the body about 12:30 a.m. in the street.

Darlesha Kearney, Sy'Rai's mother, said in her victim's statement that it was the worst call of her life when she heard of Sparks' death.

'Sy'Rai woke up because she heard me crying…the first thing she said was ‘Mommy, where's Daddy'? At that moment I had no words for her because I didn't believe it.”

Kearney said she not only lost Sparks that day but also 'my little girl went away.” Sy'Rai was afraid to be out of her sight after his death. She received calls from school that her daughter was crying and screaming. She was taken to counseling and diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder. Her daughter continues to have problems at school when others talk about their fathers.

First Assistant Nick Maybanks said this was the best resolution in this case. This entire case could have been avoided, if these two men hadn't become involved with the 'drug culture.”

'Clifton Sparks didn't have to die and Robert Nash didn't have to be here in court today,” Maybanks said. 'Nash agreed to buy marijuana but didn't intend to pay, instead he planned to rob Sparks. And Sparks also brought a gun because he was involved in a dangerous (activity). Neither should have been there. But that's what can happen with those involved with drugs – they either end up dead or in prison.”

Nash must serve a five year minimum on the intimidation with a dangerous weapon and three years on the trafficking charges before being eligible for parole. He will also have to pay restitution of at least, over $170,000 and possibility more. The state has 30 days to submit restitution to the court.